Groundhog Day marks the end of the three-day fast commemorating Gandhi’s life and lessons. A search of the Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi finds no mention of the word ‘groundhog’ — I think it’s safe to assume he’d never heard of the practice of “a larger rodent predicting the weather.” But I can think of a few reasons why he’d appreciate the holiday.
Groundhog Day is a celebration of optimism. There’s no question of if spring will start, there’s only a question of when winter will end.
It’s not about over-consuming. Groundhog Day doesn’t require a belt-loosening feast, and it also isn’t rooted in drinking alcohol. (St. Patrick’s Day, we’re looking at you.) Participants may opt to do so on their own, but public consumption isn’t part of it.
The 1993 Bill Murray movie. As he repeats the same day, Phil (Murray) experiments with his life. He discovers that while extravagant indulgences are available to him, it’s not a life that satisfies him. What brings him satisfaction is a simple life of improving himself and serving others. Gandhi followed a similar path.
With the end of my fast and January’s challenge, I’ll be taking a week off from writing these posts. The next challenge runs from February 15-March 15.
If you had the oppertunity to live one day over and over and over again, would you take it?