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“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou The new year is a time for reflection on last year’s successes, failures, and all the in-betweens that make up everyday life. But the new year also allows us to turn the page on last year and look forward to a fresh start and good things to come. It’s a new beginning, another chance to learn and grow. Some don’t take the new year so seriously. Mark Twain said: “Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough.” And regarding resolutions, actress Nia Vardalos said: “My New Year’s resolution list usually starts with the desire to lose between 10 and 3,000 pounds.” But on Jan. 1, when the ball has dropped, the singing stops, and the champagne glasses are empty, most of us will do some real soul-searching about the new year. On the physical side, we want to be healthier: lose weight, exercise more, eat better, stop smoking, etc. The list of flaws and vices we need to fix seems endless. On the personal improvement side, we want to get organized, travel more, save more money, learn a new skill or hobby, or spend more time with family and friends. Whatever the resolution, it’s all about doing things better and becoming better people.
How about another resolution, not centered on ourselves? How about a resolution to make others feel better? Back to Maya Angelou’s quote: “People will forget what you said.” We’ve all heard the old saying that “talk is cheap.” Lots of people do lots of talking, and talk is empty without action. “People forget what you did.” I don’t totally agree with Angelou on this one. I think we do remember when people did something for us or to us. But it’s not necessarily the thing they did that we remember. And that leads us to the last part of her quote: “People will never forget how you made them feel.” We all know from personal experience that this is spot-on. How do you make others feel good in the new year? The Babylonians would return borrowed objects. The Scots go “first footing,” visiting neighbors to wish them well. In Mexico, families gather to make tamales and then hand them out to loved ones on New Year’s Eve. Examples are infinite. But making someone feel good can be as simple as finding common ground in what is so often a divisive world. Point out your similarities – shared hobbies and histories or common interests. Or, the simplest but sometimes hardest thing of all, give someone your time to make them feel better – play a game, watch a movie, help with some chores, or just sit and listen when someone needs an ear. So, mixed in with your resolutions this year, add one or two that would make others feel good. The goal of all our resolutions is to make ourselves happier, and we’ll all be happier if we also resolve to be better to others.
Here’s to a happy, healthy, and successful new year.
P.S. The photo is of my grandson, Jack, who just celebrated his 1st birthday. One of my ongoing resolutions is to leave the world a better place for him.
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Hey Alexa, Am I Sick?
A NEW HEALTH APP IN THE WORKS
You might be able to tell when you’re getting sick just by talking — your voice may sound raspy or strained. You can gain insight into a person based on their speech. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health are developing an app that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to determine if you’re ill — all by studying the voice. Voice data is being collected in five areas of health concerning neurological, voice, mood, respiratory, and pediatric disorders. The team of experts hopes to obtain 30,000 voice samples to improve the accuracy and algorithm of the app so it can diagnose multiple kinds of health conditions and disorders. Dr. Yael Bensoussan, the director of the University of South Florida’s Health Voice Center and the leading researcher on the study, stated that vocal vibrations and breathing patterns can provide tons of information about your overall health. For example, if someone were to speak low and slow, it could be a sign of Parkinson’s disease. Scientists even think they can diagnose depression or cancer by analyzing and studying a person’s voice.
So, how would this app work? According to Fox 13 in Tampa, you can speak into your phone, and the app will record your voice and cross-examine it with its voice collection database. While this may be new to some, researchers in Australia developed a voice screening app that can detect Parkinson’s disease and COVID-19. But what makes Dr. Bensoussan’s study and app different than her competitors is that she aims to keep data privacy at the forefront of her research. Scientists and researchers on the team are excited about the future and how this app will help millions of people. Dr. Oliver Elemento, a co-investigator and director of the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, told Fox 13 that “future findings could lead to a revolution in health care, where continuous voice monitoring could alert physicians earlier than currently possible to certain conditions.”
It’s important to note that this app is in the early stages of development and is not a total replacement for a medical professional. If you need medical assistance, please visit your doctor!
5 Unique Resolutions for 2023
Each year, people establish the same resolutions over and over. Often, their goals are mainstream, unrealistic, or too broad. Ultimately, they give up on them after a few calendar pages have been flipped. So for 2023, why not choose a resolution with some creativity and value behind it?
and is a great thing to focus on in 2023. This doesn’t mean you have to rub elbows with everyone at local events — start by just saying yes the next time a friend invites you
out for coffee.
Improve your confidence. Confidence is huge! When you have a confident attitude, people pick up on it making it easier for your voice to be heard, to get ahead in your career, and mingle with others. Building confidence takes time, but with the proper mindset, you’ll be well on your way. Be more polite. In today’s world, it seems that politeness often goes out the window. An excellent resolution for the new year is to practice good manners and kindness, especially in situations where you’d rather be biting someone’s head off. Be more self-reliant. With smartphones, tablets, and laptops, the answers to everything are always at our fingertips. In the new year, it’s a great goal to be a little more independent instead of resorting to Google or a friend all the time.
