Emotional First Aid

In everyone’s life, times of crisis are not only inevitable but necessary. It’s how we face these times — especially as a community — that matters. Every crisis is an opportunity for connection: for deepening relationships with each other and ourselves.

Our culture doesn’t always put relationships first. It’s made for getting the job done at any cost. And the price, when we’re not there for each other, can be high. Fortunately, each of us has the power to heal each other with no more than deep, mindful attention. By simply listening, we can show people that they matter. We can remind each other of what makes life worth living — before it’s too late.

Being truly present for someone lets them know they are not alone. It lets them know there's hope. It says, without words, “you’re going to get through this. It won’t last forever. You’re going to be ok.”

Our natural ability to comfort and relate is called empathy. Empathy is the basis of Nonviolent Communication (NVC). For nearly fifty years, NVC has been used to successfully de-escalate crisis situations in over sixty countries, including Rwanda, Palestine, and Afghanistan. It can work at your workplace, with your family, and in your romantic relationships (for examples, see here).

Come learn how to face life’s challenges and to help others to do the same. Through a variety of group games and exercises, stories, movie excerpts, and honest sharing, we’ll explore:

• how emotional distress can lead to self-awareness, connection, and trust
• how to stay calm and compassionate in tense situations
• how to foster a feeling of safety for everyone involved
• why people get stuck and how to help them get unstuck
• simple techniques for snapping out of fight-or-flight
• the difference between constructive and destructive self-talk
• how to translate self-judgment into self-love
• honoring each individual’s unique experience and self-expression
• listening without judgment and hearing judgment without being triggered
• hearing the “please” behind people’s words and behavior
• helping people shift from what they don’t want to what they do want
• the difference between sympathy and empathy
• helping people to get in touch with their feelings and needs
• expressing appreciation in ways people can take it in
• directing people to appropriate resources in their community
• self-care before, during, and after difficult situations
• practicing self-empathy to process and heal from hurtful remarks

Emotional crises can be some of the most painful and the most rewarding times in a person’s life. If you can simply hold space for people, things will change for the better — every time. You will have less drama in your life, experience more mutual support, and prevent tragedies before they happen. Together, you can make your community more compassionate, your home a more loving place to be.

 

Take courage friends. The way is often hard, the path is never clear, and the stakes are very high.
Take courage. For deep down, there is another truth: you are not alone.

Wayne B. Arnason