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N ovember 2022
H elping D ecide
How the Story Ends
I find it indisputable that we’re at a threshold in human history. Climate change is the greatest existential threat our species has ever faced, and life is already altering rapidly. We can expect even more drastic developments in the coming years, some far beyond what most people anticipate. I’ve been captivated by climate change since the 1980s, and as I sit down to write this article at the end of August, the news doesn’t look good. Due to the melting ice cap in Greenland, scientists recently declared we can no longer prevent a significant sea level rise. Water will rise by at least 10 inches, impacting billions of people who live in coastal regions. One-third of Pakistan is flooded, displacing more than 30 million people. And flooding combined with years of systemic neglect of infrastructure has made the water undrinkable for residents of Jackson, Mississippi. We’re also in a political climate where some people are working to abolish democracy in the United States. Those efforts might only intensify as more climate refugees arrive at our borders due to humanitarian crises. If our shining city on the hill dims, what will it mean for the rest of the world? We all know the saying, “May you live in interesting times.” It’s considered a curse, but for better or worse; I would guess we’re living in the most interesting times in human history up to this point. The question is what we’re going to do. If I were an alien in outer space, this moment on Earth would be fascinating. I’d want to have a ridiculous amount of popcorn because, whatever happens, this will be one of the greatest stories to ever unfold. But I can’t sit back and pretend to be a
viewer. I’m a character in this existential play, as are all of us. Though frightening, it’s also an opportunity to have an influence.
We have reasons to be optimistic. One of them is the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. I agree with those who say the new law isn’t sufficient for our long-term survival, but I also think it’s fantastic as a next step. It’s challenging for people to wrap their heads around what changes we’ll need to make. The law will lower our emissions, and it’s a way to start changing public perceptions of what is possible and how we can respond to climate change. States are acting, too. California has banned the sale of gas cars by 2035, and other states require all new vehicles to produce zero emissions by that time. I’m excited that more people are making a realistic assessment of what this challenge will demand in terms of consciousness, cooperation, and collective efforts. I can imagine a country where the water is clear, the air is clean, and we don’t have environmental waste zones surrounding high-poverty areas. I hope you can, too. To keep progressing, we must protect our right to one-person, one-vote, and elect representatives who will make the changes we want to see. The more people that can vote, the more egalitarian our melting pot society will become, and the more we can fix things. I believe we can do it. Yes, we still have dark forces trying to hold us back — but they’re all part of what makes a good story. –Michael Manely 1
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W hy D o I C onstantly T hink A bout T his ? HOW TO MANAGE INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS
WHAT CAN YOU DO? Instead of pushing these thoughts out of your mind, acknowledge that they are intrusive concepts and allow them to linger. Understand they will pass, but prepare yourself for other unwanted thoughts. Most importantly, push through and continue to complete your tasks and errands when the thoughts occur. If you try to control, suppress, question, act, or engage with intrusive thoughts, you’ll likely be even more fixated on them. You’ll feel more in control if you allow them to pass through your brain instead of trying to avoid and ignore them. Intrusive thoughts can feel distressing, but allowing them to freely enter and exit your mind will provide you with ease — even if it doesn’t seem that way. However, if intrusive ideas persist and continually impair your ability to work or do things you enjoy, seek information from a mental health professional. You’re never alone in your struggles, so don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
Many people deal with unwelcome, intrusive thoughts every day. We’ve all experienced unwanted images or notions racing through our minds, and it can be difficult to concentrate on what we need to be doing. These thoughts can also trigger feelings of anxiety, worry, and shame. But know you’re not alone — some estimate that 6 million Americans are affected, so many can empathize with what you’re going through. Here is some good advice about intrusive thoughts and how to manage them in a healthy way. WHAT ARE INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS? Intrusive thoughts are unwanted ideas that occur without warning at any time, often triggered by stress or anxiety, or even short-term biological factors, like hormone shifts. They can come in many forms, and people often worry about what they mean, so naturally, they try to control or stop the ideas altogether. But trying to prohibit these thoughts can make them more persistent.
H appy to H elp Meet Sydney Cumbee
Paralegal Sydney Cumbee had her heart set on becoming a nurse but realized partway into her education that it wasn’t the right fit. With her plans shattered, Sydney’s parents helped her sort through the courses that could help her graduate. They urged her to try Criminal Justice 101, and after a childhood growing up watching “Murder, She Wrote,” she decided to give it a shot. “I fell in love with it the first day of class,” Sydney remembers. “But after a few courses, I realized I was more interested in the law than policing.” She got her first job as a legal assistant in 2018 and became a paralegal soon after in 2019. While Sydney dreamed of working in family law, she found her first job in bankruptcy before moving on to evictions and, later, collections. But she never had plans to stay in those fields permanently and continued looking for family law opportunities. Sydney joined The Manely Firm in November 2021, and she loved the work immediately. “I feel so satisfied helping people. With bankruptcy, eviction, and collections, my job was mostly sad — we were taking a person’s whole life away,” Sydney says. “But now working on adoptions is such a happy process.
