One of my most memorable life moments happened in a JIBC conflict-resolution course. I raised my hand to ask a question. I don’t remember the question, but I clearly remember the answer. The instructor looked at me and said, “Your feelings are valid, and they’re nobody’s fault.” That statement reverberated through my whole being, and has reverberated through my life ever since.

I grew up in an angry home environment and had lots of anger issues of my own. The only anger language I knew was the language of blame. JIBC taught me to take responsibility for myself and to take a genuine interest in others. The lessons transformed my life.

-Trime

Usual day in class where I was sitting there with my peers as we discussed conflict in the workplace. But as the teacher was explaining an idea, he quickly said ’empathy is the most powerful word in the english language’. immediately, i thought that was a very large thing to claim. Yet here I am, over 10 years after the class and I cannot agree more strongly. So many instances of conflict can be boiled down to communication and communication is best done with empathy. These courses I took so long ago changed my life. That sounds like a very large thing to claim, but its true.

Submitted by: Brandon