Make your bed today?

I ask this question to people whenever it floats into my mind. “Do you make your bed every day?” Some answer yes.

Some say no with their logic being, “Why make it when I only have to unmake it when I go to sleep tonight?”

At the 2014 University of Texas commencement, UT alumnus Admiral William H. McRaven gave what became a memorable speech to the graduates.

He said, “If you want to change the world, start by making your bed. If you made your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. And by the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter.

“If you can’t do the little things right, you’ll never be able to do the big things right,” he said. “And if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed made, that you made. And a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better. So, if you want to change the world, start by making your bed.”

Admiral McRaven is a Navy Seal. He knows a thing or two about going through rigorous training to be the best you can be. His speech has been quoted in many ceremonial events and it has been presented to many middle school students on their first days of school. Here’s some of what they say.

“If you want to change the world, measure a person by the size of their heart, not the size of their flippers.”

The Navy Seal word “flippers” can stand for the shoes or the clothes they wear or even people with their loud mouths.

“If you want to change the world, get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward.” Every time somebody takes a bite out of you, don’t crumble. Stand strong and move along. No one needs unnecessary burdens to carry on their shoulders.

“If you want to change the world, don’t back down from the sharks.” Face bullies with courage. Use fear of the unknown to motivate you into positive action that will leave you liking who you see in the mirror.

“If you want to change the world, start singing when you’re up to your neck in mud.” Know that when times get tough, which they will, they will pass. Sing to a brand new day even though you know that you might get sucked into the mud again.

“If you want to change the world, don’t ever, ever ring the bell.” Ringing the bell means you quit. You gave up. It all got too hard, too much to handle. Walk away from adversity. Turn the other cheek in times of trouble. When you quit, you quit on yourself and you quit on life.

If you really want to change the world, do not be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. Former President Woodrow Wilson said, “You are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson, in one of my favorite quotes, believed that personal success has much to do with changing the world. He wrote, “What is success? To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!”

Let’s imagine how far we could go with middle school kids and having them perform the simple task of making their beds. Clean up the dishes. They learn that good food is nothing to take for granted and stacking the dishwasher or cleaning them by hand is an expression of gratitude and gratitude goes a long way in changing the world.

Take out the garbage. Another task that might lead them to help someone someday who needs a yard cleaned, a lawn cut or a driveway shoveled. Help their little sister or brother with schoolwork. When they get older, they might volunteer to teach GED (General Education Development) classes to adults. Surprise their parents by doing a task without them asking. They are opening doors to random acts of kindness.

Sometimes all anyone needs to do is smile and that should not be a task at all. Author Richelle E. Goodrich writes, “One smile has the power to calm fears. Soften stone walls. Warm a cold heart. Invite a new friend. Lighten heavy loads. Promote good deeds. Brighten a gloomy day. Comfort a grieving spirit. Send as message of caring. Patch invisible wounds. Act as medicine for the suffering. Fulfill the human need for recognition.” She adds, “Who knew changing the world would prove to be so simple?”

I have to end this column now. Gotta go make my bed.

Rich Strack can be reached at richiesadie11@gmail.com