She Made Her Bed

 

We started the class by sitting in a large circle, just like we do in every Promethean Spark class.  As we asked the class how they were feeling that morning, we had a variety of responses:  good, tired, happy, etc.  Hafsa, however, indicated that she didn't feel like herself; she felt like a new person.  Although we couldn't analyze her comment in the moment, I could see in her expression that she was glowing.  She was processing something deeply meaningful.  

As I was bidding farewell to everyone after class, Hafsa came to me with determination as she said, "Rachel, I need to tell you something!"  She had already shared her thoughts with Shaun Parry, and now she was eager to share with me and Diana.  Once we were the only ones left in the room, Shaun, Diana, Hafsa and I gathered together.  Hafsa then shared her special secret: 

To be frank, she initially thought our class was a bunch of rubbish-- that the concepts we teach really aren't that important or impactful.  She was often late to class, and was sometimes a disrespectful distraction for others.  This pattern of behavior continued for several days... until this particular day.  

The night before, as Hafsa was going to sleep, she had a simple conversation with herself that went something like this:

"Hafsa, you need to do something tomorrow..."

"Okay... what should I do?"

"Something... maybe be on time tomorrow?"

"Why?"

"I don't know.  You just need to do something."

"Okay, okay, I will do this."

In the morning, Hafsa surprised herself as she immediately made her bed when she got up.  This was not normal!  She then surprised herself again -- this time including her mother -- when she made breakfast for herself for the first time ever!  Her mother had a hard time believing that she was seeing her very own daughter that morning.  True to the goal she had set the night before, Hafsa made it to class on time.  In fact, she was several minutes early!   

She could feel the spark of change within her.  She started to realize that the life skills we had been teaching her -- focus, goal setting, responsibility, discipline, etc. -- really do make a difference.  The vision for her life and her capacity to accomplish difficult tasks shifted.  If she can make her bed and do these other small things, then she can reach her bigger goals! 

Hafsa was beaming as she shared her story with us.  When she finished, we rejoiced with her by hugging and giving high fives.  She got it!  She started to grasp the dream!

  

It could have just been one morning of success for Hafsa, but I have been thrilled to see her arriving to class on time ever since that day.  Her comments have become extra passionate and deep in class, and she is evolving into a strong leader for her classmates.  She continues to beam each day. 

Even today, Hafsa proved her strength and determination to learn and grow after she was robbed at knife point on her way to class.  She was just outside the campus complex when a man stopped her and threatened to kill her if she didn't hand over her phone.  Several of us at the center rushed to her aid when we heard her frightened screams.  The man had fled, and Hafsa was physically unharmed, but she was clearly traumatized.  I held her as she sobbed, and those of us from the center escorted her gingerly to the dance room.  Hafsa could have decided at any moment to go home and to quit her classes for the day... but she didn't.  She sat with us.  She breathed with us.  She talked with us.  She danced with us.  Hafsa's glow returned, brighter and brighter, as the class progressed. 

Maybe you already make your bed every morning.  If you don't, start now!  That small, daily victory sets the energy for the day, and primes you for success.  If you already have a habit of making your bed each day, maybe pick another small thing that you can start doing every day.  Set the goal.  Focus on accomplishing it.  Discipline yourself to do it daily.  Take responsibility for doing it.  I promise you that you will feel the spark of change within you, and your life will become even better.  

Hafsa is becoming a new person-- and it all started with making her bed.

You can become a new person too.