Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day:
Essential Learning about Life

Watch the Groundhog Day celebration in Punxsutawney, PA, a couple of days ago.

That celebration goes back to 1887 in Punxsutawney when a group of predominantly overweight white men with beards and black tophats march to Gobblers Knob. In case you are wondering why they march to a place annually that has to do with turkeys and not groundhogs, there is a reason. The mines in that area were failing, and the miners tried to raise turkeys to supplement their income. That is the backstory.

This year, just after dawn, while the sky was filled with clouds, the groundhog named Phil was dragged out of his home. If Phil saw his shadow on a totally overcast morning, the residents would have another six weeks of winter. That seems as inane as Trump wanting to seize Greenland, Canada, the Panama Canal, and the Gaza Strip.

I’d suggest rewatching the movie Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray. His name was Phil Connors, and he was a Pittsburgh TV weatherman. The TV station forced him to travel to Punxsutawney and cover the Groundhog Day celebration. Phil doesn’t like the assignment and has a negative attitude toward the locals.

Phil, the groundhog’s home

There is a cinematic deus ex machina event in which Phil sees the light. Here are several scenes where Phil becomes a caring human being.

Phil sees an old down-and-out guy on a city street and assists him.

The next thing that happens to Phil is that he saves a boy falling from a tree.

While walking around Punxsutawney, Phil notices three older women riding in a car with a flat tire.

Phil sums up his concern for others.

I have a suggestion for all my readers. Emulate Phil Connors. During our long winter, having to face Trump’s babbling about things that are ethically wrong and nonsense, I propose following Phil.

Here are several of my Phil-esque examples from last week.

I was at the Southlake YMCA just after finishing 30 minutes in the sauna. I routinely go to the whirlpool sauna. There’s no medical benefit since the water is around 100 degrees, but it is a good time to relax for a few minutes. I got out and just sat there watching swimmers in the adjacent pool. I watched a father with his small child who was learning to walk. The father watched his child toddling in several inches of water. However, while he allowed his child to explore the water and pool, he did so cautiously. He didn’t want his child to slip and fall, which resulted in hitting his head on the side of the pool. I was impressed by a loving father giving his son the freedom to investigate the side of the pool. Still, he carefully watched his child to protect him from falling. I sat there and just watched for 10 minutes. I got up to leave but went over to the protective father. I said he impressed me by allowing his toddler to explore but was equally protective.
Another thing that happened several days ago. I had a Geek Squad online assistant reconnecting my WhatsApp remotely. His name was Andres, and he lives in Columbia. After resolving the matter, I was happy. Andres asked me if I needed any other tech support from him. I said no, but I wanted him to send me an email in which I could sing his praises.
Still another example. A college student from the West Coast had emailed me about reading an article I wrote years ago about jade burial suits. She was studying Asian Buddhism. In response, I added this link about going to Jokhang Temple in Lhasa on behalf of a Tibetan friend, Dr. Norbu, the brother of the Dalai Lama. Additionally, I mentioned the importance of travel. I quoted George Santayana, who wrote, “A child educated only at school is an uneducated child.” I told this student can learn about Jokhang Temple by reading or watching videos, but going there is learning on steroids. Then, I added that she should go to my website and click Travels. Finally, I wrote about Ibn Battuta traveling over 30,000 miles in the 14th century. He wrote of his treks, “Traveling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
I made a video for Dr. Wozniak thanking her for helping Ginger Pooh on her healthy journey down the yellow brick road.

My suggestion is to help others by thanking or praising what they have done for others or you. Phil Connors reached out to the people in Punxsutawney, PA, and I am reaching out. This is another example of the Kierkegaardian either/or situation. Either follow that mindset, or we merely view people like Trump. He is a convicted felon who is out to get those who convicted him or those who would have had the Supreme Court ruled against charging him.