Groundhog Day fascinates me. Not the movie, but the fable of what a groundhog can tell us about the weather.

No one I know uses the prediction of Punxsutawney Phil to decide how much salt to buy for the driveway or when to buy spring clothes.

But lots of people live their lives according to something much less reliable than if a groundhog sees its shadow. I’m talking about the opinions of others.

“Be more like the weather,” the saying goes. “It pays no attention to the opinions of others.”

The world is full of successful people who defied the limits that others tried to place on them. Elvis Presley was rejected. So were the Beatles. Almost 1,400 players were drafted before baseball slugger Mike Piazza was. Michael Jordan was cut from his freshman basketball team.

“Patterning your live around others’ opinions is nothing more than slavery,” said Lawana Blackwell.

Success belongs to those who can persist in their vision despite those who offer negativity.

Cicero said, “No one can give you better advice than yourself.”

And if you follow that advice, you won’t need Punxsutawney Phil or anyone else to tell you how you’re doing.

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