Don’t you wish you could become the best possible version of yourself?
It is possible you know.
GROUNDHOG DAY
I’m a movie buff and one of my favorites is Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray. For the one or two of you who have never had the privilege of viewing this classic film, I’ll help you. [WARNING: Spoiler Alert!]
Murray’s character, Phil is trapped into reliving the same Groundhog Day over and over again. Within this perpetual, recurring day, Phil is given the opportunity to decide how he would live. He can elect to live in his default state, self-absorbed, abusive and manipulative OR he can chose a different path to increase his self-worth, add value to others, help the stranded, deliver life-saving intervention, and even catch those who are falling from great heights.
Years ago my then 12-year-old son and I were watching the movie and when it came to the scenes where Phil started piano lessons, moving from painful player to a jazz virtuoso, my son said thoughtfully, “I wish I had every day to learn how to play piano like that.”
Once he realized the truth that he DOES have every day to learn whatever he wants to learn we both laughed.
Funny, Right? Oh, the mind of a child.
OUCH!!
Except…I find that I have the exact same mindset related to so many areas of my own life. It’s been true as I’ve reflected on my career, weight loss, strength training, home repairs, automotive care, and especially in my spiritual journey and growing into a deeper understanding of the Word of God.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Learning to play an instrument with proficiency only happens through consistent practicing of finger positioning, repeating the scales, and building the muscle memory that takes a person from a novice to a hobbyist to an expert. The same is certainly true of our spiritual journal.
It’s no different with changes in life and pursuing spiritual growth. It never occurs overnight. It happens through months, years and decades of intentionally practicing our skills until they become part of our emotional and spiritual muscle memory.
It happens as we read, study and meditate on our Bibles. Every day that we read and pray is another day that moves us forward in a deepening journey to creating a better life, a stronger character, and a richer experience connecting with God and improving our lives and the lives of those around us.
Often we want the end result without the daily work. We want to be the expert without investing in the exertion.
Like Phil in the movie, we all could have the wonderful gift of days, weeks, months, years and decades to become the best possible version of ourselves. Getting their requires effort. It’s a matter of consistency. It’s a matter of making it a priority.
Read daily. Pray deeply. Practice peace. Seek holiness. One day you will be glad you did.
