Written on Our Hearts: Our Agreements for Real Community

Real community isn’t built by accident. It’s built with intention—and re-built every time we come together.

That’s why we start with simple agreements. Not rules. Not policies. Agreements. Ways of being together that don’t just manage behavior, but invite belonging. In our work, we return again and again to four foundational ones:

1. Speak from the Heart

Say what is real for you. Not what sounds polished. Not what sounds “right.” Speaking from the heart is an act of courage. It doesn’t mean you have to share everything—it means what you do share is honest, personal, and rooted in what matters to you.

2. Listen from the Heart

We don’t just wait for our turn to speak. We listen to understand. We set aside judgment, quiet the inner chatter, and lean in with care. Listening from the heart reminds us that we’re here not just to be heard—but to hear each other.

3. Respect the Voice Speaking

This is not just about politeness—it’s about presence. We give the speaker our attention. We don’t interrupt, side-comment, or scroll. We acknowledge their voice as sacred, especially when someone is offering their understanding of the truth. Respect isn't silence—it's reverence.

4. Share Just Enough

There’s wisdom in knowing when to say more—and when to hold back. “Sharing just enough” means we offer what’s needed for connection and clarity, without dominating the space or withholding so much that others can’t find us. It’s a practice of balance, not performance.

These four agreements help us show up with each other, not just around each other. They shape the tone of our spaces, not just the content. And they’re most powerful when they’re not just mentioned once at the beginning of a meeting, but spoken and returned to as living reminders.

They’re not rules written on a whiteboard. They’re etched on our hearts.

So whether your community uses these four or your own version, remember: keep them simple. Make them sacred. Say them often.

Because how we are together determines what we can build together.