Groundhog Day: An Invitation To Be Creative, Innovative, And Think Outside The Box

Once upon a time, back in 1993, Groundhog Day, the movie, premiered. A story about a weatherman who finds himself mystifyingly living the same day over and over again.

At first, I didn't mind it so much. Staying home, spending my workdays with my ruggedly handsome husband sitting across the kitchen table from me. We could wake up early, without the commute, and make each other coffee and breakfast and take our Giant Schnauzer for a walk during our 10-minute morning break. Life was grand, or so we thought, but the novelty of our "Groundhog Day" wore off and Wednesday became a repeat of Tuesday which became a repeat of Monday and "Oh ya, what day is it?"

Although it was nice to be home together and quickly fall into a nice routine, the humdrum of the daily rhythm soon became stale and we found new ways to look on the bright side of our happy home. You may have reached that point as well, the feeling of the claustrophobic endless cycle. As I reflect on the circumstances of the COVID season of shelter-in-place, I begin to consider what it must be like for others. Is it easier or harder for the extroverts or introverts? What about the people who live alone or have small children that need schooling, playtime, and fresh air. What about the youth and college students whose lives revolve around "hanging out with friends" on a daily basis?

Have our worlds become a "Groundhog Day" type of endless cycle?

How are we keeping our life balanced spiritually, socially, financially. As well as maintaining our physical and emotional well-being?

Unfortunately, we don't have to imagine what it would be like to repeat the same day over and over again. COVID has taken care of that for the world. We know how we are spending our time. But, how can we wake up each morning enthusiastic, energized, and find adventure in our current circumstances?

It's our time as human beings to be creative, innovative, and to use our strengths to think outside the box.

Today, I challenge you to change your perspective and make this week a novel, fun, and exciting week. Put something new on your schedule that you can look forward to this week. What will it be?

Restructure your schedule and add some fun activities to look forward to.
Try new exercises or new places to walk, run, or cycle.
Order a meal from a new restaurant or if possible (and safe) eat out tonight.
Have a picnic in your backyard or on the beach.
Reset and commit to a regular date night with your spouse.
Register for free online courses or workshops.
Read a book or dust off that book you never finished.
Learn a new language (I use Duolingo every day).
Listen to TED Talks or podcasts.
Fill your palette with a new cuisine.
Cook a new recipe or bake something you've never baked before.
Join a Bible study or life group, if you are not already in one.
You can also invite family and friends to do a YouVersion Bible study with you.
Volunteer your time. There are both physical and virtual opportunities you can explore.
Help a neighbor or a friend. Ask them what they need. Cook them a meal and don't forget the dessert!
Create a garden, paint your masterpiece, play an instrument, build something with Legos.
Start a new hobby or project or finish one you started.
Create a vision board with a theme, such as your dreams and things you'll do one day soon!
Write a letter to yourself about your feelings, dreams, and hopes, to open one year from now. This can be a keepsake to share with your grand-kids one day, and just as importantly you can look back and see how you came through this season stronger than before.
Journal your emotions, your thoughts, what you're grateful for, your dreams and hopes. Journaling can provide many benefits, including therapeutic benefits, self-awareness, seeing patterns for change and growth. It can bring you focus and clarity, and more.
Take time to reflect on what matters most to you and where you see yourself a year or five years from now personally and professionally.
Write notes of encouragement to family and friends! People love receiving cards in the mail that lets them know you thought of them.
If possible, take a nature walk or camp in your backyard.
Sit on the beach and watch the sunset or step outside your door and bask in the beauty of the day.
Try a new ice cream flavor or coffee drink.
And, one of my personal favorites, dance like no one is watching!!!

So, in this time of waiving at neighbors from across the street and living in the never ending "Groundhog" loop, the weatherman "evolves and learns the key to life isn't what happens but how you react to it." https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048/plotsummary

In this season of unusual circumstances, I invite you to be creative, innovative, and think outside the box!

How are you evolving, learning, and reacting to the situations that surround your life?
How are you challenging yourself?
How are you galvanizing curiosity?
What is something you've been wanting to learn?
What has this time allowed you to reflect upon?
How has it helped you to have a new perspective on what matters most?
How are you growing personally, professionally, and spiritually?
How are you actively seeking enthusiasm and staying energized?
What are the positive changes you are experiencing in this season?