The Ten-Day Leap

For most of us the arrival of a highly-anticipated event such as the birth of a new baby, a long-awaited vacation, the return home of a loved one, the big game we've been looking forward to, etc., seems to take forever.

On the other hand, if it's one of those dreaded events like April 15th, the date a divorce becomes final, admission to the hospital for major surgery or any event that brings pain, despair, or a sense of loss, the calendar rushes forward with breathtaking speed.

Regardless of whether you approach a particular date with anticipation or dread, you will be fascinated to know that on February 24, 1582, a church commission appointed by Pope Gregory XIII decided to change the calendar, dropping ten days and adopting a "leap year." For those countries that accepted the change, the date immediately became ten days later.

I have no information as to the resulting chaos and confusion that undoubtedly took place following the time/date change. I can imagine that the people who happened to have birthdays during those ten days were somewhat chagrinned that they had missed out on a birthday or anniversary which generally brings more pleasure than pain.

In this day of litigation, many employees would probably sue their employers if they were not paid for the ten days they didn't work. Some of the creditors would be besieged with threats and pleas if they were unwilling to bend the rules and give a few days of grace to people who were in debt to them.

Today, however, if we live our lives one day at a time, and if we do the best we can each day, we are making the best preparation for tomorrow. After all, today is the tomorrow of yesterday that we were going to do so much with. Do "so much" every day, and all your tomorrows will be better - and I'll SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

Zig Ziglar is known as America’s Motivator.  He authored 33 books and produced numerous training programs. He will be remembered as a man who lived out his faith daily.