Musings: Leaping Ahead…
“We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success.” Henry David Thoreau
Musings: Leaping Ahead...
Musings: Leaping Ahead...
Did you know that: This day is added to the calendar in leap years as a corrective measure, because the earth does not orbit around the sun in precisely 365 days. A year that is not a leap year is called a common year (Wikipedia)
Today is February 29th, the leap day of a leap year; a phenomenon that occurs every four years. I wanted to set this piece aside while I indulged my fantasy of photographing colorful cupcakes for the photo challenge. I changed my mind because, after all, it is the last day of a month filled with important celebratory events. I figured that before we bid this month adieu and leap ahead into the ides of March and more, we should take another glance at this unique month on the calendar.
When I checked my events calender, I was impressed to see what we celebrate in February: National Freedom Day 2/1, Groundhog Day 2/2, Candlemas 2/2, Tu B’Shevat 2/7, Boy Scout Day 2/8, Valentine’s Day 2/14, Presidents Day 2/20, Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras 2/21, Ash Wednesday 2/22, Leap Day 2/29, Chinese New Year (2/10 in 2013), The Academy Awards, Superbowl Sunday, Black History Month, American Heart Month… Canned Food Month, Creative Romance Month, Great American Pie Month, National Cherry Month, National Children’s Dental Health Month, National Grapefruit Month, National Weddings Month, and 3rd Week International Flirting Week. How many of these holidays or special events did you celebrate?
“I advise you to say your dream is possible and then overcome all inconveniences, ignore all the hassles and take a running leap through the hoop, even if it is in flames.” Les Brown
Musings: Leaping Ahead...
Did you know that: In Britain and Ireland, it is a tradition that women may propose marriage only on leap years. In Finland, the tradition is that if a man refuses a woman’s proposal on leap day, he should buy her the fabrics for a skirt. In Greece, marriage in a leap year is considered unlucky. (Wikipedia)
As if the above wasn’t enough, I decided to do a little research for more February events/holidays, and that is when I came across a list that included additional February special events and holidays that ranged from the bizarre to the blissful. Are you familiar with any of the following?
Here are more celebrations for Each Day in February: 1 National Freedom Day, 2 Ground Hog Day,, 2 Candlemas, 3 The Day the Music Died – Buddy Holly/Richie Valens others died in 1959 plane crash., 4 Create a Vacuum Day, 4 Thank a Mailman Day, 5 National Weatherman’s Day, 6 Lame Duck Day, 7 Wave All you Fingers at Your Neighbor Day, 7 Send a Card to a Friend Day, 7 Winter Olympics in 2014, 8 Boy Scout Day, 8 Kite Flying Day, 9 Toothache Day, 10 Umbrella Day, 11 Don’t Cry over Spilled Milk Day, 11 Make a Friend Day, 11 White T-Shirt Day, 12 Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, 12 Plum Pudding Day, 13 Clean out Your Computer Day, 13 Get a Different Name Day, 14 Ferris Wheel Day Are you familiar with any of them? More below 🙂
“All growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous, unpremeditated act without benefit of experience.” Henry Miller
Musings: Leaping Ahead...
Did you know that: A person born on February 29 may be called a “leapling” or a “leaper.” In common years they usually celebrate their birthdays on February 28 or March 1. (Wikipedia)
I was amazed at the list of days that we could be doing fascinating things to make our lives fun, less dull. What do you think of the rest? 14 National Organ Donor Day, 14 Valentine’s Day, 15 Candlemas , 15 National Gum Drop Day, 15 Singles Awareness Day, 16 Do a Grouch a Favor Day, 17 Random Acts of Kindness Day, 18 National Battery Day, 19 National Chocolate Mint Day, 20 Cherry Pie Day, 20 Hoodie Hoo Day, 20 Love Your Pet Day, 20 President’s Day, 21 Card Reading Day, 22 George Washington’s Birthday, 22 Be Humble Day, 22 Walking the Dog Day, 22 International World Thinking Day, 23 International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day, 23 Tennis Day, 24 National Tortilla Chip Day, 25 Pistol Patent Day, 26 Carnival Day, 26 National Pistachio Day, 26 Tell a Fairy Tale Day, 27 Polar Bear Day, 27 No Brainer Day , 28 Floral Design Day, 28 Public Sleeping Day, 28 National Tooth Fairy Day (and/or August 22), 29 Leap Day Phew! Thank God it’s over. What a long list for every single day in February.
The Wolf and the Crane
A Wolf had been gorging on an animal he had killed, when suddenly a small bone in the meat stuck in his throat and he could not swallow it. He soon felt terrible pain in his throat, and ran up and down groaning and groaning and seeking for something to relieve the pain. He tried to induce every one he met to remove the bone. “I would give anything,” said he, “if you would take it out.” At last the Crane agreed to try, and told the Wolf to lie on his side and open his jaws as wide as he could. Then the Crane put its long neck down the Wolf’s throat, and with its beak loosened the bone, till at last it got it out. “Will you kindly give me the reward you promised?” said the Crane. The Wolf grinned and showed his teeth and said: “Be content. You have put your head inside a Wolf’s mouth and taken it out again in safety; that ought to be reward enough for you.” Gratitude and greed go not together.
