86,400 Seconds

86,400 seconds is the amount of time we have each day. It sounds like a lot of time when we look at it in seconds. Yet each day seems to go by so quickly. Most years we get 31,536,000 seconds (365 x 86,400). Since this year is a leap year, we are given 31,622,400 seconds (366 x 86,400).

Most leap years we let leap day slip by without much attention. Unless you are one of the folks whose birthday actually falls on the twenty-ninth of February. Then you might look forward to this day with anticipation. Or perhaps if you want to adopt the tradition where the lass proposes to the lad, then leap day might be something to look forward to. But for the rest of us, the day comes and goes without a second glance.

I say we make this year different and start a new tradition. Let’s make leap day a special day. We all talk about needing more time for various reasons. And with leap day, we are getting an extra twenty-four hours. Therefore, I say we do something significant on this day.

How can we do that? The answer can vary for each of us. Think of something that you have been wanting to do, but you just haven’t gotten around to it. Or think of something that is holding you back which you would like to lay aside. We just have to pick one thing to do on this day that will make it special.

This year it falls on a weekday, so many of us will still have to report to work. However, we still have an opportunity to do something unique on that day.

Here are some ideas I thought of:

  • Go to a park which you have never been to before
  • Go to dinner and anonymously pay for someone else’s meal
  • Don’t complain all day, especially if this is a bad habit of yours
  • Don’t look at social media, video games, television, or something similar, especially if this is an issue for you
  • Anonymously send a friend a gift card
  • Do something special with your family, laying aside work or any other distractions
  • Read a book or watch a movie that you have been wanting to read / watch
  • Cook a meal (or bake something sweet) together with your family
  • Adopt a pet
  • Take care of an item on your to-do list
  • Donate money to a good cause
  • Plant a garden
  • Use the day for fasting and prayer
  • Bring your neighbor fresh baked cookies
  • Visit a nursing home

These are just a few examples of how we can do something memorable with the extra 86,400 seconds we will get this year. Feel free to come up with something of your own. If you do, I’d love to hear about it!

Photo credit: Marcin Nowak on unsplash.com

86,400 Seconds by Bridget A. Thomas was first posted on ChristiansRead.com Feb 27, 2020.

21 Comments on “86,400 Seconds

  1. Love this idea, Bridget. Usually the 29th of Feb passes without much notice but what a wonderful way to acknowledge the extra hours we are given. I am thinking of baking something for my neighbour. It has been on my mind but have been putting it off as I have been busy. But this has given me more cause to just go ahead and do it.

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  2. I love this! I was just telling me friend yesterday that this year is a leap year. We have an extra day this year and how can we use it differently? But yeah, month end close in accounting world. 🥲 But after work!! I’ll find something to do that’s unique. Thanks for sharing! 🤗

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    • Oh wow! That’s so funny that you said the same thing to your friend! Sorry about month end. But I hope you are able to do something special after work! 🤍

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  3. This is a creative way to celebrate leap year. Thanks for the ideas. I will be thinking of what I should do. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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    • I hope you come up with something special. I haven’t completely decided what I will do yet either. But I have some options I’m thinking about. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend too 💜

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      • Thank you. Also, I am really enjoying the book you sent me. It’s opening my eyes to the care of our Good Shepherd. It’s so helpful. Thank you again for giving it to me.

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    • Thank you! I hope we can acknowledge it in some way, even if it just means pausing and thanking God for waking us up that morning. Every day is a gift! 💕

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  4. I’ve never thought of Leap Year this way. You’re on to something, Bridget. I’ll be thinking about how to seize the day, but I especially like the idea of setting down my phone as a start.

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  5. Today is a special day for me that I remember all day long since my sweet Daddy passed away on February 29th. So I remember and I miss him and honor him with my thoughts. He lived for GOD and spread the Savior’s love everywhere he went. He was a giver too. No one ever left his presence empty handed! Great post and thank you much!

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    • It’s interesting that there’s always a lot of talk about people who’s birthday falls on leap day. But there’s not a lot of talk about those who passed away. Your father sounds like a special man. And what a gift it is to know that you will see him again one day. Sending you hugs. 🤗

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