Every day is filled with things to be grateful for. 

Is the world perfect?  Nope. The rampant racism, divisiveness and hate-speech happening is a clear sign of that. Still – we have to embrace the good things in our lives, and not allow ourselves, our loved ones and our world to be swallowed up in negativity. 

Today is a day I’m really grateful for.  This beautiful Autumn weather, and I’m working on a new play. 2 plays, in fact! Not only did we have a great first weekend of previews at Williamston Theatre, where I’m directing Pulp, but tonight I start rehearsals for Rights Of Passage at the Jewish Ensemble Theatre.  2 new plays, back to back (overlapping!), makes for a happy, tired director, grateful to be alive and working in the American Theatre. And when you add in the wonderful caliber of the casts and production staffs I get to work with? Truly, I’m a lucky man. 

Plus, today the care package that my wife and I mailed to our exchange-student daughter made it to Helsinki and she got some treats from home. The only damper on the day is that Jeanne is fighting a miserable cold, but she’s feeling a little bit better today than yesterday, so even that is in a positive trajectory! 

So, I sit here drinking an iced coffee (cream only, no sugar, since my wife and daughter and I made a “no sugar for a week” pact), and I make notes in a script, and the sun shines in.  I know Max and Tommaso are about to finish their day of school, and Max will go straight to rehearsal for 42nd Street, and Tommaso will go to his tennis match. Maggie prepares for bed 1/2 a planet away, surrounded by some love from home, and Jeanne rests in a warm blanket with a cup of tea. 

I wish so much that the negativity in the world could be fixed by simply reminding people to embrace the Joy around them, to spread that, and help others do the same. Such a simple idea…. if only it would work.  Still – today, I will be grateful for the things in my life that make today beautiful. And I will share that gratefulness, and hope that it inspires others to do the same. 

Happy Monday everyone – take a moment to find your happiness today.