Check out our May newsletter!
www.PhyllisLaw.com | 404.514.3397
Protecting Bright Futures
MAY 2019
Bright Futures Bulletin
April Showers BringMay Flowers
“April showers bring may flowers.” We all know the poem references good things to follow bad, but do we really embrace the proverb in the face of adversity? Most do not. Instead, we tend to be too hard on ourselves. I was 40 years old before I really understood that mistakes are opportunities for growth. Every time I got a bad grade, lost a tennis match, or disappointed my parents, I felt enormous guilt and disappointment in myself. I viewed failure as a character flaw. I valued perfectionism. I realize now that I was reluctant to try new things because I feared failure. Who knows where I’d be now if I hadn’t taken myself so seriously all those years? I still believe we must all be accountable for our actions. Every action has a consequence, and that is something we must accept. But it is not necessary to punish ourselves beyond the natural consequence. Instead, we should be quick to learn from our mistakes; deal with the consequences; and move on with life, armed with our new knowledge to do better. This perception of failure is not a license to slack off and coast through life. It’s quite the opposite. It’s an opportunity to reach for the stars, knowing and accepting that you will fall short many times but realizing that the attempt is the victory. At PhyllisLaw.com, we are in the business of protecting people who make mistakes. We manage the consequences of bad choices and help people move past their mistakes onto something better. Many of our clients are young adults and teenagers whose brains are not yet fully developed and are particularly susceptible to making poor decisions.
Often for our clients, part of living with the consequences involves several steps in exchange for dismissal of the charges. Some clients complete a diversion program whereby they receive education and/or treatment for substance abuse or other harmful behaviors; others complete community service. We believe the consequences of getting arrested, hiring a lawyer, coming to court multiples times, and completing diversion terms are enough punishment for first-time offenders. When we prevent criminal convictions, our clients have a much better chance of success in their future. Everyone deserves to earn that second chance. • Hollywood actor and producer Bradley Cooper was arrested at age 15 for underage drinking. • NBA player Caron Butler was arrested 15 times as a juvenile. • Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps was arrested at age 19 for underage drinking and DUI. • Pro wrestler turned actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was arrested eight times before age 16. • Bill Gates was arrested at 19 for speeding and driving without a license. We all face failure. The important thing is what we choose to do about it. Follow the advice of the late great Johnny Cash (arrested seven times): “You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.” Everyone makes mistakes. It’s part of life. Even highly successful people. Consider the following:
At PhyllisLaw.com, we are in the business of protecting people
who make mistakes. ”
–Phyllis Gingrey Collins
1
www.PhyllisLaw.com | 404.514.3397
Published by The Newsletter Pro www.TheNewsletterPro.com
Is Your TeenWatching Twitch? What Parents Need to KnowAbout This Media Platform
Privity of Contract For many parents, the idea of watching someone else play a video game sounds incredibly dull. But as the rise of the streaming site Twitch.tv has shown, young people love cheering on their favorite gaming broadcasters — to the tune of 140 million monthly viewers. Many of those tuning in are teenagers, and a survey by theWashington Post found that over half of the participants ages 14–20 watch at least some streamed video game content. If your teen is one of these viewers, here’s what you need to know. Twitch Is Live Twitch differs from video sites like YouTube because the content is being broadcast live. This means it can’t be filtered as reliably, and even the most family-
Privity of contract: While the title may seem stuffy and technical, this legal concept could rescue those facing lawsuits over old credit card debts. Consider this: You open a credit card with Credit Card Company ABC. After some time, you are unable to afford the minimum payment. Debt Purchaser XYZ swoops in and buys the debt from Credit Card ABC “as is” for pennies on the dollar. ABC gets paid by XYZ, and they no longer have a legal interest in the debt. Relentless XYZ will now harass you in an attempt to collect maximum return. Privity of contract is a legal concept stating that a contract cannot confer rights or impose obligations upon any person who is not a party to the contract. XYZ debt buyer may not be able to validate privity of contract with you because they bought the debt fromABC “as is.” In court, XYZ would be required to present documentation of the original agreement between you and Credit Card Company ABC in order to sue you or to add interest or attorneys’ fees onto the amount owed. Additionally, XYZ must prove “standing,” a legal requirement showing they have an interest in the case. XYZ must prove it legally owns your debt. XYZ is required to produce documents showing the debt was either assigned to them or purchased by them. Again, ABC may not cooperate because they have sold the debt “as is” and do not stand to make any more Twitch Broadcasters Solicit Donations While Twitch is free to watch (with ads), the site allows viewers to donate to their favorite broadcasters directly or become paid subscribers. Many broadcasters offer subscriber-only streams, shoutouts, and other bonus content that can make it tempting for impressionable viewers to open their wallets (or friendly broadcasters might slip in the occasional swear word or make an inappropriate comment. There is also a live chat feature, meaning your teen can communicate with anyone watching the same stream. This feature can be switched off, but it’s still a good idea to talk to your teen about online safety and the importance of not revealing personal information to strangers.
those of their parents). It’s best to make sure your teen’s account isn’t tied to any bank information.
