"Seek to understand before you are understood" (Stephen Covey) is the basic essence around which the student group called "Connect with Respect" (CWR) revolves.  Comprising of 14 students and a mentor to guide us, we explore important aspects like deep listening skills, Nonviolent Communication, and conflict resolution.  It has awakened in us the desire to make a change, beginning with ourselves.

Each session begins with us sitting in silence for a few minutes to connect with our hearts.

We learn how vital it is to listen to others, and what effect our forms of speech can have – either to alienate someone or to connect with them.   Instead of blaming, abusing or judging others, we learn a way of expressing strong feelings in a respectful way.We have discovered what a huge difference it makes to give someone empathy and just be with them, instead of trying to immediately fix their problems.It helps us personally to build relationships, maintain them, and strengthen existing ones.

We have learned that our feelings and every action come from our human Needs and Values.  For instance when a person says, "Just shut up!" their need is for peace and quiet – but the trouble is they don't say that!   And the next time you want to say, "You're so mean!" search for your inner need and say that instead.  It could be for equality, or to be included, or for consideration.

Being in CWR is fulfilling our need for personal development, to learn skills for life, and writing this article is meeting my wish to spread knowledge and awareness.

By Ronnie Nido,  Class XII