It's like rain on your wedding day...

On 4 January 2008, I criticized Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love". One of my problems with the book was the fact that not everyone is able to do like the author did: take a year off to face themselves and work through some of their issues. The book stank of privilege in that regard, and I said so.

I find it quite ironic that after cricitizing her for being able to do it, I have had most of the eighteen months since then to do the same.

Though not entirely. While Gilbert did not have to be concerned about finances during that time, and while she did not have to be concerned about finding meaningful employment at the end of her sabbatical, I did/do. There is privilege inherent in the fact that I have had this kind of financial cushion. But that is also due to the fact that I saw this coming and planned for it. No one gave me my financial cushion; I worked hard for it and have been a good steward with it. Good stewardship combined with luck has kept me fairly stable.

I am not sure there is anything deep to say when I compare my situation to Gilbert's, but I wanted to note the irony.