Once every four years we get one extra day. If you're not familiar with the reasoning, think of Leap Day as a bit of a balancing act. The Earth's orbit around the sun is only approximately 365 days. In fact, it's a bit longer... about a quarter of a day longer.
So every few years, we enjoy a bonus day to help balance the calendars. And while it's really just a normal Thursday, it's kind of fun to allow a little more lore. It's silly that some babies born today will one day be able to say things like "I'm 36, but I'm also 9."
My favorite way to think about Leap Day is as a bonus day -- extra time to "leap" into a new project or chase a dream I've only thought about.
But the truth is, every day can be a bonus day. Not a single one of us knows how many days we're given on this Earth. None of us knows if we'll live long enough to achieve all our dreams. All of this could be taken today, so each extra step we take on this planet is a gift.
What if, instead of once every four years, we woke up each morning thankful for a bonus day?
What if we didn't wait to start new projects, but went for it right here and now?
When I think about all of the things I'd hope not to regret one day, I know that to treat each day as a bonus day would be to hold true appreciation for the gift of this life.
To quote the great poet Mary Oliver (taken from her poem 'The Summer Day')
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?As much as February 29th is a bonus day, so is March 1st and May 20th and December 31st.
How will you use each and every one?
Photo by Maksim Romashkin: https://www.pexels.com/photo/unrecognizable-happy-people-jumping-in-sunset-6152103/
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