# The Art of Excuses #

Daily writing prompt
What is the best excuse you have heard lately?

Hello dear friends,

I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood.

Today’s writing prompt made me smile the moment I read it:

“What is the best excuse you have heard lately?”

At first glance, it sounds like a funny question. But if we pause for a moment, excuses reveal much more than just clever words. They expose our fears, creativity, priorities, and sometimes our remarkable ability to avoid responsibility.

We have all heard excuses that made us laugh, shake our heads, or secretly admire the imagination behind them.

Some are so convincing that they deserve an award for creativity, while others are transparent enough to make everyone smile.

From childhood to old age, excuses accompany us throughout life.

  • A child says,
    “The dog ate my homework.”
  • A student claims,
    “My internet stopped working just before I submitted the assignment.”
  • An employee explains,
    “Traffic was unusually bad today.”
  • Even retirees find themselves saying,
    “I’ll start exercising tomorrow because today is too hot.”

Different stages of life, different excuses—but the habit remains surprisingly constant.

Recently, I heard someone explain why they had not replied to an important message for several days.

They smiled and said,

“I wasn’t ignoring you. I was giving my thoughts enough time to mature before responding.”

I couldn’t help laughing.

It transformed procrastination into philosophical wisdom!

Whether true or not, it was certainly one of the most elegant excuses I have heard in recent times.

Psychologists suggest that excuses often protect our self-image.

Admitting mistakes can feel uncomfortable. Instead of saying,
“I forgot,”
we say,
“I had too many things happening.”

Instead of saying,
“I wasn’t prepared,”
we blame circumstances.

Excuses provide temporary comfort, but they rarely solve the real problem.

As the saying goes,

“Excuses make today easier, but tomorrow harder. Discipline makes today harder but tomorrow easier.”

Some excuses deserve recognition for their sheer imagination.

Imagine hearing:

My alarm clock and I mutually agreed to sleep a little longer.”

Or,

“I couldn’t attend because my calendar forgot to remind me.”

These humorous explanations may not convince anyone, but they certainly brighten the conversation.

Sometimes, laughter is worth more than perfect honesty.

Modern life has gifted us an entirely new collection of explanations.

  • “My phone battery died.”
  • “My Wi-Fi disappeared.”
  • “The meeting link didn’t open.”
  • “The file wasn’t uploading.”
  • Artificial intelligence may soon inspire even newer ones:
  • “AI gave me the wrong answer!”

Technology has changed our lives—and our excuses have evolved right along with it.

There is an important distinction.

A reason explains what genuinely happened.

An excuse attempts to avoid responsibility.

Suppose heavy rain prevents someone from reaching work. That is a reason.

But claiming heavy rain when the sky is perfectly clear—that becomes an excuse.

Learning to recognize this difference is part of emotional maturity.

One of the strongest sentences in any language is surprisingly simple:

“I made a mistake.”

Those four words build trust.

People generally forgive honest errors much faster than elaborate excuses.

Leaders, teachers, parents, and friends earn respect not because they never fail, but because they accept responsibility when they do.

Honesty may feel uncomfortable for a few moments, but excuses often create discomfort that lasts much longer.

Perhaps that is why this writing prompt is so enjoyable.

It reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously.

The best excuses become memorable stories. They entertain family gatherings, office conversations, and friendly reunions for years.

Many of us can instantly recall someone’s unforgettable explanation and laugh all over again.

Life needs these little moments of humor.

The best excuse I have heard lately wasn’t memorable because it fooled anyone. It was memorable because it reflected the wonderful creativity of the human mind.

Perhaps excuses are tiny stories we tell ourselves to make reality a little easier to accept.

Yet, the happiest and most successful people gradually replace excuses with action.

Instead of saying, “I couldn’t,” they ask, “How can I?”

Maybe that’s the real lesson behind today’s prompt.

So, dear friends, I leave you with a smile and a question:

What is the funniest, smartest, or most unbelievable excuse you have heard lately?

I’d love to hear your story. After all, every excuse carries a tale—and sometimes, that tale is even more interesting than the truth itself.

“Excuses may explain the past, but actions create the future.”

BE HAPPY… BE ACTIVE… BE FOCUSED… BE ALIVE

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 www.retiredkalam.com



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14 replies

  1. Verma ji,

    What a brilliantly crafted piece! You’ve managed to take something as mundane as excuses and turn it into a mirror reflecting our shared humanity—our fears, our creativity, and yes, our occasional reluctance to own up.

