Tip#687: Cultivate Community, Part 7 – Rotary Club - Groundhog Day

I recently gave a motivational talk at the Rotary Club of Etobicoke where I discussed the power of movies, social media and community. It was well received and I really enjoyed the audience because most of them were movie lovers!

One of the films I discussed was Groundhog Day and how it can inspire one to break through repeating negative patterns. I also shared that I believed Groundhog Day was the greatest personal growth movie disguised as a romantic comedy!

The Rotary Club is an international organization which has already been featured in the cinema through Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can film. In an opening scene Frank Abagnale Sr. (Christopher Walken) was a member of the Rotary Club of New Rochelle, NY (a real Rotary Club). He is shown being named as “Rotarian of the Year”.

After my presentation I had a chat with one of the members, Ron Miller, who excitedly shared that his father ran several movie theatres in Detroit, Michigan and in St. Catherines, Ontario. His enthusiasm was catching and he later shared archival photos and details of the theatres via email. Ron and I shared a common interest for cinema and it quickly bonded us. This was a perfect example of how meaningful connections are made that can lead to a warm sense of community!

Groundhog Day (1993)

The romantic comedy, Groundhog Day, is about self-centred TV weatherman, Phil Connors (Bill Murray) who finds himself trapped in a time loop reliving the same day over and over again. After having many positive and negative experiences with this phenomenon Connors finally surrenders and sees his situation as a gift for personal growth. He learns how to ice sculpt, play the piano and be more of service to others.

Connors later shares his new piano skills at a community dance providing music for everyone to enjoy. He has learned to break free of his time loop trap by looking into himself and sharing his skills and talent. This led him to becoming an important and loved part of the community. These life lessons are what make this film much more than a comedy. It can teach people how to break out of their own reoccurring traps in their lives by identifying it as an opportunity for personal growth and being more involved with community.

What movies inspire you about community? What films inspire you with movie heroes who help in community? Please let me know!

Related Tips:
Tip#172: Cultivate Community, Part 1 – Witness
Tip#651: Cultivate Community, Part 2 - Defiance
Tip#656: Cultivate Community, Part 3 – Swapsity - Phenomenon 
Tip#658: Cultivate Community, Part 4 – Into the White
Tip#668: Cultivate Community, Part 5 – Be Kind Rewind 
Tip#686: Cultivate Community, Part 6 – Ip Man
Tip#687: Cultivate Community, Part 7 – Rotary Club - Groundhog Day
Tip#707: Cultivate Community, Part 8 – Movie Nights - Christmas in Connecticut
Tip#781: Cultivate Community, Part 9 - The Hundred-Foot Journey
Tip#853: Cultivate Community, Part 10 - Endurance - McFarland, USA

Remember How Movies Can Help You: 
A) Entertain & Escape
B) Re-energize & Release
C) Insights, Epiphanies & AHA moments

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Emmanuel Lopez-Motivatorman
Motivational Superhero
Helping Activate Your Indestructible Optimism!
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© Emmanuel Lopez 2013