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April 2024
HOW WE CAN CHANGE OUR HABITS AND SAVE LIVES The Unseen Risks for Workers on the Road
It’s not hard to see the tragic connection between Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Workers’ Memorial Day being in April. As a personal injury attorney with over 32 years under my belt, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating consequences that distracted driving can have on truck drivers and other workers behind the wheel. It’s a subject I feel passionately about, just as much as the dangers of drinking and driving. Many of you already know I am adamantly against drinking and driving. My personal belief, one that I’ve held steadfastly throughout my career, is that if you drink, you shouldn’t drive for at least 12 hours. While this may never become law, the harm I’ve witnessed cements my stance that it’s never okay to drink and drive. But in today’s world, there’s a menace equally as dangerous, if not more so, lurking in our vehicles: our smartphones. Texting and driving, in my opinion, is a more severe hazard than drunk driving. A phone call might split your attention, but at least your eyes remain on the road. However, even hands-free calls can distract you mentally from the task of driving. The truth is that the damage distracted driving can cause, especially for truck drivers who navigate vehicles weighing thousands of pounds, is immense. It’s reckless to text and drive, but phone use behind the wheel has become an ingrained behavior for many — a behavior we must strive to unlearn. Reflecting on my own experiences, I didn’t consistently wear a seatbelt until a college friend insisted on it. Now, it’s a habit. Similarly, we can retrain ourselves to avoid using cellphones while driving. I advocate for all of us to start integrating technology in our vehicles, including smartphones that disable texting and notifications when the car is in motion. As we observe Workers’ Memorial Day, we honor those who have lost their lives on the job, including hardworking individuals like truck drivers. Having handled at least
300 workers’ compensation cases, including about 50 involving fatalities, I’ve seen the quick settlements insurance companies are willing to pay out. But what sticks with me are the stories of human beings, like a truck driver who spent years in the same job only to be killed while working. My father was a preacher who laid bricks to supplement his income. From him, I learned the value of hard work and the significant impact injuries and fatalities have on workers and their families. Our society relies heavily on the labor of hardworking people who, in turn, deserve our utmost respect and the safest possible work environments. As we navigate Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Workers’ Memorial Day, let’s commit to making safer choices behind the wheel and honoring those who’ve paid the ultimate price in service of their work. The connections between our daily habits and the safety of those on the road are profound. Let’s make every effort to protect ourselves and our fellow workers by putting down our phones and focusing on the road ahead.
–Bryan Ramey
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UNLOCK THE POWER OF AROMATHERAPY
How Essential Oils Can Enhance Your Daily Life
Have you ever wondered how to escape feelings of anxiety? We’ve
intermittently for half an hour before you go to bed. The neurotransmitters in your brain will start to wind down while relaxing your mind and body. How It Works The most potent healing compounds are gathered in a single oil by extracting the aromatic oils of plants. The fragrant nature of essential oils triggers the limbic system to create physical reactions in the human body. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel through the nose to the olfactory nerves and then the brain, activating the limbic system. The limbic system — known as the “emotional brain” — is responsible for heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormone balance. By calming the limbic system, the entire body relaxes and reaps the benefits. Essential oils can lift your mood and make you feel good with just a whiff. If you want to stay calm and fall asleep faster, it’s time to explore the power of essential oils!
all been there: Anxiety and stress can wear you down over time. On a daily basis,
our minds are constantly thinking, worrying, and stressing over the racket and turmoil of daily life. Stress often leads to restlessness and even insomnia. Enter Essential Oils Aromatherapy uses essential oils for
therapeutic benefit. To save your sanity, essential oils are proven to help with anxiety and stress levels. Lavender essential oil can help with fear, anxiety, stress relief, panic, and depression, reducing nightmares and similar sleep disturbances. To use, put two drops of lavender oil on the inside of your wrists while slowly rubbing them together. Next, take a deep breath of the scent, and repeat
Unraveling the History of 4 Phrases TRACING THE ROOTS OF EVERYDAY SAYINGS
Bite the Bullet To “bite the bullet” means to accept something difficult or unpleasant. In the olden days, when doctors were short on anesthesia or time during a battle, they
Many different vernaculars are used in daily conversations — English is constantly changing! Some phrases we hear often might make sense if we think about them, but we probably could never guess the backstory of others. So, let’s “dive in” and explore four commonly used phrases and their origins. Raining Cats and Dogs When you hear someone say, “It’s raining cats and dogs,” this comes from when houses had straw roofs with no wood underneath. Animals would burrow into the straw roof to stay warm. The roof became slippery when it rained, and the animals would fall off. It would “rain cats and dogs.” This phrase is now used to describe heavy and abrupt rainfall and sometimes bad weather in general. Dirt Poor The phrase “dirt poor” is just an extreme way to call someone poor. As simple as this sounds, though, it comes from a time when many poor people had only dirt floors and were thus considered “dirt poor.”