Here are some ideas for a resolution you’ll be motivated to stick with.
Focus on passion. Sure, setting out to lose weight or to eat healthier is a great way to improve yourself, but what about combining your resolution with something you enjoy? If you love to read, consider reading a book every two weeks. If the kitchen is your happy place, you can take a cooking class or try a new recipe each week. Meet new people. Forming new relationships is extremely beneficial to your mental health and well-being
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Last month, we experienced some of the shortest days of the year. On Dec. 21, the winter solstice occurred, and the Northern Hemisphere was tilted the farthest away from the sun, resulting in the shortest day of the year. Today, the days are still short as it continues to get dark fairly early in the evening — sometimes, it’s dark outside before you walk in the front door after a long day of work! With such short and dark days, we are reminded of the value of a single day and that we should take advantage of every day we have here on earth. So, how can we make the most of each day? Let’s take a look! Be present. In all you do, be present, and not just physically. Pay attention to the moment without distraction. When you’re at a family dinner, stay off your phone, turn off the television, and take the time to pay attention to those surrounding you. If you’re eating your favorite meal, take the time to enjoy each bite and savor the flavors. Get moving. Exercise is not just important physically, but it is mentally liberating. It releases endorphins, your feel-good hormones, builds confidence, and relieves stress. The best part is that you don’t need an intense workout to reap the benefits — all it takes is a pleasant stroll or a light jog! Chase your dreams. Setting goals and chasing your dreams gives you a purpose and helps you to maintain motivation. Better yet, working to achieve your goals helps you to wake up each morning ready to tackle the day. Seeing progress every day is exciting! Let go. Learning to let go of grudges and to forgive is difficult. Still, it helps to release negativity and to truly place value in each day; it’s not worth wasting our time being resentful — forgiving and forgetting breeds happiness. What are your favorite ways to make the most of each day? Every day, make sure to hug a friend, enjoy your meals, and embrace the comfort of others. Life is short — make the most of it! Making It Count 4 Ways to Make the Most of Each Day
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Helpful Resources • Is your estate plan up to date? Ask us about our FREE Estate Planning Checkup. Call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com.
• Don’t miss Glenn on “Senior Law
Radio,” WHMI FM 93.5 every Sunday at 8 a.m. You can also listen live (or to previous shows) on WHMI.com.
• Questions about your money? Do you need help with your financial goals, investment management, or retirement planning? Glenn has partnered with his personal financial advisor, Brad Jerome, to bring expert financial services to our clients. Brad meets with you right in our office — no cost, no obligation, and no pressure. Just an opportunity to discuss your goals with a top-notch financial advisor to see where your path might lead. You can reach Brad directly at 517.301.3070. • Let us be your trusted advisor for all your legal matters. We have grown with the referrals we receive from our clients. We want to return the favor by helping you find a great attorney outside the field of estate planning, elder law, and probate. Our clients often call us in need of an attorney who focuses on personal injury, auto accidents, elder and nursing home abuse, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, and many other areas. To get the best results, you need an experienced attorney to help. If you want a referral, call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com. We are glad to help!
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What’s Inside? 1 Do More for Others in 2023
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Can AI Determine if You’re Sick?
5 Unique Resolutions for the New Year
Make Each Day Count
Helpful Resources
3 Unique Winter Activities to Experience
Check Out These 3 Unique Activities
Throughout winter, we have the opportunity to participate in many
hop aboard a snowmobile and ride the same path as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race or visit some beautiful mountains and glaciers. Many of these tours will lead you right past moose, bears, and caribou as you take in the beauty of Alaska’s environment. Skating on Mirror Lake at Lake Placid Lake Placid, New York, had the privilege of hosting the Winter Olympics twice, so it’s no surprise they have some amazing cold weather activities to showcase. A truly exceptional experience is skating on Mirror Lake. They have a 2-mile- long ice track where you can test your speed and areas for people to skate openly or play a game of ice hockey. You can even participate in dog sledding there. It’s a beautiful area filled with various winter activities. Ice Fishing Excursions in Brainerd, Minnesota While fishing might be more commonly known as a spring or summer activity, you can get plenty of fishing done in the winter if you know where to go. Brainerd is considered one of the best places to visit for ice fishing enthusiasts. There are over 300 fishing lakes near the city, and you can expect to catch bluegill, walleye, largemouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike, and many others. If you like to fish throughout the year, check out Brainerd.
activities that are only possible during this season. We can ski, snowboard, snowshoe, sled, and more. While some people fly south for winter vacations to escape the cold weather, others travel to extraordinary winter destinations within our country. Plenty of options are available if you’re looking for a truly unique experience this winter. Here are three winter activities that will leave you with long-lasting memories. Snowmobile Tours in Alaska Alaska is one of America’s hidden gems, even though it’s the biggest U.S. state. If you’re looking for unique winter experiences, you’ll want to visit Alaska. One of the coolest adventures you can experience is a snowmobile tour. You can
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