    That line about giving your thoughts “time to mature” before responding is an absolute gem. I may have to borrow that one (with due credit, of course)!

    But what struck me most was how you balanced the humor with genuine wisdom. Your observation that “excuses make today easier, but tomorrow harder” is the kind of truth that lingers long after reading. And your reminder that “I made a mistake” are four of the most powerful words we can utter—that’s the kind of insight that can actually change lives.

    You’ve also beautifully captured how technology has given us a fresh vocabulary of excuses, and your playful nod to AI’s future contributions made me chuckle. It shows how observant you are about the times we live in.

    The question you left us with is wonderful: What excuse have we heard lately? It invites us to laugh at ourselves and with each other, which is perhaps the healthiest response to our all-too-human habit of dodging responsibility now and then.

    This piece wasn’t just entertaining—it was thoughtful, warm, and quietly profound. Thank you for sharing your perspective with such wit and grace. You’ve reminded us that while excuses may be universal, the choice to trade them for action is what truly defines us.

    Looking forward to reading more of your reflections!

    Warm regards,
    Srikanth

    Liked by 3 people

    • Thank you so much for your incredibly thoughtful and generous words. Your appreciation truly means a great deal to me.

      I’m delighted that the blend of humor and reflection resonated with you. If the blog encouraged even a moment of self-reflection—or simply brought a smile—then it achieved its purpose.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you so much for your kind words!
      I’m delighted that you enjoyed the examples. My aim was to blend a little humor with a meaningful reflection, because the best excuses often reveal more about human nature than we realize.

      Liked by 2 people

  2. never heard this before, I like it

    Excuses make today easier, but tomorrow harder. Discipline makes today harder but tomorrow easier.”

    Liked by 3 people

    • I’m so glad it resonated with you! It’s one of those simple truths that stays with us. Every excuse offers temporary comfort, while every act of discipline is an investment in a better tomorrow.

      Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. Wishing you continued strength and success on your journey! 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  3. My advice to those who like to make excuses is just be honest…simply saying…I don’t want to…I did not get it finished or… I can’t get the answer. Too many people spend their entire careers (lives) telling their bosses why they can’t do something they are asked to do, rather than adopting the Nike slogan…Just Do It. People used to ask me how I got so much done with such a small staff. I replied, I just give my bosses what they want until they realize they do not want it anymore. Happy Friday. Allan

    Liked by 2 people

    • Well said, Allan! I completely agree that honesty is far more valuable than a string of excuses. Taking responsibility, giving our best effort, and focusing on solutions instead of reasons why something can’t be done are qualities that build trust and earn respect.

      I especially liked your line about giving your bosses what they wanted until they realized they no longer wanted it—it reflects both dedication and a great sense of humor. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Wishing you a wonderful Friday and a fantastic weekend ahead! 😊

      Liked by 2 people

  4. very nice .

    Liked by 3 people

  5. आप की बात ही अलग है… लिखने का अंदाज बड़ा खास है, और आपके जीने के तरीके से तो मैं बहुत impressed हूँ. 👍
    Be blessed 🌹

    Liked by 2 people

    • आपके स्नेहपूर्ण और प्रेरणादायक शब्दों के लिए हृदय से धन्यवाद। 🙏

      आपकी यह सराहना मेरे लिए बहुत मायने रखती है। मैं तो बस जीवन से जो कुछ सीखता हूँ, उसे ईमानदारी से शब्दों में बाँटने का छोटा-सा प्रयास करता हूँ। यदि मेरे विचार या जीवन जीने का तरीका किसी को प्रेरित कर सके, तो इससे बड़ा पुरस्कार मेरे लिए कोई नहीं।

      आपका स्नेह और उत्साहवर्धन यूँ ही बना रहे। हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ! 😊

      Liked by 2 people

  6. जी, आपके जीने का तरीका मुझे प्यार पसंद आया.🥰

    Liked by 1 person

    • बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद! 🙏🥰

      आपके स्नेहपूर्ण शब्द मेरे लिए बहुत मायने रखते हैं। मैं बस यही प्रयास करता हूँ कि जीवन को सरलता, सकारात्मकता और सीखने की भावना के साथ जिया जाए। यदि मेरे विचारों में आपको कुछ अच्छा लगा, तो यह मेरे लिए सबसे बड़ा पुरस्कार है। आपका स्नेह और शुभकामनाएँ यूँ ही बनी रहें। 🌸

      Liked by 1 person

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