Chesterton's essay "On Lying in Bed" is a tongue-in-cheek, humorous depiction of why lying in bed for no special reason is actually good for one's well-being. He provides us with picturesque thoughts and ideas to persuade us that lying in bed is far from a useless activity and having little or no merit. Chesterton's style of writing is poetic and light-hearted; yet thought provoking with his biblical references and deep understanding of human nature. He writes almost as if he is talking rather putting pen to paper. "On Lying in Bed" is paradoxical because while we think of lying in bed as doing nothing, to Chesterton, his head is a bee hive of activity. He uses wonderful paradoxes to send his message that society's view of lying in bed is misguided. .
To the narrator, "lying in bed" is a medium for self-reflection, inspiration and creativity. In the beginning of his essay, Mr. Chesterton enlightens us with what one can do while lying in bed as he provides a vibrant picture of painting on a ceiling as Michelangelo did. He makes us see a blank ceiling as a potential canvas for a piece of art as Michelangelo did. Then he suggests we too could produce a wonderful piece of art. Lying on your back and staring at a ceiling does not have to be boring. Instead, I would rather think the ceiling to be similar to a white motion picture screen. The screen would constantly change; depending on where my imagination was going. The screen is waiting to be filled with extraordinary works and actions. This could be fun events like riding my horse, or projections of the dream home I hope to build some day. Chesterton's main point was that we tend to work really hard at seeking just the right places to find the things we are looking for. We really don't need to look hard at all because our objects of desire are not in obscure places, they are in ordinary places.
It is interesting that this essay was written in 1906, and the same negative thoughts about lying in bed are as timely today if not more so.