Speaking about Restorative Justice, what one thing, is most important.

I’m struggling with what to say at tonights first fundraiser.  I know that I will have a demonstration towards the end.  I plan to make the ‘mic’ the talking piece, and have a few testimonials from the crowd.  I have a few people aware that the spontaneous opportunity will be presented.  I do believe I [...]

The power in hearing every voice, and the power of Circle participation.

“I was at a training, about leadership and meetings.  They said something that struck me, and reminded me of Circle.  They said the meeting doesn’t start until every voice is heard.” – spoken in a talking circle.

My immediate thought was about how many meetings I was in that had really never started!  It also validated [...]

My wonderful experience at the IIRP 12th World Conference on restorative practices

I can’t believe it’s come and gone!  Last week I attended the 12th World Conference, hosted by the International Institute for Restorative Practices.  It was AMAZING!  My first IIRP conference was in 2002 (the 3rd IIRP conference).  That is where I first met IIRP President Ted Wachtel, as I mentioned in another post, he impressed [...]

It never hurts to treat yourself restoratively. Restorative Justice requires introspection.

I recently cleaned out my nightstand drawer.  I thought the mix of items were really interesting, can I explain a few.
-The Mini Bottle of Sky vodka, upper right corner.  Demonstrates my protective parenting skills.  I found the vodka outside of our apartment building, right by the door.  Just laying in the grass, unopened.  It’s mine now. 
-The handcreams, [...]

Developing belonging as a life skill and a restorative justice skill.

Lets put value on ‘belonging’.
Look at all the books on LOVE.  The efforts at PEACE.  Not to minimize the importance of either of these but what if we learned to make people feel like they BELONG.
What about embracing our own selves, and our own place in our community.
How do we nuture our own belonging.  How [...]

Are you out to help others? It takes leaving negativity behind, which isn’t easy.

Have you heard the phrases “she’s out to get you?”  It means someone wants to do you harm, make you look bad.
Do we have the counter phrase going around “she’s out to help you?”.
I think that offenders behave harmfully to others, because of a past harm.  Right or wrong, they act out of a justification.  [...]

Linking to a great blog, Zen Habits

I was drifting around the internet searching out successful bloggers.  I ran into Zen Habits, featured on a list.  Only a few minutes on the site and I joined the 100,000 others that are subscribed to this blog.
As I read the post The World Needs You to Do What You Love,  I thought about how to [...]

Examples of stories, and the power of story.

I love my kid.  She’s 17 and a senior in high school.  She’s my only.  It’s been the two of us.  One of our special things, is my work.  She was in her first circle at 9 years old.  I held a girls circle for almost a year, her and a few other teen girls.  [...]

Restorative Justice in school settings – promotes learning by engagement.

Do you pay much attention to issues you feel are not relevant?  Some people find world politics relevant.  For some people cancer research is relevant.  It all has to do with your unique views of yourself and where you belong.
Using restorative justice in schools, helps every student find the classroom community relevant. 
Let me clarify I [...]

Milk cows can give you restorative story, even briefly.

I had a really odd morning.  While taking my cat to the kennel, a fox darted across the road, I helped move cows and ran over a squirrel. 
Is that all a little crazy before 10 am or what?  Do you need a few details to not feel crazy?  I think those experiences helped with the [...]