This week I think I will take a note from our ace, young reporter here at the Register, Fiona, and write a column about spring cleaning.

But, this column is about five ways to do some spring cleaning in your life. I know, that sounds a little strange, but let me explain.

The first one is to get involved in your community. Join a group that does things for the community, or go out on your own and do something. Maybe it is picking up trash while you are on a walk, or helping a neighbor plant a garden.

There are so many groups and organizations that are just looking for people to join them in their efforts to do some things to improve the very place where you live. Find one and join it. It could be Lions, Kiwanis, 4-H, school organizations, chamber committees or a church group.

If you get real ambitious, run for public office and serve on a board or a council and make a real difference in the place where you live.

The second one is to pay it forward. That was a concept that was being touted many years ago, but lately I have seen some examples of it returning.

We were in Florida this past month when a perfect stranger paid the tab for a group of us that were in a beach restaurant. He did not know us from Adam, and just wanted to do something nice for someone. He said, ‘Just do something nice for someone else.’

So I guess you could also call it just random acts of kindness. And trust me, I think the world could stand some more random acts of kindness, everywhere.

The third one is to slow down and smell the roses. If there are not any roses yet, slow down and take a deep breath of spring air.

Slowing down is especially true for driving. I know, I know, I have ranted and raved about speeding and being a courteous driver in the past, but it still needs to be done. And I know it is true, because I hear others complain about it too.

Everyone is in such a hurry to get somewhere. They race down streets, hardly slow down for a yield sign or even a stop sign, or a roundabout or on the highways. Is everyone late for work, dinner, an appointment or whatever?

Maybe everyone should leave 10 minutes before they have to, and take a leisurely, relaxing drive. And then also nicely let someone pull out of a parking lot, or go through the roundabout, or enjoy safely crossing the street because you stopped to let them do it.

Be a good driver, a nice driver. Try it, you could like it.

The fourth item is a little more difficult to do. It is to mend a fence, or make a visit that you need to do. Clean up a relationship.

In other words, contact someone you have not seen in a long time. Maybe you just drifted apart, or maybe there was some issue that caused you not to see each other for a long time.

But, just try randomly connecting with an old friend or relative you have not seen in a long, long time.

We have done some of that lately, and it has been interesting in some cases, and downright amazing in others. In one case, it was some relatives I had not seen in ages. In another, it was friends from years ago. In another, it was a classmate from more than 50 years ago.

Will we stay in touch? Maybe, maybe not. But it still was worth the effort.

The fifth one has to do with money. I know, that almost automatically makes it a touchy subject. We all have some money. Some folks have just a little bit of it, others have quite a bit of it, and others have a whole bunch of it.

It is what you do with your money that can make a difference in your life. Some people buy nicer cars, a bigger boat, a larger, more beautiful house, or, well you get the idea. Others just try and get the monthly bills paid.

But, suggestion number five has to do with doing something meaningful with at least some of your money.

Help someone in need. Give something to a worthwhile cause, like a food shelf, or a group that is going to try and do something wonderful for the community where you live. Support a church or other charitable group with your money.

There are a couple of groups right now, here in Blue Earth, that are trying to make some big things happen, and could use your help. A new playground and a new natural history museum come to my mind, but there are others as well.

OK, enough preaching. I will get off the podium, the pulpit and my high horse, and return to normal.

But, I am going to go out and do some things. Like slow down, help a neighbor, make a donation, join a group and contact that long lost friend. How about you?