And even with divorces, your clients are whole new people once they reach the outcome.” A self-professed “military brat,” Sydney has been living in Georgia for 15 years. But she also spends plenty of time in Indiana, where her new husband’s family lives. The two got married in October, and they visit almost every other weekend. Sydney’s father makes the process a little easier. “My dad’s a pilot, so we get a lot of air mileage when we don’t feel like driving,” she says. In her spare time, Sydney enjoys spending time with her French bulldog Bonnie and volunteering with MUST Ministries. “People who go to the shelter get a month’s worth of food, and they help you find jobs, let you pick out clothing, and help you build your resume when you’re out of a job,” Sydney says. “It’s a really great organization, and I’ve been volunteering since I was 18 or 19.” During the week, she feels right at home at The Manely Firm. “When I started, everyone welcomed me with open arms,” Sydney said. “I’ve been happy since day one here. This job is like a dream come true.”
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“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.” –H elen K eller
A pple C ranberry C risp
B eyond B orders How everyone will spend the holidays is often a contentious issue in custody disputes. That is truly the case when international visitation is involved. Having your child in a different house for Christmas or Hanukkah is one thing, but another country can feel like an entirely different matter. Thankfully, the U.S. is the only country that celebrates Thanksgiving when we do. So, the child will naturally celebrate that holiday with the American parent. Right? In many cases, yes. But in others, the different holiday schedules across countries complicate matters. An American parent may want their child to be with them for Thanksgiving, but that might be tricky if the child lives abroad. They’ll likely have school — unless a holiday in their primary country of residence happens to coincide with Thanksgiving. If it does, it poses a new problem of which holiday takes precedence. Noncustodial parents who live abroad will have similar issues. Other countries have countless holidays we don’t celebrate, some involving extensive time off work and school. Chinese New Year may matter deeply to the noncustodial parent, but the child probably won’t be available to celebrate it. It’s especially troublesome because parents often want to make the most of their time away from work by spending it with their children. Matters get even more interesting when we consider countries south of the equator. In South America, Africa, and Australia, their winter takes place during our summer and vice versa. Children with parents in different countries typically spend their summer vacations with the noncustodial parent, so whichever way the kid heads, there will be an adjustment. Unfortunately, the noncustodial parent may not be able to spend as much time with their child as they could have if the seasons lined up. So, how do we handle these challenges? Simply put, everyone should try to be flexible. These conflicts aren’t anyone’s fault, and both parents only want to spend meaningful time with their kids. Co-parents must be mindful of the differences and adjust their expectations accordingly. It’s even more important to be creative. You can let the different holiday schedules ruin the event or find ways to work beyond the limitations. Even if you need to celebrate Thanksgiving late or turn summer vacation into a ski trip, you can still make the most of your time together. INTERNATIONAL VISITATION AND HOLIDAYS
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
I ngredients
•
3 cups peeled and chopped tart apples
• • • • •
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• •
1 1/2 cups cranberries
3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided
1/3 cup butter, cold
Vanilla ice cream (optional)
D irections 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, 1/4 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. 3. Grease an 8-inch baking dish and pour the mixture into it. 4. In a small bowl, mix flour and the remaining brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle this over the fruit. 5. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
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Reflecting on Unprecedented Times
A Healthy Way to Manage Intrusive Thoughts Meet Paralegal Sydney Cumbee! Coordinating International Visitation Apple Cranberry Crisp
All This for Cheese?
A ll T his for a T ruckle of C heese ? W hat I s C heese R olling ?
During the spring, the southwest part of England hosts one of the strangest sports each year — cheese rolling. People worldwide travel to watch and participate as contestants launch themselves down a hill in pursuit of a round of cheese. But how did this sport come to be? It’s kind of a mystery. No one really knows the origins of cheese rolling. For as long as the locals can remember, the sport has always been there. Several theories attempt to explain how the sport came about. One theory states that the competition started in the 15th century, and racing down the hill was a way to establish grazing rights on the commons. Others say the game has a pagan origin, where people would throw bundles of brushwood down the hill to represent the new year once winter ends. Although its roots are unknown, locals have kept score since the 1970s and watched it gain in popularity over the years. WHAT ARE THE RULES? Competitors begin the race at the top of Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucester, which slopes downward at an almost 90-degree angle. Then, when the master of ceremonies tells you to go, you launch yourself down the mountain. The first person to grab the 8-pound wheel of double cream Gloucester (which has never been done before) or cross the finish line at the bottom (about 200 yards) will win the race and the cheese.
is at your own risk: Many people suffer severe injuries because you’re going down the hill at speeds reaching 70 mph.
The sport has gained many fans over the years — around 15,000 attendees come to view the spectacle annually. The media attention further spreads the interest and popularity of cheese rolling. Many YouTube channels cover the sport, and a Netflix show titled “We Are the Champions” has an episode covering the sport and how competitors train.
You don’t need to meet any criteria or fill out any paperwork to participate. Simply arrive at the top of the hill before the race begins, and you’re all set. But participating
Can you believe all of this excitement and fame over a truckle of cheese?
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