The movie Groundhog Day from the 90’s was an instant classic. The movie is about a cranky TV broadcaster named Phil (Bill Murray) and his crew. They are sent to tiny Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to capture the “thrills” of its annual Groundhog Day celebration. A snowstorm strands them there overnight, and when he wakes the next morning, Phil soon realizes something strange is going on. It’s Groundhog Day again. As Phil repeatedly relives the tedium of the same day over and over, he gradually learns that he cannot change the situation. He can only change himself. Phil must learn to be nice, be considerate and possibly a real human being.
Groundhog Day
February 2, in most parts of the U.S., the day on which, according to legend, the groundhog first emerges from hibernation. If it is a sunny day and the groundhog sees its shadow, six more weeks of wintry weather are predicted.
This scenario sound familiar? I have seen this movie many times and just love it, but I’ve really glossed over its true meaning. That was until Covid19 hit our world. The “shelter in place” law is our Groundhog Day reality and the movie just became a documentary. While this may be our new normal, we don’t have to wallow in it. We can choose to come out of this an improved person rather than the same person destined to do the same things, over and over again. Many of us just go about our days trying to achieve goals and we never really stop to look at the world or people around us. The point of the movie is to get us to think differently about time and what we do with it.
Your homework…
- Watch Groundhog Day (Netflix)
- Discuss with family how to make the best of a rough situation
- Talk about how to be thankful and show gratitude in an unfavorable situation
- How perseverance is shown and how can you apply it now
- How we can find purpose in the most mundane routines
- Find the theme of redemption
- Talk about how failing isn’t always negative
The more relaxed you are, the better you are at everything: the better you are with your loved ones, the better you are with your enemies, the better you are at your job, the better you are with yourself.
Bill Murray
What I learned from the movie
- Without consequences, nothing matters
- Time on your hands, make the most of it
- Never give up
- Live like tomorrow won’t come
- Tell people they matter
- Some rules really don’t matter
Making of a Minimalist 