We Are Never Finished

There are only two physical macro states in life: asleep and awake. Somewhere between one-sixth and one-third of life is spent sleeping. The rest of the time — between 16 and 20 hours per day — is divided into what we do and experience along the way.

Wake → Eat → Exercise → Work → Family time → Personal time → Sleep.

Repeat.

Those are the “buckets” of general classification for what I do and experience. Like so many, I spend far too much time in the eating and working buckets and far too little in the family time, personal time, and sleeping buckets.

Entropy is a lack of order or predictability; a gradual decline into disorder. Entropy appears to be one of those governing laws of the universe that shows up with relentless force in our everyday lives.

There’s a great line near the beginning of the animated film The Incredibles where Mr. Incredible, while being interviewed, says, “No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved!! You know?! For a little bit.”

Mr. Incredible’s comment is applicable to the world and to our individual lives:

• Weeds take over a green space that isn’t properly maintained.
• Dishes pile up next to sinks.
• Dust falls, layer upon layer, if not wiped away.
• Batteries die in phones when not charged.
• Relationships deteriorate when not cultivated.
• In many instances, without proper care, our bodies give way prematurely to failed health.

Life consists largely of time spent fighting entropy. To maintain a green space, someone has to give it attention: pulling weeds, and applying water and nutrients to help things grow. Unless you order every meal as take-out, there will be at least some dishes to wash. Dust must be removed in order to maintain a clean living space. The elusive charger must be found to keep a phone operational. Relationships need attention. Our bodies need proper fuel, rest, and exercise.

Fighting entropy can be exhausting. Our inability to get things done can be, at least in part, attributed to the disorder of everyday life. It can take a toll on our well-being and routinely disrupts the plans we’ve made.

Despite our best efforts, entropy sneaks in, causing unforeseen setbacks and challenges. It’s a relentless struggle of playing catch-up with the chaos.

So, do we just give up and succumb to the entropic pressures in our lives?

Of course not!

There seems to be something in the nature of humanity that craves order and will fight the chaos to introduce and maintain order wherever possible. Sometimes, we’re better off because of our efforts. Sometimes, perhaps not so much.

Through life’s unending battle against entropy, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and to question the value of our efforts. Who we are is found in fixing, changing, and fighting the chaos of life. We develop greater fortitude, resilience, and ability to thrive in the face of adversity as we wrestle with disorder. If we let it, the chaos can define us, but determination to confront the chaos head-on is part of what it means to be human. Our resistance to the chaos, no matter how small the effort, is what defines us.