We are told we all have within us
a "sidereal clock" and usually the people who tell us that say we
should live by it. What they mean is that we should wake sometime near daybreak
and go to bed sometime near nightfall. And that so doing is good for us. Really
good for us. Countless studies. Past, present and future. Many on-going.
The most famous short poem supporting
this argument is, of course, by Dr. Benjamin
Franklin:
Early to bed and early to rise
Makes a man healthy, wealthy and
wise.
The most famous use of the
concept as a political slogan belongs to Ronald
Reagan, whose "It's Morning in America" will no doubt keep stone-cutters busy for the
rest of this century.
In fact, if you look up sidereal
(yes, I looked it up) it really is a sort of time-keeping devise based on the
stars. But, like your grandmother or a farmer you knew growing up or Doctor Somebody
Else, guest on The Dr. Somebody Show, I too believe in the sidereal clock --
well, at least the clock part.
That is to say, I know there are
morning people. However, I also know the early to rise business can be carried too far. For instance, I know
that getting up to do the TODAY show has caused ringing in the ears among NBC
employees that lasted till they were reassigned.
But I also know that many people
have slept late and become even wealthier than the wage slaves who follow
Franklin's schedule -- stage stars, concert pianists and rock stars are
examples.
I also recently discovered what, for
lack of a better term, I can only call a sidereal calendar, those days of the
year during which, seemingly inexplicably, you find yourself feeling very sad
or very happy, and there is no reason for it till you realize that something
very important happened on this date last year or five years ago or sometime in
your past. It makes you know why people celebrate anniversaries, I think.
Three related matters: (1) I
don't believe history records Benjamin Franklin as much of an early-riser
himself and he seemed to do all right. And, (2) if getting up early is so good
for you, why do I always feel better and more relaxed when I wake up after
sleeping late? And (3) and finally, why do those morning people have to be so cheerful
about everything -- and so damn loud? It cuts into my sleep.
