We live near the groundhog, or woodchuck, called Punxsutawney Phil. Once a year, he lets us all know if there will be six more weeks of winter. This event, known as Groundhog Day, always reminds me of the movie of the same name.
In the movie, Phil Connors, an arrogant and egocentric weatherman who, during a hated assignment covering Groundhog Day, finds himself in a time loop, repeating the same day over and over again.
Eventually he discovers that he has the choice to act differently, and that changes the pattern of each day. Each day is the same, and yet not.
However, just making changes doesn’t release him from the time loop. It’s when his choices include opening his heart to his co-worker, Rita, and to doing good for others, that he escapes – because he is a changed man.
This brings me to the fact that things are not always what they appear to be.
Although we all know that Phil will declare six more weeks of winter, and today with the wind blowing, snow falling, and temperatures in the teens, it does appear that yes, there will be six more weeks of what looks like winter.
However, actually, spring is already here. The signs are subtle, but if one is paying attention, they are obvious.
For me, the first sign comes from the birds.