money off the debt. Even when XYZ has some documentation to present, admitting those documents into evidence presents a challenge. These types of documents must be properly authenticated. Without the cooperation of ABC, that can be very difficult. You may be wondering why in the world companies like XYZ would buy old debts if they cannot prevail in court. Good question. Most debtors are not aware of these legal concepts and blindly pay the debt. It’s a numbers game for companies like XYZ. Although they lose on some cases, ultimately they are profitable because most people just pay. Companies like XYZ are highly skilled collection agents who engage in fear tactics and verbal abuse to ensure individuals pay. You may also be asking, “Shouldn’t I pay the money that I owe?” You must remember that the amount borrowed is always far less than the amount the companies are seeking for repayment, which usually includes interest, late fees, and attorneys’ fees. Many people have long since paid what they originally borrowed once it gets to this point of litigation. Here’s the bottom line: If you are in a situation where you are unable to pay an old debt, there may be a way to avoid it. Take advantage of the law. Consult us at PhyllisLaw.com to see if you have any alternative options. WhyYour TeenWatches Twitch There are many reasons teens watch Twitch streams. If they are into competitive video games like “Fortnite” or “Apex Legends,” they maywant to watch skilled streamers to pick up tips and tricks. They could be a fan of an esports team and want to root them on during streamed tournaments, just like you would a football or basketball team. They may even just want to get a feel for what a game is like before they decide to spend their allowance on it. Talking to your teen about the kinds of streams they watch can help you better understand what they get from this new form of media.
2
www.PhyllisLaw.com | 404.514.3397
SUDOKU BREAK Solution on pg. 4
The Heart of Marietta 75-Year-Old Veterinary Clinic Serves Families inMarietta Growing up, Dr. Sean Carder turned his compassion for animals into action by regularly volunteering at several animal clinics, including The Veterinary Clinic in Marietta, Georgia. When Dr. Carder graduated from veterinary school in the mid- 1990s, he returned with an extensive education to put his passion to work. “[Animal] medicine is very challenging,” Dr. Carder says. “You have to try and diagnose and interpret these signs without these pets talking to you … There are never two days alike, and there are never two cases that are the same. We’re always learning.” In 2001, Dr. Sean Carder bought The Veterinary Clinic and became partners with Dr. Ashley Mazza, Dr. BradWilson, and Jayne Hawkins. The clinic has since grown to three locations: one in downtown Marietta, another near The AvenueWest, and a third onWhitlock Avenue. The Veterinary Clinic offers wellness exams, microchipping procedures, dental care, laser therapies, on-site surgeries, X-rays, ultrasounds, and exotic pet care, including boarding and grooming. Offering this dedicated level of care is important to Dr. Carder and his team, especially as many people value their pets as family. “[The progression has] just been miraculous,” Dr. Carder says. “That bond has really grown and changed in the last 20 years. Pets are part of the family.”
Shrimp Sausage Skewers
Inspired by PaleoLeap.com
Ingredients
•
1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 pound cooked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces • 2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Dr. Carder and his team support this special bond that Phyllis Gingrey Collins of PhyllisLaw.com shares with her family’s three dogs. They have been loyal patients of
Creole Seasoning Ingredients
The Veterinary Clinic since Dr. Carder began practicing in 1997, and since then, their families have become close; their kids are friends, and they attend church together. At the clinic, Dr. Carder has supported Phyllis’ family through many tough decisions, including the decision to put one dog down. Dr. Carder says he understands how difficult this decision can be, but he reminds owners it’s one of the most loving decisions they make when nothing else can be done.
• • • • • •
2 tablespoons paprika
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon cayenne or chili powder
1/4 tablespoon dried oregano 1/4 tablespoon dried thyme
Directions
1. Heat your grill to medium high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces, and cover them with the olive oil. 4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all ingredients are covered. 5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well-cooked (6–8 minutes).
Phyllis says she couldn’t have imagined getting through this process without Dr. Carder’s support. “He’s very compassionate,” she says. “He was there shepherding us. He always takes the time to talk to every owner and really get to know their animals and make sure the animals are comfortable with him.” Together with his hardworking team at the clinic, Dr. Carder says he is proud to continue the clinic’s mission to provide the highest quality veterinary care, customer service, and work environment. For more information on The Veterinary Clinic, call 770.428.3381 or visit TheVeterinaryClinic.net.
3
www.PhyllisLaw.com | 404.514.3397
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
www.PhyllisLaw.com | 404.514.3397 278 N. Marietta Pkwy NE | Marietta, GA 30060
Solution from pg. 3
Inside This Issue
April Showers Bring May Flowers 1
Is Your TeenWatching Twitch?
Navigate Old Credit Card Debt 2
Business Spotlight: The Veterinary Clinic
Shrimp Sausage Skewers 3
What Is theWorld’s Best Exercise? 4
TheWorld’s Best Exercise
Not all exercises are created equal. In fact, there is one form of exercise that is better than many others: walking. Harvard Medical School took a look at various exercises and concluded that walking is up there with swimming and tai chi in terms of health benefits.
Regular walking can help maintain good cholesterol and blood pressure levels and keep your bones strong and healthy. One study showed that 40 minutes of walking every day helped people reduce blood pressure from hypertension to prehypertension, and then eventually to normal over several months. Walking can even keep many different kinds of diseases at bay, such as diabetes and heart disease. In addition to these physical benefits, walking daily can improve your mood and overall mental health. As simple and straightforward as walking is, it can be difficult for many people to find the time. Most experts agree that you need 30–60 minutes of physical activity per day, but the good news is that you can split those minutes up throughout your day. For example, you can take a brisk 20-minute walk in the morning
before work, followed by another one at lunch and one more after dinner. Those 60 minutes also don’t have to be strenuous; they just need to happen. However, the more time you invest in walking, the more you will get out of it. If you slowly increase your distance and speed, you’ll end up burning more calories and strengthening your legs over time. The great thing about walking is that it’s not particularly taxing on the knees, and you can move at your own pace. It doesn’t get any better than that! To get the most out of walking, schedule your walks for after mealtimes, especially the ones that come later in the day, like lunch and dinner. It’s a great way to aid digestion and burn calories — which can’t hurt your waistline!
4
www.PhyllisLaw.com | 404.514.3397
Published by The Newsletter Pro www.TheNewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter