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Did Will Smith have an amygdala hijack?  

April 1, 2022 By Joy Rosenthal

That is what psychologist Daniel Goleman has described as the fight or flight response.  The amygdala, a tiny almond shaped structure in our brains, sometimes acts almost reflexively.  When a lion is after you, the theory goes, you don’t have time to make a thoughtful, considered decision.  It’s time to go! Chris Rock was not a lion – and Will Smith wasn’t in physical danger.  But Will Smith obviously felt so threatened that he had to do something about it … read more »

Filed Under: conflict resolution, General, Negotiation, Nonviolence Tagged With: conflict, Dignity, negotiating, understanding

Layers of Sound

April 23, 2021 By Joy Rosenthal

I have been meditating for a few years, and was part of a workshop recently where the facilitator had us listen to “layers of sound.”  I didn’t understand what she was talking about at first.  It sounded a little mysterious, and a little woo woo…. But I decided to try what she was asking.  And it’s not hard – I’ll show you. (This is an interactive blog post!) Listen – right now – first, to the sounds that are farthest … read more »

Filed Under: Divorce, General, Mediation, Mindfulness, Negotiation, Nonviolence Tagged With: common ground, compassion, conflict, inner voice, listening, mediation, negotiating

Power to the People!

September 12, 2019 By Joy Rosenthal

Close up.business partners give each other a fist.

A big change is coming to the New York State court system. Starting this fall, all New York State courts will work on a system of “presumptive mediation,” which means that it will be assumed that every civil case filed can be resolved using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) e.g. mediation, arbitration or early neutral evaluation. Instead of having to opt in – to affirmatively decide to mediate — parties may opt out. Think of the difference between being presumed innocent … read more »

Filed Under: Clients, Divorce, Mediation, Negotiation, Nonviolence Tagged With: Abby Tolchinsky, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), arbitration, early neutral evaluation, Ellie Wertheim, Family Law, mediation, New York State courts, presumptive mediation

Off to a Good Start

August 7, 2019 By Joy Rosenthal

Off to a Good Start by Joy Rosenthal

After my beautiful, slow and plodding dog, Riley, died last summer, I had to come up with a new routine. No longer tied to our wonderful morning walk in the park, I wanted to try something new. Like those walks, it had to be contemplative and beautiful and put me in touch with nature. So almost every morning for the last year or so, I’ve been meditating for 15 minutes or so upon waking up, using the Headspace app on … read more »

Filed Under: Mindfulness, Nonviolence Tagged With: Andy Puddicombe., Headspace, meditation, Morning Routines

R-E-S-P-E-C-T — Find Out What it Means to Me!

August 22, 2018 By Joy Rosenthal

R-E-S-P-E-C-T — Find Out What it Means to Me! by Joy Rosenthal

I write this just days after the death of the infamous Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Hers was the voice of a generation — my generation — but she meant so much more. While it is difficult to imagine a world without her, I am grateful for her music, which will live on. From my perspective, Aretha’s most influential song was “Respect,” written by Otis Redding. As Wesley Morris wrote in her obituary, she turned the song — and the … read more »

Filed Under: Clients, Collaborative Process, Cultural Competence, Divorce, Happiness, Marriage, Mediation, Mindfulness, Negotiation, Nonviolence Tagged With: Aretha Franklin, Dignity, Donna Hicks, Respect

Ripples

February 28, 2018 By Joy Rosenthal

Ripples by Joy Rosenthal

I know someone who knew a teenager who was gunned down at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida last week. I know someone who knew a reverend who was gunned down at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. I know someone who knew a small child who was gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Anyone can feel a Mother’s / Father’s / Sister’s / Brother’s / Nana’s /Auntie’s Life Shattered into … read more »

Filed Under: Children, Mindfulness, Nonviolence Tagged With: Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, grief, Gun Violence, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Newtown, Parkland, Sandy Hook Elementary School, School Shootings

Pete Seeger’s Legacy – And Pete Seeger’s Will

July 14, 2014 By Joy Rosenthal

I just read an article in the NY Daily News about Pete Seeger’s will.  While I am dismayed that they talk about the dollar value of his estate, I love that his instruments have names, and that the kids each got an instrument But Pete’s impact is not in his will.  It is in his legacy.  How he taught millions of people that they can feel community by singing together.  How music brings us together, rich and poor, young and … read more »

Filed Under: Families, General, Inheritance, Mindfulness, Nonviolence, Wills Tagged With: change, compassion, music, understanding, wills

Review of Dignity published!

December 20, 2013 By Joy Rosenthal

I’m excited to announce that my review of the book, Dignity, by Donna Hicks was published this week in ACResolution, the quarterly magazine of the national Association for Conflict Resolution. God gave each of us inherent worth and value; accept it in yourself, discover and encourage it in others, and peace may just be possible. ~ Archbishop Desmond Tutu Dr . Hicks, who has worked on international conflicts all over the world, uses this concept as the premise for her … read more »

Filed Under: Cultural Competence, General, Mediation, Negotiation, Nonviolence

Lesson from Mandela: Ubuntu

December 10, 2013 By Joy Rosenthal

I can hardly believe that I woke up today, listening to the President of the United States talk about that most powerful concept, ubuntu. It was in his tribute to Nelson Mandela – Madiba, a speech given today before thousands, in Johannesburg. Here is what he said: Mandela understood the ties that bind the human spirit.  There is a word in South Africa — Ubuntu — a word that captures Mandela’s greatest gift:  his recognition that we are all bound … read more »

Filed Under: Cultural Competence, Mediation, Mindfulness, Negotiation, Nonviolence

Let Freedom Ring

August 27, 2013 By Joy Rosenthal

Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington in which the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his magnificent “I Have a Dream” speech – one of most inspiring and important speeches in history.  In anticipation, I just read the full text of the speech again, and link to it here. There are some lines that we have heard over and again, and which we need to hear over and again.  But there are a few others … read more »

Filed Under: Cultural Competence, Happiness, Mindfulness, Negotiation, Nonviolence Tagged With: common ground, compassion, conflict, honesty, hope, inclusivity, nonviolence, understanding

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