From a Communicating for Life class participant at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution in Madras:

In the Self-Empathy class (Week 5) I was sharing a regret I had about my 11-year-old self starting to smoke cigarettes and pot and drinking alcohol.
You stopped me and asked me to take 30 seconds and empathize with myself as that boy and try to imagine what needs that young boy had been trying to meet.
That was the first time in 31 years that anyone, including myself, ever just stopped and felt with him rather than judging him/me.
Bryn, I've been punishing that boy for 20 years. He/I was just a scared little boy who didn't want to be scared anymore. The healing process you started with 30 seconds is immeasurable. I don't hate that boy for being a boy. I love that very special person and am now able to have a loving relationship with him.
Thank you!