So as we look back and then leap forward, let us remember to be thankful for what we experienced last month and then embrace this new one with gratitude. Above is a story to help us remember to appreciate the days we have… What are your thoughts? What were you thankful for in February? What do you think of the leap year? Do you know anyone born in a Leap year? How do they celebrate it? Do share! Thank you. 😉
Positive Motivation Tip: Look before you leap and then go for it with confidence and faith in the outcome…
Related articles
- Leap Year Day (theabysmal.wordpress.com)
- Take a leap this leap year (terripham.wordpress.com)
- Happy Leap Day! (canadianinindiana.wordpress.com)
- Leap Year (iloveyousoblog.wordpress.com)
- Leap years: Needed, and “Leap babies” share bond (cbsnews.com)
- Leap Year/Leap Day! (brettjensen.wordpress.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Be Careful Clara, Leap year Path, Maiden’s Vow, Maidens Are, via Wikipedia and/or via Flickr
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Interesting ! And informative too.
Nice post !!
utham
Thank you for your feedback and have a terrific month of March! 🙂
The consensus view of February 29th is rather sexist, don’t you think? Why should women have to wait every four years to propose? They are in fact, being forbidden to propose at any other time. Look at those pictures of the poor, unsuspecting man about to be trapped by those desperate and pathetic women. It’s one of the reasons I ignored it yesterday.
I had never heard about the rule until recently and found it quite amusing/silly rather than sexist. Rules are meant to be broken and I doubt anyone followed it to the T. I found it ironic that the postcards featured women doing what typically men are known to do. I looked at the women from a place of strength not weakness; we get to do the hunting for a change. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. 😉
super informative! I really enjoyed this one, elizabeth!
I’m glad you did… I enjoyed writing it and it was fun to discover that long list of events/holidays celebrated in February… Quite hectic! 😉
hry, I’m curious, did i get caught in your spam filter?
Yes, you did. Contact Akismet to let them know and they should resolve it in a few days…
I un-spammed you so it shouldn’t be a problem. 😉
I was not sure what Leap Day was at first but now I get it, we call it “Skottår” in Sweden. But as far as I have noticed the only thing we “celebrate” is this thing that it is a day for women to propose. So in that sense I did not celebrate it this year, hehe. Take care Eliz! 🙂
I’ve never celebrated the Leap Year and didn’t think anyone else did. It is NOT a holiday in any place I know. It is a unique day as it occurs every four years… Beyond that, I was surprised to read about other rituals around it… Fascinating. 😉
Amd to think I missed out on participating in “Wave all your fingers at a neighbor day.” Bummer.
😆 You can wave at me… There! I waved right back at ya! 😉
Great post Elizabeth. You must have put lots of effort creating this post. Really nice job. An interesting & informative post. We all need to know these facts, although I knew some of them; but most of them are new for me. Thank you for this post. 🙂
TY too! Some of it was new to me too and I’m always happy to learn something new… 🙂
Once upon a time, long ago, there was a comic strip “Li’l Abner” – Daisy Mae was always in hot pursuit of Abner and every leap year she would propose to Abner… In the comic strip Leap Day was known as “Sadie Hawkins Day.” I learned a lot reading the Sunday funnies… 🙂
Informative post. I never knew that Feb 29th had so many traditions and celebrations linked to it. Thanks Elizabeth.
You have the most interesting and fascinating facts about the simplest of things.. Thank you for sharing them. You are now my wikipedia.
Reblogged this on Milenanik3's Blog and commented:
Thank You Elizabeth..I loved this article so much
I loved this blog. I saw Les Brown live…oh many many years ago. So I loved his quote.
I’m always happy to learn something new too. Thank you for this interesting, informative post Elizabeth. Love the vintage postcard illustrations! 🙂
Great post and I love those old style prints 🙂
Leap into the dark with joy! Yes! And Happy World Book Day to you today!
I’ve always considered leap day to be an interesting concept! Nicely done…
I’m NOT going to miss Pistachio Day next February! Ha! The list of February celebrations is indeed quite impressive. I hadn’t previously counted it that way. My husband’s father died young, but his birthday was February 29th. We celebrated his life! It’s a fun added day! Thanks, Elizabeth. Lots of good ideas! Debra
A nice wrap-up of February. Thankfully, as ours is so hot we tend to take things a little slower!
And February 29 doesn’t feature much in our lives – I know no-one born on the 29th and nothing major has ever happened on the 29th that I know of for anyone in our extended family.
Fantastic post, E! It sure took a LEAP to make all those LINKS! 😀
There sure is a lot of celebrating to do in February. Both my kids are born in this month as well (2/7 and 2/11). It remains one of my favorites.
Obviously, I need 3 or 4 extra leap days to catch up with the rest of the gang. Cute post, well thought out, informative, and I love the pictures that go with the facts. All you’re lacking here is 2 or 3 extra days to donate to the cause! 😉
A little late in reading your informative entry on the leap year. Stopping by to wish you a great March! Have been so super busy, and feel I am missing out with my WP friends, so today, I sat down to catch up with all my favorite bloggers. 🙂
Happy Leap Day, Elizabeth!
February has some nice commemorative days. I’d never heard of these before – Clean Out Your Computer Day, International World Thinking Day and Be Humble Day.
So many interesting facts about leap year…somehow February leap-ed away and now I find myself March-ing along….I had a wonderful February and look forward to March… : )
Be thine own palace, or the world’s thy jail. John Donne
Holiday is always appreciated. A lot of people(myself included) often need to find more reason to do something extra or give yourself a little reward over nothing, just because I feel like it.