Happy Groundhog Day! Apparently our local prognosticator Okanagan Okie did NOT see
his shadow and we can expect an early spring! I have no reason to doubt this, our ‘trusted
meteorologists’ can’t predict the weather worth a shit, so I have nothing to lose by putting my
trust into a large rodent. 😀
One of my favorite movies is the 1993 classic ‘Groundhog Day’ starring Bill Murray as the
arrogant weatherman Phil Connors; forced to live the same day over and over again. I’m not
sure who can relate, but have any of you noticed how Phil’s journey in this movie parallels
the lives of many people in addiction?
No matter how much we tried to change the circumstances, the addiction just didn’t seem to
go away. The movie shares similarities of a person going from addiction to sobriety. It even
utilizes the Kubler-Ross stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and
Acceptance.
Check out the similarities between the movie and my addiction:
Denial
Phil: Can’t believe the situation is real. Tries to discover the truth by breaking a pencil before
bed only to find it unbroken the next morning
Me: I don’t have a drinking problem. Promising to quit repeatedly only to fail miserably.
Anger
Phil: Gets increasingly volatile, yelling at people who confront him and punches Ned
Ryerson (my favorite part) 😀
Me: Start to avoid people who confront my drinking and lash out placing the blame on others
Bargaining
Phil: Engages in risky behaviour with friends who actually believe him, knowing there will be
no consequences for his behaviour. Challenges God out of spite.
Me: Pleading with my girlfriend to give me one more chance. This time will be different!
Depression
Phil:Through repeated efforts of not getting what he really wants (girl of his dreams or an
end to the insanity) starts attempting various ways of killing himself to no avail.
Me: Pretty much the exact same as above.
Acceptance
Phil: Realizing the futility of his situation, he changes his perspective and starts making it the
best day possible by giving back and helping others.
Me: Realizing the futility of my situation, I change my perspective and start making the best
life possible by giving back and helping others.
Phil finally emerges successfully out of the Groundhog Day loop and so have I and countless
others emerged from the grips of their addiction. It isn’t impossible, and you have it within
yourself to change your perspective and break the cycle!
Enjoy the (hopefully) early spring everyone! If you find yourself stuck in your own Groundhog
Day, let me help you find a way out! Thanks for reading.
Steve Braun
Call or Text: 778.932.1978
Email: steve@stevebraun.org
Connect on Social: Facebook LinkedIn SteveBraun.Org
About the Author: Steve currently resides in the sunny Okanagan in British Columbia Canada where he spends his free time camping at remote lakes chasing monster rainbow trout with a flyrod.
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