Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
made me aware of my given moment. With this technique, I stay in the present moment with a
focus to the sounds of soft music or peaceful silence. This mindfulness activity gives me the
inspiration to live in the present. This meditation has inspired calmness to my daily frustrations
of life.
One significant contribution was my presentation on conflict resolution. Several of the
students stated on my feedback that they liked the examples given on how to solve conflicts. In a
group presentation, I used a book, Changing the Conversation: The 17 Principles of Conflict
Resolution by Caspersen, (2014). She stated, You cant change how other people act in a
conflict, and often you cant change your situation. But you can change what you do. I learned
through this experience that I can make a situation better or worse. I can make a difference when
conflicts arise.
I felt supported by many of the students contributions in class. At the beginning of each
class, we were given a topic. The topics were geared toward empowerment. We shared stories
and expressed deep feelings. These discussions reminded that we should be thankful for our
lives. It showed me that we think good thoughts about ourselves and others. I felt empowered,
attentive, and valued from my cohort peers. At the end of our weekly discussion, our professor
gave us several quotes. She quoted Dick Bryant: When you can feel good about yourself, it
carries over into everyday life. If you can look in the mirror and like yourself, thats the greatest
feeling in the world. She had us pass a mirror around in the circle and look into the mirror and
say one positive word that described ourselves.
An important take away from this class is the Do You Mean concept. It is a concept
that describes the opportunity to communicate effectively and openly. It empowers the speaker.
It is a technique that improves communication. By using this method, it changes the dynamics of
speaking and shows that you are interested in the conversation. The messages send clarity to the
receiver or listener. It has impacted my conversations when I am speaking to any of my family
members. For example, when we were at a family function, my father was upset with one of my
sisters because she wanted to go home early. As they argued, I stood up from the chair and said,
Do you mean you are tired and want to go home and sleep because you have work in the early
morning? My sister responded, Yes. Yes, I am. My dad quieted down. My sister said her
goodbyes. The family function continued. I found this method to improve my way of speaking
and listening to others. It is one type of technique that helps people stay calm.
I have learned new things about myself as I reflected in class. I found that I am a better
communicator. I can speak up in a more relaxed manner. I have become more concise when I
speak. I am watching what I say and how I say it. I find that I am setting standards for myself
such as thinking before I verbally act. I value myself more today than yesterday. I feel my facial
expressions and body language when I am communicating with others. From our textbook,
Nonviolent Communication, by Marshall Rosenberg (2003), it states that communication should
be firm but without violence. I had such a positive experience in this class because I was going
through a situation at work with the co-teacher that I worked with. Every day, she continuously
put me down and never wanted me to assist her. One day, I spoke up to her and asked her to talk
with me and not at me. Our conversations started to be two-sided. I have been given the tools to
make a difference in my life.
As I reflect on this course, I can see that I am replacing old patterns with new ones. My
communication to others has new meaning. Take deep breaths. Listen respectively. It has given
me the opportunity to validate my feelings as well as others. It has benefited me to think about
how to deal with the challenges of communication. I can hope for smoother transitions when I
speak to others. It has given me the responsibility that I am in control how I say things and how
others speak to me.
One of the best things that I liked in this class was that the professor gave us quotes ever
week. Then, she asked us to create a quote that summed up our HD 341 course. My quote was
Be mindful, be respectful, and be aware as communication is empowering when you listen first
and speak second.
References
Rosenberg, M. (2003). Nonviolent communication. Encinitas, CA: Puddle Dance Press.
Caspersen, D. (2014). Changing the conversation, The 17 principles of conflict resolution.
New York, NY: Penguin Publishing Books.