Today is Christmas in Russia and so I post this news story which I found to be heartwarming.

I am not one to set resolutions at the new year. This is because I know myself too well. I know that I will not carry through on my weak determinations at losing ten pounds or walking a mile every day. However, after reflecting on my faults during Advent, the start of a new year seems the perfect time for a fresh start at reforming myself. Years ago when I was dating my chemistry student husband-to-be he explained to me the Law of Entropy over a cup of Denny's coffee. That was the only date we could afford in those college days and with unlimited refills we drank a lot of coffee. He told me that everything seeks its lowest energy potential. Perhaps his wording was a little different but since then I have thought of this law as order seeking disorder. I see this law at work in everything from the linen closet to the back yard. Everything takes work to maintain and my life is no different. Without diligence in guarding my mind, my heart, and my time, my life easily and naturally slides into chaos. So, after taking spiritual inventory during December, January is a good time to tidy up and de-clutter myself.

De-cluttering oneself is especially difficult when one's mind is cluttered. "Cluttered" may be a bit generous in my case of late. Disheveled is closer to the mark. So, my aspiration this year is to become a more organized person; the focus of which is to be mentally organized. Of course, writing things in my weekly planner and actually looking at it on occasion will help too. There is also the issue of having a place for everything so everything can be in its place, but without a desk of my own, my papers and such will remain migratory for the time being and this issue must wait its turn for resolution. In the mean time, I will continue daydreaming of a small roll top desk. 

Returning to the issue at hand, my mind, I think of the words of The Revelation to St. John, "Do the works you did at first." True, Christ was speaking of returning to one's first love, but the principle of restoration applies to this need also. Back in the day when my mind was young and fresh and focus powers came easily I did a great deal of reading. I also enjoyed the same kinds of diversions I do now but I could afford them then. Now I must wean myself from the time eaters because I have less time in my account to spend. Not only that, but time passes more quickly than it once did. The perspective of time changes as we age, but I can write about that another time. Returning to those earlier habits may prove more difficult than I might hope because I simply have more things I must do and think about now.

Nevertheless, I will take the plunge and dust off that book that sits on my nightstand. I think it's called The Odyssey or something like that. Perhaps you know of it. It's about this guy who wants to get back home. I can relate to the poor fellow because I want the same thing. I have a memory of this peaceful, well-ordered place of comfort and productivity and I want to return there. That's what the ongoing restoration of life is about, continually getting back home where we ought to be and undoing the ever active entropy by pressing on and reordering our lives after God that we might be eye to eye, heart to heart, and toe to toe with him. Organization of mind and a reordering of priorities may seem merely practical activities but in the big picture they can have an eternal impact.