Continuity

It's really an amazing concept, continuity. Merriam-Webster defines it as "uninterrupted connection, succession, or union b : uninterrupted duration or continuation especially without essential change" I feel like my life is a lot like that. Uninterrupted duration or continuation especially without essential change.

This is probably a good thing.

When I stop to consider things, which isn't often, I begin to think that my life isn't about continuity. It's about a lot of things that are continuous. And it's these continuous tasks that I harbor a deep resentment of. Laundry, for example. Laundry does not essentially change. Change goes against it's very nature. Diapers are another great example. Change one or ten a day, there still more to change tomorrow. At least diapers aren't a lifelong task.

So, let's list the continuous tasks that fill my days:
1. Showering. Can't stop doing that one. And how does one change showering? Does a shampoo or soap switch constitute an essential change?

Let's pause the listmaking for a moment. What, exactly, is an essential change? Back to trusty M-W.
Essential: "of, relating to, or constituting essence: INHERENT" Ok. So that's the official definition of essential.
Change: "to make different in some particular: ALTER" Well now, we're getting somewhere. That's pretty straightforward.

But that essential business isn't so clear. Like many forays into the dictionary, it's time to flip through to look up the definition of a word used in the definition I wanted in the first place. So...
Essence: "the permanent as contrasted with the accidental element of being b : the individual, real, or ultimate nature of a thing especially as opposed to its existence c : the properties or attributes by means of which something can be placed in its proper class or identified as being what it is"

For the sake of argument, let us use the above defintions to define essential change as "to make different the ultimate nature of a thing."

I think it's safe to say that, using the above definition, it is possible to essential change the act of showering. It's just not terribly effective to do so.

Ok, that's taken care of. Back to the list.

(For people with short memories the first item listed was 'showering.' Read the above comments for clarification.)

1. Showering.
2. Laundry. But we've discussed this already, no need to revisit.
3. Diapers. See above comment. Then see further above to avoid confusion.
4. Grocery shopping. Sure, you may buy different stuff every trip. But you still load your carrier (be that arms, arms of an accompanying shopper, arms of a stranger, handbasket, or cart), then pay for your stuff. Sometimes the price is too high, or too low, or just right but it's essentially the same. Want to argue the point? Check the above definitions first. Or, go look up "essentially" yourself, if you don't believe me. I declare Grocery shopping to be a continuous task. Until the day when someone else loads the carrier and I don't have to pay for all contents therein, anyway.
5. Hopefully, most hygeine related tasks can be placed in the 'continuous task' category. If you feel the need to argue, make sure you've showered and brushed your teeth first.


I could go on. Perhaps on another day, when I have a little more free time, I will. But for now, I have dinner to cook. So I have to run.

Hmm. I think 'preparing meals' should be on this list somewhere.

Another time. Another universe. Of course, I'm sure it would be as continuous as this one.

Beth

My first foray.

Occasionally, I find myself sitting that the keyboard wishing I had something to type that doesn't start with www. I think that's part of why I started this bloggin' thing. Cause I like to type.

Well, not exactly.

And it's not like I have eons of free time, either.

I suppose I think of this as a way to empty my brain. And who knows? It might even be interesting. Maybe it will catch on. Maybe I'll start a trend. The possibilities are endless.

Thanks for stopping by.