February 2, 2013
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5 Things We Can Learn From Groundhog Day
I read this story on thebigthink.com while incidentally watching Groundhog Day yet again.Every year on Groundhog Day, along with waiting for the verdict on the length of winter from the world’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, TV stations across the country dust off the 1993 movie Groundhog Day.
Some believe that the cult-classic starring Bill Murray is a film that illustrates the concepts of Buddhism and achieving enlightenment. In the film, weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) relives the same day over and over again until he gets it right through hard work, self awareness, and sacrifice.
The movie’s writer, Danny Rubin, understands the connection to Buddhist beliefs, but says he did not design the story around any one religion. “Everybody seems to bring their own way of thinking and their own discipline to bear on the ideas within it,” Rubin says.
Regardless of your religious persuasion, here are a few universal truths for living we can all take from Groundhog Day:
1. Be kind to others. On Phil Connors’ “perfect day” he saves a child’s life, helps two women change a tire, gives a newlywed couple wrestling tickets, and completes many other good deeds. He even buys insurance from annoying salesman, Ned. Bing!
2. Try different things. If your life becomes a redundant cycle of work and sleep, there’s still time to try new things. Take up ice sculpting or learn to play piano, you never know when it will come in handy.
3. You can’t fight the weather or who you are. Ironically, Phil the weatherman tries to deny the coming blizzard because it doesn’t fit in with his life. Only when he accepts his situation does he begin to grow as a person. Work with what you have; people will love you for that.
4. To find real love work on you. Phil learns everything about his love interest Rita, down to her favorite ice cream. But what she really falls in love with is his passion for life.
5. Life is what you make it. As Rubin says, at first for Phil Connors it’s “the worst day of his life. And, by the end of the movie, we see that it’s the exact same day but somehow this is probably the best day of his life.”
Comments (2)
I had never thought of this as a particularly Buddhist film, although upon reflection I can see how that could be said. Your five lessons that can be drawn from the film are spot-on, though. Makes me want to watch it again.
I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR HOURS AND I HAVEN’T FOUND SUCH AWESOME WORK.
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