diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8eced835..aa2a8b95 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -51,23 +51,19 @@ sudo apt-get install -y fonts-dejavu
 
 ## Performance Optimization
 
-To reduce flickering and improve display quality, you have two options:
+To reduce flickering and improve display quality:
 
-1. Run the program with root privileges (quick solution):
+1. Edit `/boot/firmware/cmdline.txt`:
 ```bash
-sudo python3 clock.py
+sudo nano /boot/firmware/cmdline.txt
 ```
 
-2. For better performance (recommended):
-   - Edit `/boot/firmware/cmdline.txt`:
-     ```bash
-     sudo nano /boot/firmware/cmdline.txt
-     ```
-   - Add `isolcpus=3` at the end of the line
-   - Save and reboot:
-     ```bash
-     sudo reboot
-     ```
+2. Add `isolcpus=3` at the end of the line
+
+3. Save and reboot:
+```bash
+sudo reboot
+```
 
 ## Configuration
 
@@ -76,12 +72,17 @@ Edit the `config/config.json` file to customize:
 - Display settings (brightness, dimensions)
 - Clock format and update interval
 
+For sensitive settings like API keys:
+1. Copy the template: `cp config/config_secrets.template.json config/config_secrets.json`
+2. Edit `config/config_secrets.json` with your API keys
+
 ## Running the Clock
 
-To start the clock with optimal performance:
+The program must be run with root privileges to access the LED matrix hardware:
+
 ```bash
 cd src
-sudo python3 clock.py
+sudo python3 display_controller.py
 ```
 
 To stop the clock, press Ctrl+C.
@@ -93,4 +94,5 @@ To stop the clock, press Ctrl+C.
   - `config_manager.py` - Configuration management
   - `display_manager.py` - LED matrix display handling
 - `config/`
-  - `config.json` - Configuration settings 
\ No newline at end of file
+  - `config.json` - Configuration settings
+  - `config_secrets.json` - Private settings (not in git) 
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/display_manager.py b/src/display_manager.py
index a14ab2cc..b69dbe16 100644
--- a/src/display_manager.py
+++ b/src/display_manager.py
@@ -4,22 +4,46 @@ import time
 from typing import Dict, Any
 
 class DisplayManager:
+    _instance = None
+    _initialized = False
+
+    def __new__(cls, *args, **kwargs):
+        if cls._instance is None:
+            cls._instance = super(DisplayManager, cls).__new__(cls)
+        return cls._instance
+
     def __init__(self, config: Dict[str, Any]):
-        self.config = config
-        self.matrix = self._setup_matrix()
-        self.font = ImageFont.truetype("DejaVuSans.ttf", 24)
-        self.image = Image.new('RGB', (self.matrix.width, self.matrix.height))
-        self.draw = ImageDraw.Draw(self.image)
+        # Only initialize once
+        if not DisplayManager._initialized:
+            self.config = config
+            self.matrix = self._setup_matrix()
+            self.font = ImageFont.truetype("DejaVuSans.ttf", 24)
+            self.image = Image.new('RGB', (self.matrix.width, self.matrix.height))
+            self.draw = ImageDraw.Draw(self.image)
+            DisplayManager._initialized = True
 
     def _setup_matrix(self) -> RGBMatrix:
         """Setup the RGB matrix with the provided configuration."""
         options = RGBMatrixOptions()
+        
+        # Hardware specific settings
+        options.hardware_mapping = 'adafruit-hat'  # Set for Adafruit Bonnet/HAT
+        options.gpio_slowdown = 4  # Required for Pi 3
         options.rows = self.config.get('rows', 32)
         options.cols = self.config.get('cols', 64)
         options.chain_length = self.config.get('chain_length', 2)
-        options.hardware_mapping = 'adafruit-hat'
-        options.gpio_slowdown = 4
+        options.parallel = 1
+        options.pwm_bits = 11
         options.brightness = self.config.get('brightness', 50)
+        options.pwm_lsb_nanoseconds = 130
+        options.led_rgb_sequence = "RGB"
+        options.pixel_mapper_config = ""
+        options.multiplexing = 0
+        
+        # Additional options for stability
+        options.disable_hardware_pulsing = False
+        options.show_refresh_rate = 1
+        options.limit_refresh_rate_hz = 100
         
         return RGBMatrix(options=options)
 
@@ -36,4 +60,7 @@ class DisplayManager:
 
     def cleanup(self):
         """Clean up resources."""
-        self.matrix.Clear() 
\ No newline at end of file
+        self.matrix.Clear()
+        # Reset the singleton state when cleaning up
+        DisplayManager._instance = None
+        DisplayManager._initialized = False 
\ No newline at end of file