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What a Movie Can Teach Us about Loving our Spouse

If you have never seen the movie “Groundhog Day” with Bill Murray, or haven’t seen it in awhile, let me give you a quick refresher. This early 90’s movie follows a rather curmudgeon, arrogant weather man as he relives the same day over and over—until he finally learns how to break through his own shell and begin to connect with Rita, played by Andie MacDowell.

You may be wondering why Groundhog Day has anything to do with the month of love and why I include it here, but bear with me, because there is actually something pretty deep about the movie, and it will all tie in nicely with creating a stronger marriage.

If you notice something about the theme of the blog posts this month, you’ll notice that everything we are doing here—whether it’s the prayer challenge or creating a special date night for our partner— is an action that we ourselves choose to take. It doesn’t depend on our partner for us to choose to love them and to be mindful of what their needs are—it’s all about us cultivating a heart that has more love, consideration, and care for our spouse. Because when we choose love, it inevitably changes the way we talk to, think about, and interact with our spouse on a daily basis—and that can profoundly change the health of our marriage.

In the movie, Bill Murray’s character relives the same day over and over until he realizes the greater opportunities that are right in front of him. So what seemed like a curse of reliving the same day over and over was really just a lesson, and when he began to recognize that lesson, he began to change, evolve, grow, and connect.

What I’m suggesting is that we start looking at our own “Groundhog” challenges—whether that is an argument we tend to “have to win” with our partner or it’s some other area where we always seem to butt heads with our partner over, and to start looking at it differently. Could it be that these so-called challenges are actually lessons for us to learn and grow from? Can we offer grace to let our partner grow? And can we give up being “right” for letting the other person feel heard and understood? These are all questions I challenge you to answer this month. It’s that important.   

When we start to identify those repeating patterns, we may find there are lessons there. It may be things we need to understand about our partner or realize about ourselves, but whatever they are, there are opportunities for growth, and where there is growth, there is hope!

What are your thoughts on possible “Groundhog” challenges you are facing that are actually lessons to be learned? Would love to hear your comments, so feel free to share below.  Hope you had a magnificent Valentines Day.

Your Virtual Relationship Mentor,

Doug

Comments(4)

  1. Lisa Roberts says

    Hi Doug-keep up the great work! I have been thinking about your blog. I realize how important it is to allow my husband to have his dreams. I don’t see how two of them would ever work-but I totally am on board with him keeping them. Offering him that grace to enjoy “what might happen some day.”

    • cwatchadmin says

      Hey Lisa,
      Appreciate your comments. If you ever need to talk further about this, let me know. Can be tricky I know but there may be a way forward with all of this.

  2. Tamesa L Gamble Noel says

    Very True and right on time. Thank you and God bless you and keep you Chaplain.

    • cwatchadmin says

      Great to hear from you Tamesa.

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