It was Christmas Eve, and Ebenezer Scrooge was in his counting house, calculating his wealth and bemoaning the expenses of the holiday season. Suddenly, the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, appeared before him, shackled in heavy chains.
“Ebenezer,” Marley said gravely, “you have a chance to break free of the chains that bind you. You must learn the art of Nonviolent Communication, or suffer the same fate as I.”
Scrooge was skeptical, but he knew he had to do something to change his miserly ways. So, Marley took Scrooge on a journey through the past, present, and future, showing him the power of Nonviolent Communication in action.
In the past, Scrooge saw himself as a young man, arguing with his father over his desire to pursue a career in business. His father insisted that he become a lawyer, but Scrooge stubbornly refused. As they argued, Scrooge saw how he used criticism and blame to try and win the argument, rather than expressing his own needs and feelings.
In the present, Scrooge saw the impact of his communication style on his employees, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. He saw how he used criticism and blame to try and control them, rather than expressing his own needs and feelings. He also saw how this caused them to feel disrespected and unheard, leading to resentment and a lack of motivation.
In the future, Scrooge saw how he could have a very different relationship with his loved ones, if he learned to use Nonviolent Communication. He saw how expressing his own needs and feelings, rather than criticizing and blaming others, could lead to deeper understanding and connection.
As the journey came to an end, Scrooge realized the truth of Marley’s words. He vowed to use Nonviolent Communication in all his interactions, and to spread the message to others.
On Christmas Day, Scrooge was a changed man. He used Nonviolent Communication to express his appreciation and love for his family and friends, and to offer genuine apologies for his past behavior. And in doing so, he found true joy and connection.
As Marley’s ghost faded away, Scrooge knew that he had been given a second chance, and he vowed to make the most of it. The end.
