Today is Leap Day.
An extra day that makes 366 instead of 365 this year.
An extra day of life, one might say. Nothing short of a miracle.
I'm not a religious man nor do I believe 100% in the Invisible Man In The Sky who watches whatever I do with stern disapproval. But I do believe in leaps of faith.
I believe there are times when we are faced with tough decisions that can change the course of our lives forever. It is during these times that we must take those leaps. Fling ourselves headlong into the unknown, and hope for the best outcome. Whether the issue is love, work, or just how to live our lives in general, at one point or another we have - or will come to - points where we either take that leap, or stay right where we are, always looking with longing at the other end of whatever pass we chose not to traverse.
I've often said that we regret most the things we didn't do, rather than the things we did, because we would always be plagued with the what-ifs. So here's to the leaps of faith we have taken, and the ones we have yet to take, as we cross from life's mesas to even higher grounds.
While we're on the subject of faith, I've always enjoyed Steve Martin's work, and his turn as a traveling huckster masquerading as a religious revival preacher/ faith healer in 1992's Leap of Faith has always stayed with me as a study in transformation. That, and this song from the same film, remind me that whether we like it or not, every so often, we need changes in our lives - and often they come when we least expect them, and they don't always come easily.
So take that leap, if one is needed. As David Lloyd George said: "Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated; you can't cross a chasm in two small jumps."
And as I enter into another year of my life, maybe it's time for a few more leaps of my own, too.
Bonus Lyrics:
Change in my life - Leap of Faith
Standing cold and scared on top of Blue Hill,
There came one moment when I lost my will.
I prayed for mercy, " Please, Lord take me away,
Or give me sunshine where I only see grey."
The past had a hold on me, it can't be denied,
And the changes didn't come easily.
Chorus:
I've been lonely, I've been cheated, I've been misunderstood;
I've been washed up, I've been put down, and told I'm no good.
But with you I belong, 'cause you helped me be strong.
There's a change in my life since you came along.
Oh ooh woh. Woh hohh yeahhh...
Now I don't mind working so hard every day,
And I don't pay no mind to what people say.
'Cause after all the pain I've been through,
I'd give up everything just to love only you.
All my life I've held my head bent in shame,
But now I've found you, and with you I'll remain.
Don't you know...
Chorus:
I've been lonely, I've been cheated, I've been misunderstood;
I've been washed up, I've been put down, and told I'm no good.
But with you I belong, 'cause you helped me be strong.
There's a change in my life since you came along.
Oh ooh woh. Woh hohh yeahhh...
Now a man gets crazy when his life is all wrong,
And a heart gets weary when it doesn't belong.
When the road gets rocky, Lord, you've got to keep on,
Let the new light come shining on through.
(Repeat chorus X2 and fade out)
