Groundhog day.

Growing up in New York State, February 2nd was an important day for kids that were tired of the snow and cold weather.

We eagerly waited for Punxsutawney Phil and asked if he saw his shadow or not. It seems funny now to think that he could determine if Spring was coming sooner or if we have six more weeks of winter. I should have known that it was going to snow until March and be cold until April in Upstate New York.

The Bill Murray movie, Ground Hog Day was a classic movie. The calendar flipping to February and the movie inspired me to write this blog.

In the movie, Bill Murray wakes up each day and he is trapped in Punxsutawney on Ground Hog Day. He ends up using it for his benefit and the movie is feel good and funny. If you have not seen the movie, I highly recommend it.

How many of us feel like we are in the movie Ground Hog Day as educators? I know I have. We often fall into a funk, especially in January. If not careful, the funk can consume us.

If you are like me, I arrive at school before the sun has risen and leave often when the sun is already down, I eat the same breakfast, walk the same path at school, and tend to wear the same outfits each week. If not careful, the days turn into weeks and the weeks turn into months and the months into years. The funk wears on us and in a day and time where educators are needed to be at our best, we need to shake this funk any way we can. If not, we float through the year and miss out on our family and friends.

As a father of five wonderful children, I want the time to stop. My youngest are twins in high school. My son is in college and my two older daughters are out of school. My wife and I are looking at becoming empty nesters soon. This is exciting and scary all at once.

As educators, we are notorious for putting others before us all the time. We often sacrifice our family because we have nothing left to give when we get home. When we are home, our body might be there but our mind is elsewhere.

Something has to change. I need to change and I need to ensure I am there for my family.

Today was a good start to shaking the funk. I want days like today to be the norm.

My wife and I took a long walk (it its 75 degrees today in South Texas), we had a family dinner (chicken Parmesan) and I was able to sit outside and watch football. We went to church, I hung out with my dad, and I closed my eyes while sitting outside.

Why are days like today an exception, instead of the norm for educators?

I plan to make this week the best week yet. I will dress the part, be present for my wife and kids, be supportive & engaged at school, and leave work at work when I come home. I will cherish the moment, look for joy, and hope that time slows down. I will manufacture my own Ground Hog Day movie.

I encourage each of you to put yourself first this week. We deserve it.

Let’s go!