It's About Time

Spring is here! Or so the calendar tells us so. Right there in print: First Day Of Spring. And, because a calendar based on Northern Hemisphere Mood Swings dictates what we are to celebrate; change; at what date and time to do these things, then it must be so despite blizzards in the Northeastern part of The States. Spring has not yet sprung there, while the West Coast is having a nice in-between weather pattern of some rain, some snow, some sun, some wind, some hot days, some cold days. You know, kind of what Spring is like – a mixture of winter leaving and summer's approach.

But, do we need to follow everything the calendar imparts to us? Such as the annual Daylight Saving Time shift? I know, I know. There was a practical reason for its inception. But, do we need it now? So many people become depressed in the fall when we turn our clocks back one hour and end up with a pitch-black 5:00 p.m. that feels as if it's at least 9:00 p.m. for months. By the time our bodies have fully adjusted to the early darkness, it's time to move the clock forward an hour. Suddenly, it is bright and sunny until at least 8:00 p.m. and once more our bodies and mental health are challenged to adjust.

For what purpose are we doing this to ourselves again? Isn't it best that, as creatures of this planet, we allow ourselves to simply flow with the natural patterns of the seasons without abrupt mind-and-body-altering disruptions? You may not think it's a big deal one way or another if your country doesn't play the DST Mind-Game, or if you are among the minority of humans who aren't affected by nature's shifts. For those of us who are affected by DST in the fall, more than in the spring, it is a big deal. Thus, I've researched the history of why we do it in the U.S. and have come to the nifty conclusion that it isn't necessary to play around with the clocks every year.

Here is the history of Daylight Saving Time if you're interested. If so, what do you think? Is shelving DST a good idea? Any state can do it – and a few have (Arizona, Hawaii). There are no Federal Mandates/Laws for DST, which is something I find interesting as of all the things So-Called 'Big Government' would be interested in controlling, one would think it would be Time.

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