Gleanings: Predicaments

“Life is not a spectacle or a feast; it is a predicament.” ~George Santayana, philosopher, essayist, poet, novelist.

I laughed when I read the quote. Then I looked up the word predicament, to make certain I was understanding. The definition given in the Oxford Dictionary for the word predicament is: ‘a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation’. So then I laughed again, because yes, I understood, all too fully. The quote is a perfect description of my life.

Every day there are a myriad of difficult or unpleasant or embarrassing situations to deal with. I have not yet come to terms with this fact of life. My mind is distracted by all these situations demanding my attention. Most days I can set them aside long enough to write for a few hours. However, not today. Today I won’t be writing because I absolutely must get tax info organized, deal with a sick chick, a house repair, and mowing before the weeds obscure the roses. Each one of those is a predicament for me.

Not writing enough is another predicament. It is what it is, and all a balancing act. Yet, now I smile, because in writing this post, I’ve seen my life a little more clearly. This is something I can bring into my writing. I’m encouraged, too, when I think of George Santayana, author of the quote. He was quite the writer, although obviously his life was a predicament, too.

God bless,
CurtissAnn