It’s only been about a year now since I’ve realized a very encouraging principle for a very discouraging reality.

We all know that certain jobs will never be done. Laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. have to be done over and over. However, I used to get very discouraged when I would tackle a certain problem area to organize it or fix it or decorate it, only to notice a few weeks later that it’s condition was once again deteriorating.

But at some point it clicked, a lesson from some science class somewhere.

“Everything in the universe tends to disorder.” 

More correctly stated:

And a definition for the all-important word “entropy:”

And there you have it.

Though it feels so good to step back from a project or job and admire the order I see, at some little place in my head I need to remember that this space, too, is subject to the laws of the universe. It will become disorderly again without work and effort.

Sometimes I just walk through my house putting in back in order or cleaning something I had just cleaned the day before and think to myself, “Houses just take constant maintenance.” And not just the laundry, cooking and cleaning  -all of it. It’s no longer a reason for discouragement. Hopefully it’s an incentive to dive in and thoughtfully strive to bring order to this little place under my dominion.

Perhaps I’ve been thinking about this more because with being pregnant I have really seen how quickly things lose order when extra rest or downtime is needed.

Some of my New Year’s goals are aimed at organization and consistent maintenance of our little dwelling place. I am certainly not the best housekeeper in the world, but his is an area where I want to grow.

What about you?

I’ve read about every organization post I can find. = ) Now what I’m working on is taking all those ideas and making them work around here. Little by little, step by step.