A new week on a fresh surrounding.

over 1 year ago

Good morning, everyone, happy new month, it's Monday here again.
I hope you all had a peaceful and refreshing night’s rest. Personally, I slept so well the kind of deep, undisturbed sleep that leaves you waking up feeling brand new, almost like a reset button was pressed while you were in dreamland. This morning, I woke up feeling energized, clear-headed, and genuinely excited to embrace whatever the day would bring.

As I stretched and got out of bed, I found myself thinking about not just how we take care of ourselves, but also the spaces we live in. Our environment whether it's our room, our compound, or even our little corners of the world — deserves the same level of care we give to our own bodies. That thought alone motivated me. So I decided to dedicate my morning to some good old-fashioned cleaning not the rushed kind, but the intentional, deliberate kind that leaves you feeling proud when you're done.

I grabbed my broom and got to work. I started sweeping the compound, taking my time to get into the corners where dust loves to hide. I didn’t stop at just sweeping the floors either. I raised my eyes to the walls and ceiling and noticed a few cobwebs lurking up there, so I tackled those too. There's something oddly satisfying about clearing out cobwebs it feels symbolic, almost like you're clearing away mental clutter as well.

When I finished inside, I stepped outside towards the fence where some stubborn weeds had decided to take root. I rolled up my sleeves and pulled them out, one by one, feeling strangely connected to the earth with each tug. It wasn't just about neatness; it was about showing respect for the space that shelters and supports me every day.

You know, they say “cleanliness is next to godliness,” and the older I get, the more that saying makes perfect sense to me. A clean environment doesn’t just look good it feels good. It reflects a certain mindset: one of discipline, respect, and gratitude. Taking care of our surroundings is, in a way, taking care of our own spirit too.

This love for cleanliness didn’t just appear out of nowhere for me. It’s a value that was rooted deep during my formative years, especially during my time in boarding school. Back then, no matter how sleepy we were, we had to get up early often before the first light of dawn to clean the school grounds. Morning mass would end, and before we even thought about breakfast or books, we would be out there, brooms and rags in hand, cleaning every inch of the school.

Everyone had an assigned area the dormitories, the classrooms, the chapel, the staff quarters, even the football fields and the science labs got regular attention. It didn’t matter if you were a senior or a junior; everyone had their role to play. At the time, of course, we grumbled and dragged our feet. It felt like punishment sometimes. But looking back now, I see how much those small, daily acts of responsibility shaped me.

They taught me that no task is too small or insignificant. They taught me pride in the work of my hands. And most importantly, they taught me that taking care of your environment is part of taking care of yourself and respecting the people around you.

Now as an adult, I carry those lessons everywhere I go. Whether I’m living alone or sharing a space, I don't wait for someone to point out the dirt or expect someone else to handle it. I step up and take care of it because it’s second nature to me now. Not for praise, not to show off — just because it's the right thing to do. And this morning was no different.

I took my time, moved with intention, and when I was done, I stepped back and admired the transformation. It wasn’t just about the cleaner floors or the weed-free fence it was the feeling of accomplishment, of setting the tone for the rest of my day. There’s a quiet pride that comes from doing something well, even when no one else sees it.

I genuinely believe that if more of us adopted this mindset taking personal responsibility for the spaces we occupy we would create cleaner, more peaceful communities. Small efforts add up. It doesn’t take a big committee or a major project to start; it starts with the simple decision to pick up a broom, clear a corner, pull a weed, and care for what’s ours.

So today, as you go about your activities, I encourage you to take a moment to look around your own space your room, your office, your front porch. Give it a little attention, a little love. You’ll be surprised how much lighter, calmer, and more focused you’ll feel afterward.