Phases of the Moon, the newsletter of the Maine NVC Network
Volume Nine, Issue One: ACEs: What's That?
Our newsletter appears approximately once a month. Our purpose is to contribute to the NVC learning of people who have taken at least an NVC Level 1 workshop, and help us stay connected as we endeavor to deepen a culture of peace within ourselves, our families and the world. We believe a Level 1 offers so many new ways of thinking that additional support for learning and integration could be helpful.
We endeavor to make each edition informative, connecting, inspiring and fun. Please let us know how the newsletter might contribute to your NVC well-being. Email: newsletter at mainenvcnetwork.org
Contents
- ACE's: What's That? by Peggy Smith
- Suggestions for Practice
- Upcoming Trainings
- Special Announcements
- Poetry Corner
- Monthly Empathy Circles and other Ongoing groups
- Paid Announcements
ACEs: What's That?
by Peggy Smith
In the 1980’s Kaiser Permanente’s1 obesity clinic found that about half their participants were dropping out of the program even though they were losing weight. Interviewing the "drop outs" brought the discovery that at least half of the people interviewed had experienced childhood sexual abuse.
Since then a growing field of research has focused on childhood trauma and its long-term effects on learning, behavior and health throughout life. These traumas were given the name Adverse Childhood Experiences (or ACEs).
Further studies are showing us that
- ACEs are common.
- ACEs often occur in clusters, thereby significantly increasing the effects.
- ACEs effect many future outcomes including tendencies toward addictions of all sorts, behaviors that cause harm to self & others, and increased risk of both physical and mental health issues.
- ACEs can literally effect our brains making it harder to learn or "behave."
ACEs can have tremendous effects on a person’s ability to learn and/or conform to social norms (such as sitting still in school). They can have long term effects on how our immune systems work increasing the likelihood of physical diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes.
Are you curious? Would you like a sense of what these ACEs are?
The original ACEs study measured
- living with an alcoholic, addict or substance abuser as a child
- parents separated, divorced or died
- time spent in the foster care system
- family member with depression or mental illness or suicide
- family member incarcerated
- witnessing or receiving domestic violence
- being spanked or hit for discipline or for no reason at all
- food scarcity, poverty, many moves or homelessness
- verbal, emotional and/or sexual abuse
Take a moment for self awareness and self-care. Do you notice tension arising in any parts of your body? Turn your awareness to that tension. Can you smile warmly to that tension and imagine bathing it with all the love and tenderness a frightened child would enjoy? Bringing more oxygen into your body by breathing with full attention.
Pause.
When I show an ACEs list to the men I work with who are incarcerated, there is often a deep and powerful silence. I hear things like, "I have all of these." Or "Its easier to pick out which don’t apply to me than all that do." As a society we are paying a heavy price.
Are you ready for some good news? Organizations are beginning to pay attention to this research. Some schools, some social service and some law enforcement agencies are learning about trauma and its effects. Trauma-informed responses are being tried with healthful results.
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The brain has tremendous capacity for healing, given the proper supports. AND, NVC practiced in a warm and welcoming way is an ally for restoring and maintaining brain health. We are fortunate that this March Sarah Peyton will be returning to Maine for an extended teaching engagement. Sarah is a self-proclaimed neuroscience geek and a certified NVC trainer. Sarah has a passion for digesting the current research and making it understandable for the rest of us. You can begin to absorb Sarah’s work through her book, Your Resonant Self: guided meditations & exercises to engage our brain’s capacity for healing. AND you can study with her through her online learning offerings or right here in Maine this March. In Maine we have a group dedicated to increasing trauma awareness and pro-active responses to it, the Maine Resilience Building Network brings together professionals from diverse fields to support each other’s learning and effectiveness. They are co-sponsors of Sarah’s events in March. 1 Kaiser Permanente is a health maintenance organization based in California |
Suggestions for Practice
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Upcoming Trainings
Trainings listed here are in the Maine region. If you wish to list an event, please follow our guidelines for submission. Please note that both certified and non-certified trainers, (who are willing to follow certain requirements of the Center for Nonviolent Communication), may be leading the posted trainings. Listing here does not imply endorsement by the Maine NVC Network of the trainer or the event.
Special Opportunities:
January 26-28, 2018, Nobleboro, ME
Bringing Mindful Speech To Life
Seventh annual weekend of mindfulness with
Dharma Teacher Peggy Smith and Theodate Lawlor,
Members of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Tiep Hien Order
Online registration here.
After completing your registration, a screen will appear with payment options.
If you prefer not to use the online process, you can print and mail this form.
FMI: printable pdf / or email: peggy at opencommunication.org / phone: 207-789-5299
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March 7-11, 2018, Belfast, ME
Returning by popular request!
Sarah Peyton, international author and teacher,
will be teaching in Maine for the third time, with a range of offerings.
- March 7-9: Transforming Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): What Neuroscience & NVC Have to Offer
FMI (printable pdf) - The following options may be taken as add-ons following the above 3-day workshop.
Also, Sexuality in the Brain may be taken as a stand-alone IF you have completed a 3-day workshop with Sarah Peyton at an earlier time.
Family Constellations in Action may be taken as a stand-alone by anyone.
Online Registration & Payment here. / Mail-in registration here. (printable pdf)
Please Note:
The deadline for registration AND PAYMENT is FEBRUARY 23, 2018.
Also, there will be no refunds made after Feb. 23. If you find it necessary to cancel your registration BEFORE Feb. 23, your payment will be refunded minus a $20 handling fee. Thank you for your cooperation.
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Level 1:
Feb 2-4, 2018, Norway, ME
Speaking Peace
taught by Leah Boyd
FMI & Registration
March 23-24, 2018, Falmouth, ME
Deep Listening
taught by Leah Boyd
FMI & Registration
April 28-29, 2018, Lewiston, ME
Speaking Peace
taught by Leah Boyd
FMI & Registration
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2018-19 MAINE NVC INTEGRATION PROGRAM
is now open for enrollment.
FMI & Registration
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Ongoing
Moon rise Freedom
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