Ida Odinga: Just making your bed can change the world

My father was a successful medical technician in Kisii. My mother on the other hand was a nurse, and together they had six children — we all lived happily in Migori.

Soon our world would come crashing down after my father passed away. I was only seven at the time of his passing on — it was a heavy blow.

Our mother would wake us up every morning to prepare us for school. She would bathe us before preparing breakfast for the six mouths. It was a rule that each of us had to make their beds before anything else — those who failed risked missing breakfast.

 In fact she inspected each of the beds. And why am I telling you all these? Simple, ‘It is such simple acts, like making your bed, that changes you, and the world.’

The average Kenyan meets 10,000 people in his lifetime. Therefore, if each one creates an impact in the lives of just 10 of the thousands of people you meet, and each of those 10 creates a similar impact in a further 10, then in five generations, an individual could create change in the lives of millions across the world.

Take for example the Westgate terror attack back in 2013; a security guard made the decision against all odds to go back to give a helping hand to fellow. A simple act.

Picture a young woman engaging in all manner of gossip into the ear of a speeding matatu driver but fails to speak out against his recklessness on the road. A simple act. Or a mechanic taking precaution to ensure the car is safe. A simple act.

These seemingly simple acts save lives. A simple decision made by one person can save generations of lives. Changing the world can happen anywhere and anyone can do it.

While we all have different ideas on how the world will look like after we change it, I have a few humble suggestion on how we can actually go about it.

These lessons, I learned while I was still a student training to become a teacher. An individual’s age, gender, ethnicity, religious background or social status does not matter — we face the same struggles, struggles that need the same counter measures to combat.

I studied for my Bachelor of Arts in Education for four years at the University of Nairobi. I laboured for the four years, often feeling overworked and overburdened by endless study groups, assignments and exams.

University education is very demanding. The process seeks to find those that can stand out from the crowd, those that can excel under pressure - a lifetime of challenges, crammed into four years.

I would remember the lessons from my dear mother, the one about making beds. I knew, that if done properly, the corners will be squared, the covers pulled tight, the pillows centred and the blanket folded neatly at the foot of the bed.

The wisdom that comes with this simple act of making your bed has been proven to me many times over. It will give you a small sense of pride and encourage you to accomplish another, then another, then another.

Making your bed in the morning will reinforce the fact that the little things matter. And if by chance you have a miserable day, at least you will come back to a bed that is made. That you made. And that will give you encouragement that tomorrow will be better.

Throughout my life’s challenges, I have always woken up in the morning and made my bed. When I lost my father, I made my bed. When struggling through university, I made my bed. When struggling to raise my children while their father was incarcerated, I made my bed, and taught them to make theirs.

That’s why I want to impart to you the importance of this life lesson. Make. Your. Beds.

Ida Odinga is a businesswoman, activist and educator. She is the wife of Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya and Cord principal.