How would you feel if you only had one day to live? Not one day left, but just one day, the same day.
Groundhog Day, a film considered a classic in the realm of comedies, seeks to address that very question.
For my younger audience, Groundhog Day stars Bill Murray as an unhappy and egotistical news reporter from Pittsburgh. However, every year on Groundhog day, Murray must drive to a tiny town in the middle of Pennsylvania to cover what is to him, an idiotic and meaningless story.
However, when Bill Murray tries to leave down, a storm prevents him from leaving and forces him to stay an extra night in the town. And for reasons unknown, he wakes up to relive the day he just lived and, as we will find out, live that day many more times.
Throughout the film, Murray goes through different feelings and stages from his imprisonment to time.
Plot
At first, he’s upset. He’s stuck in a place with people he cannot stand.
However, he eventually realizes that there are no consequences to his actions. So Murray begins to drive drunk, rob a bank, and use the time he has to seduce innocent women to sleep with him.
Like maybe most people who live this way usually, Murray realizes the meaninglessness of it all and then goes about trying to kill himself. He drives off bridges, jumps off buildings, only to wake up again and again in the same bed of that same morning.
Getting tired of trying to end his life, Murray decides to do things differently. He attempts to gain the favor and love of his young, attractive, and down-to-earth producer Andie MacDowell.
Although he comes very far in winning her over from her original contempt of him, Murray cannot seem to win her into bed. And what he realizes in his multiple attempts is that, sometimes, things cannot be forced. His humanity and emotions get in the way; having relived the same day so many times, he cannot be genuine and develop a genuine connection.
The Turn-Around
Eventually, Murray gives up on the endeavor to bed his producer and begins seeing and using his time as a gift.
As we are fast-forwarded into his new life, we see Murray spends his days catching a boy falling from a tree and helping three female seniors replace their flat tire.
He gets to know the local homeless man and spends his money on giving him food and a warm place to sleep at night. He eventually finds out that the man dies each night and so then takes it upon himself to find a way to save him.
Murray begins to read French poetry (Andie MacDowell’s favorite) and learn the piano. Enough time passes that he eventually goes from being a complete beginner to a seasoned jazz player.
And on one day, Murray (genuinely) attempts to win the affection once again of his producer. However, he chooses to save the boy from the tree, rescue the seniors from their car troubles, and provide medical care to a man choking on his steak. He shows her the genuine relationships he’s developed with every person in the town and impresses her at the town’s annual Groundhog Day party, where he lights it up on the piano with the jazz band.
As Andie MacDowell sees a kinder, more genuine side of Bill Murray, and because he no longer is trying to control the day or check her off his “to-do list,” they end the night innocently lying side by side to sleep.
The next day, he wakes up at 6 am, with her by his side, and it’s “tomorrow.”
Enneagram Analysis
What I believe we have is the story of an Enneagram 3 learning to take his attention and preoccupation with himself and instead focus on the joys of walking down its Road to a Richer (9) and Relaxed (6) Life.
The Road to a Richer Life – The Enneagram 9
For every Enneagram 3, when they can learn to let go of their ambitions and simply let life happen, to go with the flow as Nines naturally do, they experience more of life, a richer life.
Throughout the entire story, Bill Murray has tried to control things even though some supernatural force was obviously at work. He first tried to use it, and then he tried to end it.
But how he eventually found a richer life was by simply embracing it. He read French poetry, got to know the people of the town, and learned the piano.
The Road to a Relaxed Life – The Enneagram 6
For every Enneagram 3, when they can learn to build connections with, develop compassion for, and create community with others like the Enneagram 6 naturally does, life is fuller. Life is better.
And throughout the entire story, Bill Murray never tried to know anybody. He never cared for anyone.
But later on, we see Bill mingling and socializing with everyone in the town— in the cafe, on the street, and at the town party. What Bill discovers is the joy of connection and community.
Enneagram Exhortation for Threes
For everyone with a high Three in them, may this story be a reminder that “progress” doesn’t always lead to happiness. And that control isn’t everything. Although we do not have the chance to live the same day over and over again, that doesn’t mean we can’t learn to slow down, stop, and see what’s in front of us.
The people to know.
The people in need.
The projects to start.
The passions to pursue.
So for anyone that can relate, here are a few questions for reflection:
- Who in your neighborhood, company, social circle, or community can you get to know? Who will you give 10 more minutes of your day to ask how they’re doing and where they’re from?
- What is a project or passion that you have ignored in sacrifice for your “progress?” For Bill Murray, he learned about French poetry and learned to play the piano. What might be French poetry or the piano for you?
Enneagram Exhortation for Sixes and Nines
Lastly, for anyone who isn’t a Three or has a strong Three in them, and especially to Sixes and Nines, although it doesn’t feel like it, you know how to live.
Although our high-Three world and vocal Threes would tell you you aren’t ambitious enough or are working hard enough, know that you know a secret to true life they have yet to discover. And know that you can help your fellow Threes and our high-Three world, find a different, better way of life.
