A Giraffe in the making...

You may well ask about the meaning of my blog title "A Giraffe in the Making"..... I came across this analogy in my current interests and studies of a highly compassionate and effective form of communication that I am learning known as: Non Violent Communication (NVC) - A Language of Compassion. To understand this concept in its entirety is to learn how to truly identify ones underlying needs in situations and to consciously choose ones behaviour in the present moment that is in alignment with those needs. In learning this beautiful form of communication I am better equipped to create and transform the relationships in my life with authenticity, with autonomy,with love, fun and with harmony. I have come to the realisation (with sadness) that I have learned behaviours that were strategies to meet my need for protection. For example: defensive or aggressive behaviour in relationship with myself and other people when handling challenging situations led to an inability to connect to my real needs for nurturing, love,connection, acceptance, belonging, self-expression and intimacy. My purpose is to develop my ability to have quality connections within my relationships and to value the needs of myself and others to achieve true interdependency. Why a Giraffe? While learning about NVC in varius workshops attended we were introduced to two animals used in analogy to describe the type of communication we engage in. The Giraffe is animal with the largest heart (of land animals), they are very tall and are able to survey their surrounds with clarity, their ears are able to hear a great deal more at such a height. Heart = Feelings/Compassion, Ears = ability to hear your needs and those of others with clarity free of evaluations and judgements. For more information go to www.cnvc.com the website for Centre of Non Violent Communication - Marshall Rosenberg is the Founder and extraordinary and visionary individual. Additionally my weight has crept up over the years and am currently the heaviest I have been. I do believe this too is a physical representation of what is going on inside of me. I am learning to bring about a balance of my Mind, Body and Soul by becoming more aware and conscious of my choices with respect to spiritual, emotional, mental and physical well being. I am a Giraffe in the making...