Want a better tomorrow? Make your bed!

As a child my grandparents lived with us and my grandmother ALWAYS made my bed. College and marriage, I would just pull the covers up, unless we were having company, then I always made it – for appearance sake. We only had a “well-made” bed each week when I changed the sheets and I never really taught our kids to do anything more than to pull the covers up either –

I apologize to the parents, of all their friends that invited them to sleep-over.

Over the years, I did this superfluous task more regularly, fixing the sheets, pillows, and covers – the whole bit, just before bed, to all intents and purposes – unnecessary. I just didn’t see the point, other than pulling the sheet up, so it doesn’t bunch up under you or at your feet.

Several years ago, I came across a video of Admiral William H. McRaven, delivering the Commencement Speech of University of Texas, Graduating Class – 2014. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it – his simple life lessons to “change the world.” I thought, had made an impression. His very first lesson in his speech is about making your bed. I remember thinking at the time how important that was. Apparently, not too important at the time, because I continued with my bed making practices in the same manner, which was with, as little effort as possible…until about 3 months ago.

Talk of graduations started on Facebook and within my own, circle of friends. No one in my direct family was graduating but there were many friend’s children, who would be graduating this month – (this past weekend, in fact) so, I was hearing lots of bits and pieces – future plans, parties… all the trimming that goes with this type of celebration (all of this before, Coronavirus shut-downs started).

One morning getting, out of bed, I pulled the covers up, when I remembered the Admiral’s speech – I don’t know why it came to me, but it did, maybe it was the talk of the soon to be graduates.

His message about the simple task of fashioning a well-made bed will give you a sense of accomplishment, push you to do another small task, and another… It will start your day, in success mode – even if you have a horrible day, you will come home to a “well-made” bed and that is an accomplishment, a sign of hope for tomorrow.

These days, where it may have been easy to fall back into the “why bother” mode, I’ve been a very good girl for over 3 months now. Making our bed every morning. Not just throwing the covers up, like I used to, but pulled everything back, took off the pillows, straightened and pulled the side of the fitted sheet, pulled up and aligned the flat, fluffed and evened-out the duvet, plumped up the pillows and put them back on – a “well-made” bed.

Now, it may not be to military, bounce a quarter off the sheet standard, but it looks good.

I MAKE THE BED – EVERY MORNING and it does feel triumphant to go into the room at different times during the day and see the bed made – It’s pretty and pretty always makes me smile.

I think (or want to believe-) I am accomplishing a little more each day (after all, I did start this blog and build this site). There is a tranquil feel – getting into a bed with straight, even sheets and blankets, fluffed and puffed placed pillows.

I never would have thought about a “well-made” bed as a sign – but right now, in these times of uncertainty, looking for that “new normal,” it is a great way to start the day – A sense of accomplishment… and to end the day, with hope for a better tomorrow.

May you all have a Happy & Safe Memorial Day!

And Here’s to A Better Tomorrow!