Groundhog Day

Last week I mentioned the movie “Groundhog Day”. I rewatched the movie a couple days ago. It seemed like as good of a blog theme as any. I think that’s the theme we decided on.

For those not familiar with the plot, a weatherman played by Bill Murray relives the same day – Groundhog Day – over and over and over. Every morning when he wakes up … poof … it’s February 2 all over again.

Phil the weatherman, who shares a name with the famous Punxsutawney rodent, is aware he is reliving the day but no one around him is. I had forgotten many of the details of the story. What would you do if you were reliving the same events in an endless vicious cycle? If every morning you woke up with the clock reset? With the slate wiped clean? 

Phil starts by doing whatever he wants, whatever unhealthy sometimes bad boy behavior strikes his fancy in the moment. There are no consequences! Everything resets in the morning, and no one else remembers. Eat, drink, and be merry.

Quickly he picks up on memorizing details and using them to his advantage on subsequent repeat days.  People’s stories, their likes, their dislikes, what they do and when. Sometimes to create an instant bond. What? That’s your favorite drink? I had no idea. Sometimes to time the armored truck stop just right so he can snatch a bag of cash unnoticed.

Being stuck in the Twilight Zone in small town Pennsylvania sends Phil over the edge a little. He jumps off a building, in front of a vehicle, and – in true Thelma & Louise style – drives off a cliff into a quarry with the rodent in tow … and explodes in a giant fireball.

He wakes up the same as always the next morning. It is still February 2.

His mercies are new every morning.

Eventually Phil uses his situation to learn everything he can about his new crush. He perfects what he says and what he does a little more each time. In the midst of this “developing” relationship he learns to speak French, memorizes poetry, and becomes an accomplished pianist. All to impress a girl. Along the way, though, he starts to use his powers for good. Not that impressing a girl is bad, but he develops some altruism for his fellow man in general while he’s at it. He shows up immediately to change a tire, catches a kid falling out of a tree, and gives the Heimlich maneuver just in time to save a man’s life.

An accomplishment for a self-centered narcissist.

So kids, what can we learn from all this?

If you’re feeling stuck …

Eventually this too shall pass. Sorry, I probably should have said spoiler alert, but the movie is a couple decades old.

If you’re feeling stuck …

Short of driving into a quarry in a goodness gracious great ball of fire, do something a little crazy.

Such as watch this video about groundhogs.

Just do something different. I just watched a man walk by enjoying what appeared to be a post-workday ice cream cone. Nothing over the top or anything but really enjoying it. Try a different flavor. Get the sprinkles. Change it up and order the grogg at the coffee shop. It might be delicious. And make for part of a great pre-public speaking caffeination routine.

If you’re feeling stuck …

Look around and see who you can help.

Yes, I’d be glad to.

If you’re feeling stuck …

Ask what you can learn. By doing something crazy … by helping others … by using the time you’ve apparently been gifted.

If you’re feeling stuck …

Seek friends to help pull you out.

“Thanks for helping me get unstuck.”

~ Jim in the movie “Brennan”

Don't fret.

I may have texted this pic to a friend today … who replied that Big Brother is watching.

The land of swirling twirling new bathroom flooring. 

Revamped vanity in the land of swirling twirling flooring. 

Sometimes you have to stop to actuate the signal. 

For more thoughts on Groundhog Day or whatever they feel like writing about this week from my writing peeps, see Sue Bowles at bebold7.wordpress.com and Leisa Herren at life4inga.blogspot.com.