Maya is a wise wise soul and the world is lessened with her passing.
Amazing what a change can be wrought over someone when exposed to simple courtesy and interaction. I have for years taken her advice and greeted people as I walk past them in the market or on the street. Self-discipline is the hardest and yet once we master it, the other pieces of life fall into place-sometimes neatly !~! The world loses another of its most majestic citizens. Besides, it gives me the chance to properly distribute the blankets before I have to fight for them later! Granted, I rarely take the time to make the bed before leaving for work in the morning, so often make it when I get home. However, it does make a nice, neat start to the day. I had always thought my mom was nuts on must. LOVE the quote about believing someone when they show you who they are. might not to much else that day but the bed is ALWAYS made. When someone shows you who they are, believe them! ElizabethĪwesome point, and one I wish I could convey to my teenager. They didn't even know who she was, but when a stranger says good morning, there's suddenly a reason to stay in the world and be connected with others. She said that more than once people have come up to her saying they were contemplating suicide, even doing it that day, but that her simple words kept them from doing it. She said that every person was worthy of a greeting, every human worthy of interaction. I also heard speak once, and she said that when she encounters someone walking down the street, she always said, "Good morning!" That was a rule with her, that she would always greet people. The master's point is that life, and its meaning, happens as we go about taking care of our lives. Student: Master, what is the meaning of life? I think her point isn't so much about bed making as it is about getting up and doing something useful. "she also said it seems to make the day start out right". My momma gave me this advice many years ago. Maya Angelou gave some good advice, to be sure. It's difficult if there's still somebody sleeping in it, though. Make your bed and brush your teeth, people! The more you spend money fixing broken things, the better you'll feel (hey! I have a nice place now!) and the more money you'll save because stuff is working right. Her advice "take care of your teeth." Basically, invest in your physical and creative self. I saw Patti Smith give a commencement speech a few years ago.
Psychology Today has an article talking about the link between making your bed and happiness: Side note- it was a pleasure to meet and chat with you this past weekend. On one hand it makes sense but motivation seems more complex than that. Flippancy aside, speaking as a parent, it's a goal of mine to make a change in how I handle these simple matters of daily tidiness so that I can set an example of dedication and willpower for my child.