HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY
Channel surfing the other day I stumbled across the beginning of “Groundhog Day”, the classic 1993 film starring Bill Murray. It’s on the list of near-perfect movies, (A Christmas Story, The Matrix, Gladiator, The Hunt for Red October, The Kid, The Godfather, Etc.).
“Groundhog Day” connects with me at every level, creatively, philosophically, theologically. And it’s hilarious. I don’t know if that makes me shallow or deep, I don’t care, I watched the whole thing even though I have seen it many times. I love human genius on display; there is always something redemptive about it, especially in a culture soaked in acrimony.
Bill Murray plays a Pittsburgh weatherman named Phil, (the name of the groundhog is also Phil), who gets stuck in a time loop and must live the same day over and over, that day is Groundhog Day. The reason for this phenomenon is never given, which only makes the movie better, as you watch a selfish cynical man transform into something approaching nobility. The cost? Repeat the same day thousands of times until you get it right.
This is not a movie review. This is just me wondering what it would be like to be Phil; to be trapped in the same day forever. To only be released from that day when you become a blessing to everyone you meet. How many days would it take me?
Have you ever heard someone being interviewed, and as they look back on their life, they use the phrase “no regrets”? How can anyone ever say that with a straight face? I don’t think that I have ever had a single day of “no regrets”. Have you? I mean seriously, how many times in a week do you wish you had a do-over, a repeat, so we could go back and get it right? To relive that day? That decision? That relationship? That remark? To go back through a day over and over until you truly become the unselfish hero that we all think we are? Sign me up.
Alas, our technology has not progressed to the level of time travel, and if it had, I doubt that we would put it to such noble purposes. So, for now, we must continue our linear existence, crucifying our selfish hearts one day at a time. To keep doing our best to be a blessing to each other; to love my neighbor as I love myself.
What if every day was truly a fresh start? A clean slate, a new piece of paper to write on. Because all the regrets, and every bit of shame from the day before has been hung up and left to die. What if there really was something as simple, and as pure, and as true as grace? We all know there must be, what choice do we have?
Hopefully, I will live this Groundhog Day better than the last. I will try to remember to be a blessing to every person that I interact with. I will not do it perfectly, neither will you. But until that day arrives, when faith shall be sight, and we are able to love each other perfectly…
I got you babe.
© JD Green 2019