My writer’s brain required that I research the idea, and I quickly was reminded of the scientific concept of entropy.
I don’t want to get into the physical sciences related to the idea - it’s vast, only how entropy matters in our lives.
Change is the defining characteristic of the universe, and entropy is an essential part of that change. It’s the natural tendency of things to lose order or fall apart. We age, structures crumble, vehicles rust, and weeds overtake gardens.
It’s normal, but you can fight back.
Reducing entropy is keeping things as ordered and as structured as possible. It involves a conscious effort to create an orderly life. It’s a constant balancing act to achieve but necessary for forward motion. Remember, you’re either growing or dying; there is no middle ground.
Your body, mind, relationships, finances, and career will fall apart until you build systems, habits, routines, and rituals to keep your life going in the right direction.
As far as I know, there is no other way. The universe naturally slides toward disorder, towards chaos. You must expend energy to maintain an even keel. Successful friendships require planning and communication. Successful businesses need sacrifice and creativity. Successful health requires discipline and flexibility. Without effort, things will decay.
Entropy will always fight back in the form of Murphy’s Law - Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, but that Gentle Reader is life. It’s how you look at these challenges that sets the tone. Consider them as ways to stay alert to the possibilities and opportunities that can materialize in your life.
Every challenge comes with a lesson.
The greater our capacity to seek out these lessons and spot things we would have missed, then the greater the likelihood that we can turn disaster into rewards.
Entropy is a normal state of the universe, and we cannot stop it from doing what it does. What we can do is have control over creating order in our environment through our habits. If we get that right, everything changes. You can find peace and meaning. You just have to be willing to take action.
