Trainer Tip: Mary explains the NVC principle known as the "protective use of force." Trainer Tip You give but little when you give of your possessions.It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.—Kahlil Gibran In most situations, if both people have a chance to be heard, peaceful resolution is possible. However, situations sometimes arise that involve imminent danger with little time for dialogue, or in which one person may not be willing to communicate. When this happens, and there is the potential for physical harm, protective use of force may be necessary—the use of force to restrain someone. It is important when resorting to this action that we maintain awareness that we are not punishing the person. We are merely keeping them or others safe. For example, if you work in a hospital, you may need to apply protective use of force if you see that a health professional is accidentally administering a life-threatening drug. Similarly, if your child is running out into a street full of oncoming traffic, your use of physical force to remove her from danger would be the protective use of force. In both cases, it is important to maintain the consciousness that you have taken the action to protect life, not as punishment for bad behavior. Such a consciousness is based on the belief that people take actions that are dangerous to themselves and others out of ignorance, not because they are bad. We desire to serve life and act accordingly. For today, be aware of your attitude toward others who do things that are dangerous to themselves or other people. Make a decision to serve life in the situation, rather than to judge the people involved. This trainer tip is an excerpt from Mary Mackenzie's book Peaceful Living, available from PuddleDancer Press. Keywords: expression honesty protective use of force requests strategies choice authenticity responsibility Mary Mackenzie