How many times have parents said to their children, "Go to bed now; sweet dreams." How many times have children tried to stay up late (an adult proclivity also), squeeze more into the day and end up worrying about tomorrow?

Getting a good night's sleep is important; having dreams is important. History could depend on it.

A long time ago, there was a king of Lydia (an area in present-day Turkey), named Gyges. His kingdom was being threatened by the Cimmerians in the seventh century BCE. These were a very warring people, marching across the region, overcoming everything and everyone in their path. Gyges could have stayed up late, worrying about the impending doom. If he had, perhaps he would have awakened too tired and unfocused to face the Cimmerians successfully. They may have been victorious and continued their conquest westward, eventually crossing over into Greece, subjugating and thereby aborting a culture from giving birth to the Golden Age of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle in the fifth century BCE.

Instead, King Gyges went to bed and had a dream in which the god of Assyria advised him to become a vassal state of Assyria. Moved by this dream and refreshed with a good night's sleep, Gyges victoriously engaged the Cimmerians on the battlefield and sent two captured Cimmerian chiefs to the king of Assyria in order to establish an alliance. Years later, based on this alliance, the Cimmerians were totally driven out of Asia Minor (Turkey) and Lydia developed into a minor kingdom renown for its gold, commerce and culture.

The birthplace of Western civilization was spared because of one person going to bed and having sweet dreams instead of staying up late worrying about tomorrow. At least, these are the interesting reflections of Dr. Barbara Porter, PhD, expert in Assyriology at Harvard.

One should never underestimate the value of a good night's sleep. One can never be too wary of unintended consequences that can result if unprepared for the tasks at hand. Life is not a pre-ordained script. History unfolds--our stories unfold--as we make the best or the worst of our choices and opportunities.

This new year of 2015 will certainly be an adventure because it is not predetermined. Follow your dreams and your imaginings into unchartered waters with hope and a desire to do good for yourself and for others. As the year unfolds, you will certainly experience many surprises and many joys.

A key in all of this is to set your worries aside each night and go to bed. Sweet dreams.