On Dec. 31, at 6:59:59 p.m. ET (or 3:59:59 p.m. for those on PT) people will have one whole extra second to play with. Sure, 2016 has already been long enough (and it’s only August), but that second is coming for you, ready or not.

It is entirely possible this leap second, like the leap second in 2015, might play havoc with Instagram and Netflix, so that’s Plan A out the window.

Time is precious. If you’re not prepared, you’ll end up wasting that time cutting your nails or standing in line returning a gift someone didn’t thoughtfully pick out for you.

You could get started on those resolutions or try something you’ve always wanted to do.

Depending on how the election goes, you might want to spend that time applying for citizenship in another country, or stocking up your bomb shelter.

Or maybe you can spread a little kindness and mayhem — talk to that homeless person you pass every day; bring some leftover Christmas cookies to a veterans home or elderly care center (not that leftover Christmas cookies are a thing). Spend time with friends, or potential friends, whether they’re friendly surfing red pandas or lonely windsurfing albatrosses. Find something new, something different, something brave.

Maybe, after everything this year has wrought, others, like me, will want to use that second to go outside, look up, and take a deep breath to prepare for the world to come.

Laurel Green-Crawford, Wayne

Copy the Story Link