As I cleaned my bookcase, I gave special attention to the upper shelves that display a few books, pictures and décor. I thought how important it is to keep the eye-level shelves clean and looking good because after all, those are the shelves that people can see.

I decided to stoop down and clean the bottom shelf and realized that it’s the bottom shelf that’s most important. It is the base that holds it all together and keeps everything standing firm. You may be top shelf today, but don’t ever forget about what’s underneath you and holding you up. You may not see it, but you know that you’re drawing from its strength. Every now and then, remember to come down and make sure the base is clean even if no one ever looks at it.