Check out our March newsletter!
FAMILY FORUM
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MARCH 2020
How Our Mindsets Shape Our Lives
S pring is finally here again! I don’t know about you, but all winter long, Genet and I have been looking forward to resuscitating our vegetable garden. Last spring, my good friend, Jason Pacheco, invested weeks of time and labor with me to custom-build an enclosed raised garden bed in my backyard, and I’ve been hooked on gardening ever since. (Thank you, Jason!) Over these last few years, I’ve picked up completely new hobbies that have significantly enriched my life and given me new appreciation for things that I previously knew very little about. I’ve come to understand that our beliefs (the stories we tell ourselves about
Genet has said she has a fixed mindset. She knows exactly what she’s good at and takes pride in staying in those lanes. If you need something organized or written well, or if you need specific tasks accomplished, she will put significant effort into completing them effectively. At the same time, she hesitates to take on certain tasks she feels are outside the scope of the strengths she recognizes in herself. Until very recently, I also would have said I have a fixed mindset. I would have told you that there are certain things I’m good at, and those are the things I prefer to do when given the choice. But recently, I’ve experienced a shift toward having more of a growth mindset.
This all started two years ago, when Genet and I stayed at a hotel with nice art hanging on the walls. I looked at the
ourselves, such as who we are, what we can do, and how we want to live our lives) matter a great deal to our personal growth. Much of the research on personal growth mindsets comes from Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, who wrote the 2006 bestseller, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.” According to Dweck, each of us manifests one of two mindsets from an early age: fixed or growth.
paintings and thought, “I want to do that.” So, on the drive back home, we stopped and bought some painting supplies, and I began watching dozens of YouTube videos teaching me how to paint. At that time, my
only hobbies were working out and playing basketball.
Before that day, I’d never even picked up a paintbrush before, and here I was spending hours painting landscapes in the garage. (Genet was really shocked!) Somehow,
Someone with a fixed mindset views their character, intelligence, and creative ability as fixed traits that do not change, and thus, this person steers away from cultivating new facets in those categories. Meanwhile, someone with a growth mindset believes that with effort and patience, they can cultivate new facets of their character, intelligence, and creative ability, and they attempt this without fear of failure. I love this quote from Dweck’s book: “When you enter a mindset, you enter a new world. In one world — the world of fixed traits — success is about proving you’re smart or talented. Validating yourself. In the other — the world of changing qualities — it’s about stretching yourself to learn something new. Developing yourself.”
what fueled me more than how I thought the painting looked was the fact that I was getting to experience myself in a new light. Developing a growth mindset has given me a new perspective on who I am and who I can be. A few months ago, I wrote a book for the first time. My book is called, “Overboard: How to Avoid Sinking in Your Colorado Family Law Case,” and it provides the reader with helpful strategies to maximize the outcome in their Colorado family law case. Writing “Overboard” was a big undertaking and sacrifice. I’m hopeful it will be a valuable resource for many family law litigants in our community.
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ON NATIONAL MOM AND POP BUSINESS OWNERS DAY Giving Back to Local Companies
March 29 is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, which is huge for small businesses everywhere. Mom-and-pop businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy; Small Business Trends reports that mom-and-pop businesses account for 64% of gross domestic product (GDP) and generate 78% of all new jobs. Furthermore, no matter what turns the economy takes, small-business owners are less likely to lay off their employees than big corporations. Mom-and-pop businesses support all communities, and you can support them by celebrating this unofficial holiday! Shopping locally has a massive impact on your community. Local businesses return three times the amount of money to the local economy than larger corporations do. With that big of a returned investment, your community can support even more small businesses that generate a wealth of jobs and keep the cycle going. In addition to the economic boost, products from small businesses are usually higher quality, which makes them a better value for your dollar. Take this day to shop for birthday and holiday gifts for your loved ones that Give your local economy a boost!
will bring them great joy and last a lifetime.
Get social and spread the word!
While small businesses utilize every form of marketing available,
social media is essential for their success and growth. After shopping at your favorite mom-and-pop business, share that experience on your social media! When you write a post on Facebook or take a picture for Instagram, be sure to tag the business and use relevant hashtags so your friends, family, and everyone else in your community can shop there too. Writing reviews on Google Reviews and Yelp helps establish validity for the company. When another potential customer looks for reviews, they know they’re getting quality products and services from a well-established pillar of the community. The local businesses that are active on social media may post deals and sales for that day only, so keep your eyes peeled and be sure to follow all your favorite businesses!
Spotlight on Paola Garcia, Paralegal
H ave you ever taken a career aptitude test? In the media, these kinds of tests are often the source of a comedic, existential crisis. In real life, these
graduating from CU Denver, she found Johnson Law Group. "Family law really spoke to me,” Paola explained, “because I come from what people call a ‘broken family.’ My parents divorced when I was really young, but I still remember how hard it was on the whole family. At Johnson Law Group, I’m glad I can help people who are in the same situation and help look after what’s best for the kids.”
tests can offer a vision of how one’s strengths and passions can be best utilized in a career path. This was the case with Paola Garcia, a paralegal at Johnson Law Group
Paola especially knows how valuable family bonds are. Every Sunday, her family gets together at her grandmother's house to watch a game during football season (“Go, Colts!”) or just to enjoy each other’s company. As her career develops at Johnson Law Group, Paola looks forward to focusing on helping families move to a more positive chapter in their lives.
