Eight Habits of the Heart A Conversation Around Clifton Taulbert’s Book ESA 6 February, 2007, Todd County, SD

We talk a lot about “building community” in schools. We talk a lot about “building community” in schools. What is a community? What is a community? Think of a community of which you have been or are a part. Think of a community of which you have been or are a part. What makes it a community? What makes it a community?

Clifton Taulbert explores his own life to pinpoint what he believes makes a community. Clifton Taulbert explores his own life to pinpoint what he believes makes a community. He calls his findings “Eight Habits of the Heart.” He calls his findings “Eight Habits of the Heart.”

What are the Eight Habits? 1. Nurturing Attitude 7. Courage 2. Dependability 8. Hope 3. Responsibility 4. Friendship 5. Brotherhood 6. High Expectations

Nurturing Attitude Nurturing Attitude

In the community, a nurturing attitude is characterized by unselfish caring, supportiveness, and a willingness to share time. In the community, a nurturing attitude is characterized by unselfish caring, supportiveness, and a willingness to share time. Clifton Taulbert Clifton Taulbert

Dependability and Dependability andResponsibility

Within the community, dependability is being there for others through all the times of their lives, a steady influence that makes tomorrow a welcome event; and responsibility means showing and encouraging a personal commitment to each task. Within the community, dependability is being there for others through all the times of their lives, a steady influence that makes tomorrow a welcome event; and responsibility means showing and encouraging a personal commitment to each task. Clifton Taulbert

Friendship Friendship

Within the community, friendship is the habit that binds people together when they take pleasure in each other’s company, listen, laugh, and share good times and bad. Within the community, friendship is the habit that binds people together when they take pleasure in each other’s company, listen, laugh, and share good times and bad. Clifton Taulbert

Brotherhood Brotherhood

Within the community, brotherhood is the habit that reaches beyond comfortable relationships to extend a welcome to those who may be different from yourself. Within the community, brotherhood is the habit that reaches beyond comfortable relationships to extend a welcome to those who may be different from yourself. Clifton Taulbert

High Expectations High Expectations

Within the community, high expectations involve believing that others can be successful, telling them so, and praising their accomplishments. Within the community, high expectations involve believing that others can be successful, telling them so, and praising their accomplishments. Clifton Taulbert

Courage Courage

Within the community, courage is standing up and doing the right thing, speaking out on behalf of others, and making a commitment to excellence in the face of adversity or the absence of support. Within the community, courage is standing up and doing the right thing, speaking out on behalf of others, and making a commitment to excellence in the face of adversity or the absence of support. Clifton Taulbert

Hope Hope

Within the community, hope is believing in tomorrow – because you have learned to see with your heart. Within the community, hope is believing in tomorrow – because you have learned to see with your heart. Clifton Taulbert

Transcending Habits Transcending Habits

The Habits cannot be passed along like a collection of footballs. What we are passing along are the strengths of our lives, which we embrace and make clear through daily living. The Habits cannot be passed along like a collection of footballs. What we are passing along are the strengths of our lives, which we embrace and make clear through daily living. The will of ordinary folk working together as my elders did, remain the only force that can ensure that good community exists. The will of ordinary folk working together as my elders did, remain the only force that can ensure that good community exists. Clifton Taulbert

Which bad habit would you like to shed? Which bad habit would you like to shed? Which of Clifton Taulbert’s eight habits would you like to work on? Which of Clifton Taulbert’s eight habits would you like to work on? Nurturing attitude; dependability and responsibility; friendship; brotherhood; high expectations; courage; or hope? Nurturing attitude; dependability and responsibility; friendship; brotherhood; high expectations; courage; or hope? Take you pick and think of one thing you can do this week to build that habit. Take you pick and think of one thing you can do this week to build that habit.