Children of Light

Some people may think I am crazy if I were to say that creation or the discovery of artificial lighting system is a disgrace to God’s creation. Let me explain my stance before you pounce on me like ravenous wolves. God created night and day, the Sun to rule the day and the moon to rule the night. He provided us with hard and soft light (as those in photography and videography would call) for two different kinds of needs. But today the human beings have created any number of kinds of light, and they even have deviced a method of dimming the light. Sometimes one wonders if it is night or day.

There is a thirst in human beings to extend the day and shorten the night, failing to realize that night and day are two phases of human life. We have evolved a system of lighting up our surroundings, to some extent, equaling the natural light, so that we would think that we are enjoying the blessing of day. But we don’t stop at that, we even attempt to control our bodies to the changing phases of our day and night. We prefer a long day and a short day, because day represents all that is lovely, lively, and night represents all that is dull and gloomy. But that is not the whole truth.

I for one am not a nocturnal being, like some of my friends, who would keep awake till about two o’clock in the early morning and then would go to bed, to get up well past eight in the morning. Naturally they need the minimum hours of sleep. I don’t remember burning the midnight’s lamp, even when I had the toughest examinations to get through. Before the clock stuck twelve midnight, I was invariably on the bed, enjoying a sound sleep. I have no serious problem with people who go late to bed and rise late, but when we are in a group, if people wish everyone to go late to bed, I find it hard to accept. I have built up a rhythm in accordance with nature, and to change it is sure to affect my very system.

By now I know rather too well that after about 9 pm, I am no more the same vibrant self I am in the morning. The body is tired and it is time to rest, which however does not mean to sleep. I like relaxing by myself either reading or writing, or watching a movie, or listening to a song. I would love to respect this particular rhythm of my body, mind and spirit, and feel a bit annoyed when some people force me to change it. I hate any serious work or meeting after 9 pm, and sometimes when I am compelled to be engaged with some serious work, by body reacts, and I get headache; that is an indication for me that it is time to be off, but how would I expect others to understand my rhythm?

It is important that each one of us finds out our body rhythm in terms of its movement. I know the best time of the day is the morning, not necessarily the early morning as some think and understand, but time from 7 to 10 am. Much of my creative works take place during this time period. I can give my best during these hours. I get the natural light to shine on me and my work, and I don’t need to burn an extra ounce of oil to keep my lamp burning. I can still hear the chirping of the birds, alongside the vehicles on the road. I can still hear the raucous laughter of children, while at the same time feel the gentle yet warm rays of the sun. Even in the midst of madding crowds, I can forget the whole world and enter into the cave of my heart… and the journey interior is never ending!