Organization provides the framework for reaching the important goal, but flexibility allows us to do so without losing our patience. Flexibility helps us retain our joy.

I was supposed to write about organization, but recently something happened, and I can't pass up the opportunity to share about it.

My husband Terry and I were excited to go to the beach to dig razor clams. Obstacles prevented us from heading out as soon as we wanted, but we finally hitched up the camper and started out. We'd be able to dig clams on that evening's low tide if we hurried.

Before jumping into the topic of organization, I need to state a disclaimer: I'm not an organized person, nor do I believe being organized makes one holy. I view organization as a necessary evil.

So why blog about it? Because neither am I a fan of chaos. For anything to get done in a timely manner, a plan is needed. There is a level of organization necessary if we are to succeed.

I've stolen the phrase, "The Gentle Art of Learning," from Karen Andreola's book "A Charlotte Mason Companion," because it is the perfect description of how many believe we should educate our children. There is no valid reason for the strict schedules and rigid pre-set goals forced upon many students by arbitrary scope and sequences and standardized tests. Children are predisposed to learn, but this does not mean they thrill to be tested, or are interested in the same things a distant national organization deems appropriate.