Inner Nature: The need for sleep
By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times
The death-like appearance of sleepers has fascinated people for millennia; death is even euphemistically called “eternal sleep”. But why do we and other animals need sleep? A good night’s sleep is considered a key to a clear head, and most of us sleep between 6 and 8 hours. But some notoriously high achievers, including Leonardo da Vinci Nikola Tesla, and...
Becoming The Best U: Improving your resiliency
By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times
Question: I lost my job during Covid and since then I can’t seem to pull myself out of my funk. Other friends of mine lost their job too, but they seem to have dealt with it just fine. Heck, one of my friends decided to start her own company after getting fired from her last job. She’s loving life! What’s wrong with me? What do they have that I don’t?
Bess...
Inner Nature: Wasps, ants and bees
By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times
Summer. A time to kick back, relax and read, or listen to podcasts.
I enjoy podcasts, especially science podcasts. Two of my favorites are The Infinite Monkey Cage from the BBC and Ologies with Alie Ward. Both are erudite but also light-hearted and don’t take themselves too seriously – which is one of the failings of politicians, economists and some scientists,...
ReFirement at Any Age: Ubuntu
By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times
Ubuntu is translated as, “I Am Because You Are, You Are Because I Am”
Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and reading about how we humans are all connected. We are different, but by the same token, we are the same. It seemed only natural that I share this concept of Ubuntu with you so that you may experience what this could mean in your life.
The...
Inner Nature: The nature of instinct
By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times
One of the unexpected sights driving around my neighborhood in Chester county is seeing an adult male peacock with a magnificent tail walking about the streets. Peacocks are native to the tropics, and are the national bird of India. This peacock was probably bought as a pet, maybe as a pair, maybe alone. He’s since become feral, and has no partner. He has a big...
Becoming the Best U : Fining summertime memories
By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times
Question: Summer is my favorite season and yet I never seem to make the most of it. I feel like every year I turn around and it’s September and I’ve done nothing exciting or memorable. Any advice to make this summer a great one?
Rochelle – Philadelphia
Answer: I understand Rochelle. I think most of us would say they let summer slip away. In the blink...
Inner Nature: Sentience
By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times
Two books released over the last two years: Lars Chittka’s “Mind of a Bee” and Stephen Buchmann’s “What a Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories and Personalities of Bees” have thrown into turmoil the question of sentience – the capacity for feelings – of honeybees, and whether we humans truly understand the capabilities of minds that operate...
ReFirement at Any Age : Be the change you want to see
By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times
Living in this world can be challenging and hard to understand but it can also be inspiring.
How is that possible, you may ask?
Well, if we can’t change the way something looks, maybe we can change the way we see it.
How we do that is by clearing our minds of judgment and just look at a person or situation and make the effort to fully understand what we’re...
Inner Nature: Rock honeybee encounter in Chennai, India
By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times
I am currently in India. My father lives in Chennai, a city on the southeast Bay of Bengal coast, in a flat (apartment) in a tower block. Recently a swarm of honeybees showed up and settled on a large waterpipe that ran above a public stairwell. Anxious that passersby would get stung, a decision was made by the maintenance crew to call in pest control. A previous...
Becoming the Best U: Your questions about Mothers’ Day
By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times
Question: Mother’s Day is coming up and I need advice. My daughter, who lives nearby, just had her second child and I have no idea how to help her celebrate this wonderful holiday. My daughter isn’t one for chocolate or flowers. Any ideas?
Sue – Philadelphia
Answer: I agree with you, Sue, Mother’s Day is a wonderful holiday and its origin is based in Philadelphia!...
