"I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning"

J.B. Priestley’s optimistic contemplation of each dawning day invites us to consider the resilience and hope embedded in the human spirit. The excitement he expresses at the arrival of a new day reflects a belief in perpetual renewal. Every morning, life offers a clean slate, a chance to learn from yesterday’s mistakes without being chained to them. This perspective gently encourages one to move forward rather than dwell on the setbacks or regrets of the past. The notion of “a fresh try, one more start” brings forward the concept of persistence. No matter how often we falter, there is value in attempting again, and discovering courage in the act of beginning anew.

What enriches his words is the subtle mention of “perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.” Life, despite its routines and challenges, carries the alluring potential of surprise and wonder. The phrase evokes a sense of curiosity and trust in possibility, urging one to look beyond the familiar for the unexpected joys that each day may quietly harbor. This magic is not necessarily extraordinary events, but may take shape as small mercies, chance encounters, or simple joys that light up existence.

Priestley’s sentiment is suffused with gratitude and anticipation rather than cynicism or dread. The passage quietly suggests that hope is a choice, a decision to greet the day not with resignation, but with expectation. By opening oneself to the potential embedded in every sunrise, one cultivates resilience and optimism. Each day’s prospect, then, is not merely a repetition but an opportunity: to remake oneself, to notice what is beautiful or magical, and to approach life with enthusiasm. This worldview fosters both humility, acknowledging imperfection, and imagination, for it sees not just what is, but what might unexpectedly and delightfully be.