thats great you got through it.. hes a rock star that man!
let me just say
and this is from experience

it works best also when its with people you may not be close to, but nevertheless make your life less amazing.. ive helped so many people, just yesterday in fact i saved my friend from a protracted and very challenging situation with someone who had been a friend. He was fielding a demand and criticism and really really wanted to respond by telling this person what he was (in his opinion).. In the end my friend wrote a very simple NVC response and we all felt so much better.. the entire conversation ended and he saved at least the entire day of heavy conflict and unproductive discussion. Since he was able to just state his feeling and needs he just took action ..

in a way NVC is quite boring with two people who already know this language.. because there are far less break throughs.. its pure magic when I see someone who had been previously angry and blaming me for this or that suddenly totally own their shit.. they have done so only after i have sat and REALLY listened to them.. reflected and helped them understand their feelings and needs.,. and then.. POW.. suddenly the tears come and they are sitting in their real feelings and needs.. from there we can really start ..

anyways.. thats just my experience..that.. most people are angry because no one ever listened to them properly.. its very frustrating.. and it only takes one person to start it off.. the immediate transformation in someone when we gift them the attention of our giraffe ears is very special..

much love and light..