would ask the patient to bite down on a bullet to distract them from the pain. The first recorded use of the phrase was in 1891 in a Rudyard Kipling novel, “The Light That Failed.” Break the Ice When you “break the ice,” you remove tension from a first or uncomfortable meeting. Before road transportation was common, ships were the only means of transportation and trade. At times, the ships would get stuck during the winter because of ice formation. The receiving country would send small ships to “break the ice” to clear a way for the trade ships. This gesture showed affiliation and understanding between two territories — similar to how the phrase is used today.
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TAKE A BREAK
Coffee Lovers, Look No Further
ARBOR ARIES
BASEBALL CHERRIES CHOCOLATE DAISY DIAMOND ENVIRONMENT GARDEN KITE
The History of Your Favorite Break- Time Treat
In 1902, the Barcolo Manufacturing Company in Buffalo, New York, implemented a 10-minute break for its employees in the morning and afternoon. The goal was to provide workers
RAINBOW SHOWERS
with an opportunity to enjoy tea or coffee with a snack. After the break, workers were ready for more time on the job, filled and caffeinated.
Craveable Carrot Cake
Not coincidentally, the first vacuum-sealed coffee grounds were released around 1900, making coffee accessible during short breaks, and more companies started offering breaks. A 1955 court case, The United States v. Phil Greinetz of Los Wigwam Weavers, cemented the break into law. Greinetz was the owner of the Los Wigwam Weavers tie factory and struggled to find staff after World War II. He introduced mandatory coffee breaks so workers could get a boost to make it through the day. The problem? He wouldn’t pay the workers for their mandatory coffee break. So, the U.S. Department of Labor stepped in and won the workers paid breaks as they had a positive effect on the business. As time has passed, coffee breaks have evolved from a pragmatic solution in the industrial era to a worldwide phenomenon about more than just a moment to consume caffeine. It has become a social ritual, fostering camaraderie among colleagues and providing a space for informal conversations. These breaks have become a catalyst for creativity and collaboration, so enjoy this cherished cultural staple, especially if you work alongside coworkers in an office space.
Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 1 tsp baking soda • 1 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/4 tsp nutmeg • 1/2 tsp salt • 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil • 4 large eggs • 3 cups grated carrots • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) • Cream cheese frosting (optional)
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan. 3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. 4. In a large bowl, beat together sugar, oil, and eggs. 5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until blended. 6. Stir in carrots and walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan. 7. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 8. Cool in pan before serving. (For extra decadence, spread with cream cheese frosting once the cake cools.)
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33 Market Point Drive Greenville, SC 29607 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Hidden Costs of Distracted Driving
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How to Clear Your Mind With Essential Oils
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How Common Phrases Found Their Voice
Craveable Carrot Cake
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The Birth of the Coffee Break
Thrive Amidst Social Security Adjustments
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Secure Your Future for Peak 65 Strategies for Dealing With Social Security Reductions
More people have reached 65 this year than ever before. And by 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be at retirement age. This large influx of retirees will substantially impact many Americans, not just boomers and Gen Xers. When Social Security was first implemented, the average life expectancy was 20 years lower than it is now, and Social Security simply doesn’t have enough funding to cover the “silver tsunami” of baby boomers now retiring. The Social Security Administration estimates that the fund will pay 100% of benefits until 2033. Anything beyond 2033 is uncertain, as policymakers have yet to introduce a comprehensive plan. Moreover, the number of contributors to the program — younger workers — isn’t keeping up with the increasing numbers
of new Social Security beneficiaries. No matter how Congress proposes to shore up the system, it will have challenges. With this situation in mind, retirees need long-term financial strategies going forward. The best way to surmount these challenges is through clever investment. • Dividend Stocks Over Bonds: Dividend equities are more tenacious in the face of inflation than bonds, as some companies adjust their dividends to compensate for it.
• Make a Tax Plan: Tax breaks from 2017 expire in 2024 and 2025, so planning ahead is essential. These benefits may be extended but now is the best time to start saving. While retirees may face uncertain monthly payments from Social Security, it’s possible to supplement income through other avenues. Even in a volatile market, you can make wise investment choices to help weather Social Security issues. The best thing to do is speak with a professional about your retirement goals and options.
• Annuities: Annuities, generally
paid by life insurance companies, can bolster your income during the impending retirement crisis. There are many types of annuities, so it’s best to speak to a professional before investing.
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