Letter: Make your extra second meaningful

TO THE EDITOR:

Grunts and groans about the presidential election aside, 2016 will be remembered for many things — the Rio Olympics, the latest Harry Potter sequel, the Powerball-winning Chester County resident (OK, only interesting to people in Pennsylvania) and Black Lives Matter protests in Baltimore and other cities across the U.S.

Included on this list, however, should be another momentous event that we all have long sought: a little more time.

For, on December 31st, 2016, the United States Naval Observatory will add another second — a leap second — to our calendar year.

(It is actually the second second added since 2015.)

So, what will you do with your leap second?

Here are some suggestions from lifehack.org: smile, laugh out loud, take a deep breath, take a sip of water, make meaningful eye contact with a stranger or give thanks.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you make this extra second count.

High-five a friend, shut off your phone, kiss a loved one.

This is a great opportunity to appreciate the little ways that we can positively impact others and improve our own lives.

So join me during this special second in being mindful of how ­— although time is fleeting — it’s how we spend it that really counts.

Erin Collins

Chapel Hill