Gratitude is not always easy.

I had a brief discussion with Marcee about her position on marijuana. I am grateful that we were able to disagree without having a fight. I am too strident too often. Righteousness should be reserved for the right fights.

We have friends and colleagues who support Theater RED wholeheartedly, who tell us frequently not to give up or give in, because what we do is important, even if it’s only to them. That’s enough, I think, and I am grateful for them and their words.

I am taking on another fight direction gig in Julius Caesar at Arrowhead, and directing Bridge to Terabithia at Racine Theatre Guild in February. With these creative projects, and the prospect of learning even more about how to create art in this difficult medium, I also get to ping away at the looming debts my lifestyle demands. I’m grateful I can write this on an afternoon at Colectivo, rather than trying to squeeze it in between the idiocy a day job often forces on people.

Thanks. Thanks and thanks again. It’s not the season that puts me in this mood, though that never hurts. I have merely come to realize how selfish I have become. I want to reach out more. Allow my empathy to serve its intended purpose. Serve the higher good in my minuscule way. Make a dent. The place to begin is inside, give over to service. One step closer. And ignore the dark part of my brain screaming, “Cliche, trite, simple, complacent.”