Anyone remember the 1990s movie Groundhog Day?
Bill Murray wakes up to experience the same day over and over again.
Like Bill, many of us live in our own version of a sitcom rerun and never seem to escape the same episode.
It’s often the case that we know we need to change something but have no idea what we need to do or where to start.
We may notice getting stuck in the same pattern of conflict; we might be aware of the continual self-deprecating monologue in our head; perhaps we’re conscious of habitual behaviours we don’t like.
If the formula for change was easy we wouldn’t be stuck.
Change requires us to move away from the familiar comfort zone. We’re used to unpleasant or dysfunctional routines because we know them so well.
Claude Bernard said “Man can learn nothing unless he proceeds from the known to the unknown”.
Change requires us to push the limits of our comfort zone.
A starting point for getting out of Groundhog Day is understanding your family history.
Confronting your background can be painful but it can bring healing and understanding to why you behave in particular ways.
Ask questions such as What did I as a child decide about myself and my world in response to my experiences?
Questions such as this can uncover long held beliefs and insecurities that feed our core issues. Bringing them into the light allows us to consider other ways of being.
Bill Murray eventually works out that the key to escaping Groundhog Day lies in improving his attitude towards others and choosing an intentional life consistent with his values (just in case you were wondering!).
By Linda Gray
