Groundhog's Day meets Choice Theory or W.W.B.M.D?

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The following is an excerpt from a weekly Choice Theory bulletin prepared for our elementary staff. I hope it allows a few chuckles.

What would Bill Murray do differently over and over again? (W.W.B.M.D?) As it is nearing Groundhog's Day, I look forward to watching one of my "seasonal" videos, Groundhog's Day, with Bill Murray. This story line is straight-up Choice Theory. The main character's scales are out of whack--what is wanted is perceived to be not forthcoming from the Real World. As a result, the main character has become a cynical, self-centered, and unhappy individual. The problem of having to relive the same day, Groundhog's Day, over and over again, arises in the story. Initially, it is a novel experience, but soon becomes a bane to his existence, as the developments in relationships and other accomplishments disappear with the buzzing alarm clock, indicating the beginning of his "next" Groundhog's Day. After drastic measures fail to relieve him of his pain, he decides to make the best of what's been dealt to him.

In short, he is able to operate on specific regrets and his other assorted "shoulda's." He "shoulda" been more kind; he was able to return to the specific situation, in which he wasn't, to rectify his unkindness. He shoulda been more interested in others and worked to develop relationships; he was able to return to these specific situations to build positive relationships with his coworkers. He "shoulda" learned to play the piano; he returned, over and over again, to piano lessons. If only we could act upon the specific situations causing our regret. But we can't. We can only think, "Man, I 'shoulda' done it differently. I know what I'll do differently the next time I'm in that situation." With regret and acts of restitution, we can be "back on line" and even with the world. Perhaps the more we choose to dive into this life and taste its goodness, the fewer shoulda, coulda, and woulda's we must regret.

-- Ted Donato (tdonato@toppenish.wednet.edu), January 29, 2003


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