When Paola took a career aptitude test in college, the results told her to look into becoming a paralegal, and she hasn't looked back. Paola received her
“Once I've learned more about the law as a paralegal, I want to go back to school and become an attorney. I’ve learned a lot about taking care of clients while at Johnson Law Group. Everyone at the firm goes above and beyond for each client. Every client is a person going through a difficult time in their lives. No client is just a case. They deserve to feel cared for and to know there’s someone working to get them the best possible outcome.”
paralegal associate degree from the Community College of Denver,
and her bachelor's in criminal justice from the University of Colorado Denver. A month after
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I t takes a special kind of person to enjoy spring-cleaning. For most of us, the satisfaction of a clean house doesn’t quite outweigh the hours of scrubbing, sorting, and slogging through heaps of unnecessary stuff. If you’re struggling to find the motivation to start your spring-cleaning, try flipping the paradigm: Instead of spring- cleaning, think of what you’re doing as spring- greening , and make some eco-friendly swaps along the way. Here are a few ideas to get you started. 1. Swap your plastic spray bottles for bulk or DIY cleaning products. According to a Statista report, in 2019, the household cleaners market was worth more than $31 billion, and it’s continuously growing. You can save money on cleaning supplies by taking the green route. When your current stock runs out, try buying bulk cleaners or making your own. Both options will save plastic because you can reuse your bottles, and they can help you avoid the harmful chemicals found in most cleaners. Visit UnderATinRoof.com and read the blog post “Zero Waste Cleaning Supplies + Recipes” to get started. 2. Explore alternative laundry detergents. If you’re used to using a plastic jug of liquid laundry detergent, it’s time to step out of your comfort zone. This spring, try exploring greener alternatives like plant-based bulk laundry powder (Molly’s Suds is an excellent source). Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even try adding all-natural cleaners like soap nuts or English ivy to your laundry loads. For more on the former, search “soap nuts” on 1MillionWomen.com, and read up on ivy detergent at Permacrafters. com/English-Ivy-Laundry-Detergent. 3. Say goodbye to paper towels. Paper towels are a mainstay in American homes, but do we really need them when a good old-fashioned rag can do the job? According to the Ocean Conservancy, 13 billion pounds of paper towels are tossed in the U.S. each year! This spring, quit paper towels and keep a stash of dish rags under the sink to do your dirty work. When you’re cleaning out your closet, you can even cut up old T-shirts and add them to your rag stash! If you’re brave, try giving up tissues, too — an old-school hanky does the trick.
A huge source of our clientele is word of mouth, so we want to take this opportunity to deeply thank the following people for connecting us to people in need of family law services:
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Erin Dziubczynski, Manager of Morton's Restaurant in Denver
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Jonathan Milgrom, Esq. and John Daskam, Esq. of the law firm of Milgrom & Daskam Last but not least, all our former clients who have not only entrusted us with their family's most important legal needs, but have also encouraged others to do the same.
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HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS?
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) - "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
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I should add that when discussing a growth or a fixed mindset, there’s often talk about which one you should have. But there is not necessarily a right mindset. While a growth mindset means someone doesn’t give up when they struggle at new things, it may also cause them to have unrealistic expectations of their own abilities. Meanwhile, having a fixed mindset means you’re well aware of your abilities and can consistently deliver on promises. To be clear, I don’t believe one mindset is necessarily better than the other. Rather, it’s best to have a balance (like many things in life!). If this topic interests you, I encourage you to read “Mindset” to learn not only how our mindsets form but also how we can rewire them for a new perspective on who we are and who we can be. –Myles Johnson
If you’ve made all three of these swaps, don’t stop there! To continue your green journey, visit any of the blogs mentioned above and start browsing.
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INSIDE
Do You Have a Fixed Mindset or a Growth Mindset?
Celebrating National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day
Paola Garcia on Turning Your Passion Into a Career
3 Eco-Friendly Home Swaps to Make During Spring-Cleaning
Referral Shout-Out!
Have You Heard The Good News?
Local Events
ART, COMMUNITY, AND CULTURE
There’s Lots to Do in Denver
‘The SpongeBob Musical’ Where: Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Denver When: March 10–22 Admission: See website for tickets Website: DenverCenter.org/tickets-events Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? You know his name, now see his adventures in a brand-new way. “The SpongeBob Musical'' reimagines Nickelodeon's award-winning series into a bold, original production. Bikini Bottom is in jeopardy and it’s up to SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends to save the day with the power of friendship, cooperation, and community. Get your tickets and see the show Theatermania calls, “nothing short of genius.”
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Where: LoDo, Denver When: Saturday, March 14; 9:30 a.m. Admission: Free
Family Tour: Movement Where: Clyfford Still Museum, Denver When: Wednesday, April 1; 10:30–11:30 a.m. Admission: Free with museum admission Website: ClyffordStillMuseum.org/event Discover how art inspires movement at the Clyfford Still Museum Family Tours. These special events are designed with kids ages 5–10 in mind, empowering them to connect, discover, and create. Each tour includes a unique art project guests can take home. Families are invited to explore the museum like never before, with unique tour themes that will get family members looking, talking, and playing together.
Website: DenverStPatricksDayParade.com You don’t have to fly to Ireland to celebrate in style! One of Colorado’s largest celebrations is the annual Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Get decked out in all green and come out bright and early to catch the big parade. Celebrate the Irish spirit with grand floats, live performances, and lots of fun with your friends and family.
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