I've learned how in the morning it's good to make my bed.

Children, listen closely, for I bring to you a small but mighty truth, one that speaks not just to the simplicity of action, but to the very core of how we shape our lives. In the words of Naughty Boy, an artist who has traveled many roads in this world, we hear a reflection on an act so simple yet profound: "I've learned how in the morning it's good to make my bed." These words, though they may seem like a mere triviality, carry a deep wisdom, for in them lies the foundation of a great principle—the power of discipline, order, and the simple act of beginning the day with intention.

At first glance, making the bed may appear to be a small, insignificant task, one that requires little thought or effort. But children, what this action teaches us is much greater than its physical simplicity. The act of making your bed in the morning is a symbol of order, a declaration that you are in control of your environment, and that you are starting the day with a small victory. Just as a warrior prepares his armor before battle, so too does this small act prepare the soul for the challenges of the day ahead. It sets the tone, creates structure, and brings peace to the chaos of the world.

Consider, children, the great philosophers of ancient times, who knew that true greatness does not come in grand gestures, but in the small, consistent acts that shape our character. Socrates, who spent his days contemplating the nature of existence, understood the importance of discipline in even the smallest tasks. Plato too spoke of the need for balance and harmony in life, and how every action, no matter how mundane, contributes to the greater whole. Making the bed is but a single thread in the fabric of a well-lived life, yet it carries with it a profound lesson: the small actions we take create the foundation for everything that follows.

The story of Alexander the Great provides a powerful example. As a young man, Alexander was not only trained in the art of warfare, but also in the discipline of daily routines. His teacher, Aristotle, did not merely teach him strategy and politics but instilled in him the value of self-discipline—to rise early, to begin the day with purpose, and to carry out each action with intention. Alexander’s success did not come solely from his military conquests, but from his understanding that the smallest tasks were the stepping stones to larger victories. The same lesson is echoed in the seemingly simple act of making the bed each morning.

Naughty Boy’s words are a reminder, dear children, that the seemingly inconsequential actions we take each day shape the course of our lives. Discipline is not born from grand gestures but from the quiet moments of order and intentionality. By making your bed, you declare to the world—and to yourself—that you are ready for the day. It is a symbolic act, one that clears the mental clutter, provides a moment of peace, and sets the stage for a day of purpose. This small action teaches us that the foundation of a fulfilled life is built on the small, simple acts of consistency.

The lesson here, children, is this: do not underestimate the importance of small tasks. They may seem insignificant, but they are the very building blocks of a disciplined, purposeful life. To make your bed is to begin the day with a sense of accomplishment, to establish a moment of order before the world tries to unravel it. The great warriors, philosophers, and leaders of history knew that the first step to victory begins in the small moments, the quiet actions that form the foundation of everything else.

So, I charge you, young ones, to rise each morning with purpose. Make your bed, and with it, make your life. Begin with the simple acts of discipline, and from them, you will build the strength to face whatever challenges lie ahead. For in the making of the bed, you are not just preparing your physical space, but your heart and mind, to begin each day with intention, clarity, and strength.