No, this is not about Groundhog Day. Well not exactly, though that is such a classic flick. But in that movie Bill Murray literally gets trapped in the same day over and over. Yes, he eventually learns how to make the day work for him and then he earns the gift of being able to move on.
Instead the fascination I have here is this – imagine being given the gift of living yesterday just one more time. A true do-over.
Just the other day I was fortunate to stumble upon a little independent movie called, About Time. In the film the main character Tim, upon the milestone of his 21st birthday, learns a secret from his father. His dad reveals to him that both he and Tim, and all the men in the family who came before, possess the ability to go back in time, at any given time, if they choose to. All Tim has to do is go into a closet, squeeze his fists and travel back to whatever time he desires.
Once he learns of this power, Tim takes full advantage, fixing mistakes he makes, doing what he can to get the girl he wants and of course, regardless of his power making some huge errors along the way. But he finally figures out his greatest accomplishments and true desires can’t be gained by a do-over. Except when he harnesses the power of one special gift, when he chooses to use it from time to time, a gift that truly changes his life.
That gift? Gratitude.
Eventually Tim’s father explains to Tim that perhaps the greatest use of his ability to travel back in time is to occasionally take the time to live yesterday again – with a new, fresh outlook, or maybe I should say “in-look” – on the experiences of that day, and on his life.
This my friends has true power.
Think about the incredible gift of looking back at the same day you just lived and living it over again, but steeped in the abundance of that day, seeing all the good things that happen, realizing you are in the midst of a masterpiece and giving to others as if this was your last day. Once you do that life changes.
While on the day before Tim scowled at the lady handing him his coffee because he was late for work, on his do-over day he went in smiling, not stressed and had a pleasant conversation with her, making her day better. Instead of rushing around, he took the time to immerse himself in the pleasantries of other people and to notice the world around him. He paid special attention to those he loved.
In essence, that is gratitude. Just imagine what you could do with yesterday if you had a do-over. But take this to heart, because in reality every day you do.
That’s the magic factor, and it’s called gratitude.
Your gift is the ability to go back to yesterday in your mind and in your heart and think about the good parts of that day, amidst the challenges and sometimes heartache, the parts of the day that did not serve you well… because you did not serve your day well. We all do it the wrong way from time to time because we are human and we are flawed.
But the more you focus on the good stuff of any day, the more you review it in gratitude and with a grateful heart, the more you approach and conquer the next day with that same mindset. One of giving, one of abundance, one of love, one of gratitude.
If you think I’m kidding, if you think I’m crazy, good… the ones crazy enough to change the world are the ones who usually do. I dare you to try it for a week and see what happens. I dare you to get up in the morning and think about the three things, just three things that happened the day before for which you are grateful. See where that takes you. I dare you.
If you’ve got a better plan, then keep living each day with blinders on and rush to the end of life without ever stopping to appreciate the gift and the moments of a single day.
Instead try it my way, give your day a do-over. Re-live it in your mind and your heart and feel the power of the silver lining, the magic of a few cherished moments that happened the day before and for which you are grateful. It might just change your life.
I know it will, because I’m living it.
And you know why it’s worth it? For if you live each day as if it was your last, eventually you will be right – and there won’t be any more do-overs.
Until next time thanks for taking the time,
Mark Brodinsky
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Love this idea – & try to live it daily, though it can definitely be a challenge at times. THANK YOU for continuing to share your wisdom & positive outlook with all of us. Your words & your light make the world brighter.
Super Sweet Perspective! Keep it up. Thank you for sharing this with us. It’s powerful.