The movie, the one with Bill Murray bearing the title, epitomizes in far too many ways the lives that we live. We get up in the morning, turn on the news and to our surprise we will see some variation of this headline, “The Left Hates the Right, the Right Fights Back”. The talking heads demand they be treated as though they are witty, relevant and, pardon me while I choke this one back, loved. In reality, they are merely perpetuating yet another Groundhogs Day.
What would it take to make today different, really different, than yesterday and the day before and the day before…Wouldn’t it be refreshing to encounter new villains to smear, stumble upon a new way to irritate your friends and co-workers, or incite a different kind of rebellion? At least then it would feel like progress has been made.
In so many ways, Phil, the character that Murray plays is just like each of us. When we think what we want is unattainable, given enough time, we learn, we conspire, we manipulate and we may even adapt. Finally, when the prize is within our grasp, we discover that it changed. But did it, or did we change? What we thought we wanted is now different; it seems so small. Through the process, as we matured, as we grew, the original thing that was all-consuming became insignificant.
We all live some variation of Groundhog’s Day, some of it is completely unavoidable, but on the other hand, so much is not. On Groundhog’s Day of all mornings, while reading the news, I wandered over to a different news source and found a refreshing perspective; not at all what I was expecting. Someone with an opposing view, articulating in a thoughtful and rational way, that it would be wise to at least consider some of the oppositions perspective. An open mind, an out-stretched hand and a civil tone. All signs of progress toward a common goal.
But can there be a common goal? If there is civility, commonality and a sense of community, so many would find themselves unemployed, circulating what can only be described as very thin resume. Image sitting across the table in that interview where the best you can do is synthesize the accomplishments of your career into a single bullet point: I spewed hatred and fanned the flames of discontent for the sole purpose of making myself appear relevant to the uninformed. The ensuing, You’re a Loser e-mail would reach your inbox before your seat went cold.
Notoriety does not equate to relevance, just as likes and subscribers do not correlate with an engaged audience. We can say the same for our reach, or our effectiveness, in prompting a renewed perspective in the way others think about themselves and their circumstances. Consider these questions:
- Are we delivering words of hope or of despair?
- Are we encouraging those around you to reach higher or to crawl back in bed and pull the covers over their head?
- Are we fanning the flames of discontentment or are we looking for ways to draw out the best in those around us?
Do you remember Ned in the movie? Every day he tries to sell Phil insurance, every day Phil declines. In the end, only when Phil embraces his own humanity, does he see worth in Ned and his contribution to society.
Did Ned change, or did Phil?
Ivy now thinks a road trip is in order, she wants to meet that famous groundhog. I told her that, unlike Santa, the Easter Bunny and Obama’s economic recovery, Punxsutawney Phil is real.
Thanks for reading, liking and sharing.
Al and his faithful, now delusional sidekick, Ivy the wonder pup.