What Groundhog Day can teach you about living well
Some lessons from a Bill Murray classic
The 1993 movie Groundhog Day turned a small Pennsylvania town into a major attraction. Throngs of fans now visit Punxsutawney each year on February 2nd to see if "Punxsutawney Phil" will see his shadow.
If he does, that signals another six weeks of winter.
Well, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning, so bundle up.
Never mind that it is the vernal equinox in March which marks the end of (astronomical) winter in the Northern Hemisphere. For that matter, isn't it curious that most of baseball's "Spring Training" takes place in winter? Go figure...
While the season and the weather were crucial parts of the setting, the popular appeal of Groundhog Day remains its premise—one that harkens back to and elicits shades of The Twilight Zone.
What would happen if there was no tomorrow and you had to keep reliving "today" over and over?
Have you ever asked yourself such a question, especially when one workday feels like the next?
As the viewer tracks the experience of the film's main character, Phil Connors, played by the great Bill Murray, it takes this question to the extreme.
Groundhog Day is a worthwhile character study, even though the film is a rollicking—if not, at times, dark—comedic romp.
Take a look at some of the things Phil Connors learned and how they may be able to transform your life.
Learning From Experience
Connors is a self-centered, egotistical Pittsburgh weatherman—a total jerk, really—who evolves to become more of the loving sort. But it’s a difficult path.
See, when there is no future, there are also no consequences.
If one despairs over a short—or possibly nonexistent—future, it can easily harden the heart. The problem can be further exacerbated when the person does not believe in the truth of a life everlasting.
Life then becomes an cycle of anxiety and worry.
Imagine a life with seemingly endless future, but the same day on repeat. It would screw with your mind. So, how do you make the best of it?
In Phil's case, his "today" was not everlasting, but he didn't know that. At some point, his todays did indeed trend toward eternity.
Harold Ramis, the late director of the film, believed Phil was trapped within the same day for "thirty to forty years."
Screenwriter Danny Rubin said, "It wasn’t important to me exactly how long it was, only that it exceeded a single lifetime."
Either way, unlike Phil Connors, most of us have significantly less time on this mortal plane to work things out.
Consider: Hardships are not mere roadblocks. They exist to help you to grow.
Try these tips:
Practice forgiveness. You can't move on if you hold on to resentments and disappointments. Consider giving others second chances. Do the same for yourself. Reframe situations, so you can use them to your advantage.
Persevere through obstacles. If you quit part way through your journey, you will miss out on all sorts of opportunities. Dealing with setbacks can turn situations around, or it can show you what to change next time.
Slow down. To benefit from difficult experiences, first take time to evaluate what’s happening. Be honest with yourself about where you need to make changes.
Be kind
The turning point in the film comes when Murray's Phil realizes that he is in love with his TV producer, the beautiful Rita Hanson, played by Andie MacDowell.
Rita has a remarkably generous and unassuming nature. Because of this, Phil eventually stops trying to trick Rita into dating him. Instead, he starts to follow her example.
These simple strategies can turn your life around:
Think positive. You’ll be more compassionate and helpful if you cultivate a warm heart. Focus on the things you’re grateful for. Appreciate the kindness of others. When you acknowledge the gifts you’ve received, it becomes time to pay them back.
Listen closely. Show others that you're interested in them. They’ll appreciate the attention, and you’ll gain more insights into how you can help them.
Dependability. Be generous with your time and talents. Volunteer in your community. Include others in conversations and projects at work. Leave a big tip for a delivery driver. Take a minute to give directions to a lost tourist.
Change your habits
It's true: Rodents rarely succeed as meteorologists. Even in the Keystone State, Punxsutawney Phil can’t really predict how long winter will last. Plus, he bites.
Yet, crowds of people still come to see this Phil each February. They believe him, too. Old patterns are hard to break.
Still, at least try to contemplate being open to doing things in a different way.
Consider these ideas:
Find substitutes. It’s easier to focus on doing something new rather than stopping something familiar. For example, if you’re trying to cut down on sugary soft drinks, set a goal to drink eight glasses of water each day instead.
Prepare for triggers. There are usually circumstances that can aggravate your habits, so devise some strategies that will keep you on track. If you’re trying to quit smoking, go for a walk after dinner, instead of lighting up.
Recover from relapses. Most people slip up somewhere along the way. Pick yourself up and try again.
Start small. Create realistic expectations. You might struggle to maintain an early bedtime for the rest of your life, but you can do it for a week. Generate some momentum and build on your progress.
Groundhog Day may come once a year, but you can make your life a bit happier and more fulfilling each day. Take responsibility for your actions and treat others with kindness and compassion.
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Very good.