Social Situations (NVC) – I’m Quoted in a Mike Arstein video!

I had the pleasure of meeting Mike Arnstein at Health & Fitness Week 2010. He is an great inspiration for me, especially in my pursuit of improving my fitness.

A quote of mine was featured in one of his videos about social situations.

“In my experience 99% of the people inquiring about my lifestyle are not really interested in learning, they are are interested in making sure what they are doing is OK.”

I’m very grateful for his willingness to put me in the video. He is working incredibly hard to spread the message of health. We talked about his website/outreach intentions at HFW and he truly does what he does because he wants to give back. This just another example that confirms what NVC is all about, which is that humans love to give. Nothing feels better than helping somebody and hearing them express how much they appreciated it.

I look forward to making many videos on the topic of social situations. Mike said a lot of stuff I agree with in this video. I am going to interpret and add some stuff to great points he made.

• It’s important to set an example based on action

• Don’t talk about food/diet with most people

• If people ask and are genuinely interested, it’s a gift to answer their questions and help them learn more about healthy living

• Emphasize similarities. Why talk about food/diet when you’re at a main stream corporate office party? If the social situation is not about food, then don’t bring up the subject with people you know don’t live healthfully. That’s just asking for trouble.  Every person can inspire us in some way. Find out what they are passionate about and focus the conversation on that. I promise, you will learn something and you will see them glowing throughout the conversation.

• When the topic does come up and people ask the inevitable questions, down play the situation. Speak their language. We have to have presence and let the proper words flow based on the situation and person we are talking to.

• Let people come to their own conclusions, in their own time.

• Don’t make fun of other people for not having the same perceptions/beliefs as you have. Mike mentions it took him 15 years to get to where he is. Was he a bad person during those 15 years? Was he stupid during those 15 years? Was he an ignorant person not caring about the environment for those 15 years? or was he just human being doing the best he could from his present state of consciousness?

• Take care of yourself first so you can take of others

I have a one alternative perceptions, I think is worth noting.  Mike said,

“It’s occasionally quite difficult to not be the subject of constant questions, even ridicule, it’s difficult, it’s one of the things that is a negative about eating this diet.”

I love social situations, especially the ones where I am “weird”.buy Cordarone They are one of my favorite parts of this lifestyle. I have gained a lot of skills by studying NVC which is why I have this perception and really enjoy social situations.  It’s like running a 100 race.  You will dread it if you’re not prepared and don’t have the skills to do well.  You’re going to love the challenge and growth opportunity if you’re prepared and have the skills to do well.

I’ll be sharing more in upcoming YouTube videos.

All my best,

Robby