There are two types of holidays: meaningful and made up. The meaningful days include The 4th of July, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and religious holidays. Made up holidays include Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day and February 29th. It seems February needed a little spicing up. Since today is Groundhog Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on its significance.
Hmmm. Like a groundhog on a cloudy day, I see nothing when I reflect. Because there is nothing to reflect on. There is no meteorological reason to focus on groundhogs. Forget the meteors, there are no logical reasons to focus on groundhogs. Yet we do.
I’m not writing to pooh-pooh Groundhog Day. Quite the opposite. I think it stands as an amazing symbol of creativity, and possibility, and making something out of nothing. If a nation of over 300 million people can recognize this fabricated rodent day, you can bring your vision to life too.
MLK Jr. Day, Small Business Saturday and Earth Day are all holidays that were born during my lifetime-ish. These are all great ideas, made real by someone’s vision, imagination and effort. I’m not saying you need to make up a new holiday, but you could.
The important thing to recognize is that if you want something to exist that currently does not, you can make it happen. If you have an idea that is useful or fun or important I strongly encourage you to write it down, sketch it out and give it as much detail as you can. Then work hard to bring it to life. It could be a product, business, charity, service or event. Heck, it could be a home, a support group, a marketing campaign or a better groundhog trap. All ideas come to life through the same simple process.
This time last year my advertising agency, The Weaponry, only existed in my head. A year later it is as real as it gets. Like IRS-real. In fact, we have already worked with 11 clients in 6 states and 2 countries. If I can do this, you can do it.
So what is your Groundhog Day? I know you have something in your head that you wish was real. From now on, when you hear or read Groundhog Day I want this invented holiday to make you think of the things you want to create. Let it inspire your ideas that could have a bigger impact on life than a rodent in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania or Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. You can do it. I believe it beyond a seeing-your-own-shadow of a doubt.
Adam Albrecht Blog 
First of all, mother forker, Leap Year is a real thing. I know there’s a 99% chance you threw that in just to see if I was paying attention, but I speak for all Leap Year people when I say, “Screw You, Albrecht!”
Ok, now on to the serious stuff. Great post (as always, when are you going to start posting just so-so blog posts, you’re making the rest of us look bad). I created 48in48 with this concept in mind. It’s my goal that, like Earth Day but on a smaller scale, one weekend every year is 48in48 Weekend, where 48 cities around the globe are building 48 nonprofit websites in 48 hours. To your point, if you can imagine it, you can do it.
But you’re still a Leap Year hating bastard.
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Thanks. But the fact that you say your were born on Leap Day makes me think that you are probably a cyborg. 48in48 is a perfect example. I expect you will go well beyond 48 cities. Speaking of 48, when you celebrate your 12th birthday you will actually have been on Earth for 48 years. Weird but true.
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Unless the groundhog sees his shadow, then we skip Leap Year that year of course.
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#newwrinkle
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