In order to understand the effects of anti-gravity on astronauts, NASA is willing to pay $17,000 to participants in a 120-day bed rest study. As a study subject, you are to be confined to a downward tilted bed for 90 days of this time. That would be quite a rush of blood to the head (literally) and an awful lot time doing meditative yoga, watching T.V., or reading lots of books.

You don’t have to look too far for examples of life with lots of bed rest. There are plenty of people in this world who are, in fact, confined to a bed with paralysis, old age, injury, sickness, or disease. Or, metaphorically speaking, many people in this world who live life without activity or zest. Bed rest, to me, is the polar opposite to traveling. In fact, it’s the exact opposite of life itself.

On the other hand, after four months of lying on a bed I would certainly have the desire and money to travel around the world. But why would I willingly do it if it means 120 precious days of life gone by?

I wouldn’t. $17,000 for bed rest is quite a price to pay for four months of life wasted.

So excuse me while I walk out my door right now and do nothing but soak in my surroundings. One minute of that is worth more than $17,000.