Eight Habits of the HeartEight Habits of the Heart

A Conversation Around Clifton Taulbert’s A Conversation Around Clifton Taulbert’s BookBookESA 6ESA 6

February, 2007, Todd County, SDFebruary, 2007, Todd County, SD

We talk a lot about “building We talk a lot about “building community” in schools.community” in schools.

What is a community?What is a community? Think of a community of which you Think of a community of which you

have been or are a part.have been or are a part. What makes it a community?What makes it a community?

Clifton Taulbert explores his own life Clifton Taulbert explores his own life to pinpoint what he believes makes a to pinpoint what he believes makes a community.community.

He calls his findings “Eight Habits of He calls his findings “Eight Habits of the Heart.”the Heart.”

What are the Eight Habits?What are the Eight Habits?

1. Nurturing Attitude 7. Courage1. Nurturing Attitude 7. Courage

2. Dependability2. Dependability 8. Hope 8. Hope

3. Responsibility3. Responsibility

4. Friendship4. Friendship

5. Brotherhood5. Brotherhood

6. High Expectations6. High Expectations

Nurturing AttitudeNurturing Attitude

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

Clifton TaulbertClifton Taulbert

Dependability andDependability and

ResponsibilityResponsibility

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

Clifton TaulbertClifton Taulbert

FriendshipFriendship

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

Clifton TaulbertClifton Taulbert

BrotherhoodBrotherhood

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

Clifton TaulbertClifton Taulbert

High ExpectationsHigh Expectations

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

Clifton TaulbertClifton Taulbert

CourageCourage

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

Clifton TaulbertClifton Taulbert

HopeHope

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

Clifton TaulbertClifton Taulbert

Transcending HabitsTranscending Habits

The Habits cannot be passed along like a The Habits cannot be passed along like a collection of footballs. What we are passing collection of footballs. What we are passing along are the strengths of our lives, which we along are the strengths of our lives, which we embrace and make clear through daily living.embrace and make clear through daily living.

The will of ordinary folk working together as The will of ordinary folk working together as my elders did, remain the only force that can my elders did, remain the only force that can ensure that good community exists. ensure that good community exists.

Clifton TaulbertClifton 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 Which of Clifton Taulbert’s eight habits would

you like to work on?you like to work on? Nurturing attitude; dependability and Nurturing attitude; dependability and

responsibility; friendship; brotherhood; high responsibility; friendship; brotherhood; high expectations; courage; or hope?expectations; courage; or hope?

Take you pick and think of one thing you can Take you pick and think of one thing you can do this week to build that habit.do this week to build that habit.