It’s Groundhog Day!

February 2nd is the day millions of Americans wake up terrified that Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe” will be playing on the radio. Why? If you’ve seen the 1993 movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray, you understand. I, for one, will be using an annoying digital tone as my wake-up prod, not the radio.

Groundhog Day is the story of an unpleasant weatherman sent to broadcast the famous Pennsylvanian groundhog’s forecast. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If Phil does not see his shadow, then spring will come early. This year Phil’s forecast is crucial considering the magnitude of the storm bearing down on a third of our country.

In the movie, Bill Murray’s character does his duties, then wakes up the next day to find that it’s Groundhog Day again. And again. And again. This flick is not only hilarious, but insightful, as it examines what some people would do if they had the chance to live the same day over and over until they got it right.

I have my reservations about forcing a groundhog to perform such a formal ceremony, and have emailed the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club to learn where there get Phil and what they do with him afterwards. Their website is a blast and has a lot of interesting information that both adults and kids will enjoy, http://www.groundhog.org/.

To all of my friends and readers who wake up tomorrow thinking “oh no, not this again… the morning grind… the office politics… the demanding customers…”, remember that you have something quite special that many people who were here yesterday don’t have– another day. Another day to improve your situation. Another day to make things right. Another day to laugh in the face of adversity and rejoice that you’re still here to live, laugh, and love.

Believe me, I am Spongebob Crankypants incarnate some mornings. Anyone who comes to wake me up should be wearing protective headgear. Some days really give me that Groundhog Day-esque feeling, like I haven’t done enough and I’m forced to do it all over again. Some years feel like that. During those times I feel like Frogger, forced to return to the south side of the road for another round.

But every attempt brings us closer to our goals, and every trouble becomes a stepping stone. Every setback gives us a chance to help others in similar situations. We become a little wiser, and a little more able to cope, with each day of challenges, just like Bill Murray did in the movie.

Eventually we win. It’s all about becoming the people we are supposed to be, and leaving the world a better place than we found it. God only allows what He can use.

Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day made the most of it– couldn’t we?

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Success will be those crappy days when you want to crawl into a hole but you don’t. –Nicole Williams

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©2011 H. Hiatt/wildninja.wordpress.com. All articles/posts on this blog are copyrighted original material that may not be reproduced in part or whole in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from H. Hiatt/wildninja.wordpress.com.