Get up when the alarm goes off. Make your bed without a second thought.
Walk your child to school. Notice the sky, the buds and the berries. Let the sunlight and fresh air dispel the mood of sullen reluctance.
Greet her teacher with a wide smile that imparts your trust and respect.
Walk the dog. The dog knows the way.
Say hello to your neighbor sweeping his sidewalk. He is nearly recovered from that terrible train collision. When he asks you for some good news, say, “Rain is in the forecast.”
Let him tell you about the groundcover seeds he’s about to plant. Laugh that between the two of you, you’ll keep the nursery in business this year.
Visit Jim’s blog and donate a couple of dollars to rebuild the far side of the world. Extend the domestic rescue and recovery to Mongolia, where English is still revered as the language of liberation, and learning it is an act of love.
Using what’s at hand, make dinner.
Drop by the grocery store for extra cheese from California, Wisconsin and Ohio.
When the checker asks if you found everything, say yes. Then ask her how her day is going, and mean it.
Clean up the kitchen without complaint, because one day soon you may need the rain gutters cleaned.
Day done, go to bed. Don’t waste a minute of this wondrous mind to self-criticism, worry or distraction.
Rest easy, knowing that tomorrow won’t bring any more than you can handle, or any less than you absolutely need.
Making your bed makes such a difference : )
Comment by myrope — February 24, 2009 @ 11:17 am
Amen.
Comment by jlg — February 24, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
When I was younger and would sleepover at my grandparent's house, my beloved Grandma would wake me from my peaceful slumbers with a cheery, "Morning, now let's get up and make your bed!" She was so loving as she said those words that as a child I couldn't help but smile & jump out of bed to do just as she asked. As a teenager, however, I came to relish sleeping in, and on one morning I said to her, "When I have my own house I will never make my bed!"
Now that I have my own house, and it has been a few years since the last time I heard that loving voice of hers, I get up every morning and make my bed. It's time that I get to spend honoring her.
Comment by Cam@Journey Wildly — February 24, 2009 @ 7:22 pm
been quetly following along for a bit now but wanted to rake the time to say hi.
great list today 🙂
Comment by Nessie Noodle — February 24, 2009 @ 8:28 pm
Ah, a perfect day!
Comment by Anonymous — February 24, 2009 @ 10:53 pm
Karen for President.
Comment by jena strong — February 24, 2009 @ 10:59 pm
Thank you. I love the making your bed one! I always try to make my bed, I heard somewhere that if you make your bed-at least you did one thing for the day. I like this version much better! During our last rain shower, I made soup and biscuits from stuff on hand. It was liberating, making due…
Comment by Puanani — February 25, 2009 @ 2:50 am
it is funny to me, I have been anti-bed making my whole life (you’ll need it unmade very soon you know) but since sitting I sometimes find myself seeing that it needs making and making it. It can make a room feel welcoming. Just sometimes mind you.
–chris
Comment by Chris Austin-Lane — February 25, 2009 @ 9:33 am
I think this is fantastic!
I would like to repost it but maybe i’ll just come up with my own version 🙂
thnx!
Comment by sp8cemunky — February 26, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
I’m so glad I have your blog … so glad that you link back to previous posts so often. Why do we forget so easily the wisdom we thought we understood? It doesn’t matter, I can always come back here and be reminded. Love love love love love your blog.
Comment by Mrs. B. Roth — March 20, 2009 @ 12:06 am
My mother always used to tell me “life just somehow goes much better when the bedroom is neat”, and as an adult who doesn’t always make her bed (ahem), I have learned that it is true. Life *is* easier when I don’t have that physical clutter also cluttering the back of my mind.
Comment by Gemma — March 24, 2009 @ 10:20 pm