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Representing Accident Victims Throughout Florida For Over Four Decades
November 2021
Taking Inspiration From Athletes How the Biggest Names in Sports Motivate Us
Athletes have been at the center stage of entertainment for years now. Basketball players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry have captivated a global audience. They became international stars due to their skills on the court and behavior off the court. Social media has helped grow the influence of many professional athletes while also giving us a peek into their daily routines and their commitment to their careers. There’s certainly a lot that we can learn from professional athletes. As children, we idolize professional athletes because they teach us to reach for the stars. They prove that through hard work and dedication, it is possible to achieve our dreams. As we grow older, many of us realize that we aren’t cut out to play sports professionally. This does not mean that we should stop looking up to athletes as role models. Many of the most dedicated athletes show us that by combining our talents with a strong motivation, we can be successful in our chosen careers.
For me, Tom Brady and Kelly Slater are huge inspirations. Brady has been in the league for over 20 years and is still one of the best there is. Brady is five years older than the next oldest player in the entire league, and he still makes it look easy. Similarly, Slater has been at the top of the surfing game for decades. Even at 49, he was still considered to represent America at the Tokyo Olympics — and was even the first reserve if someone had to bow out. Not only have these athletes stayed ahead of the competition, but they never let their careers feel monotonous. Brady has been throwing a football for over 40 years by now. I’m sure that it gets boring at times. They always find new ways to keep themselves motivated, whether it’s tricking themselves that they’re the underdog or that someone is gunning for their position or title. It’s easy to use their methods to enhance our attitude and productivity in the workplace. Many of us will feel burnt out or fed up with the work we’re doing. It may feel like you come into work and go through the exact same routine every day, so it’s important to find different ways to motivate yourself to stay interested and improve your position. If you’re succeeding more in the workplace, then it’s likely you’ll feel better about your situation. Brady and Slater both find ways to re-energize themselves, and we can find ways to do the same while at work or even in our daily lives. Through social media and sports entertainment news, we have also been given insight into their workout habits. This is something else that we can take motivation from. These are some of the most active people on the planet, and they never waste any of their downtimes. If they have an opportunity to grow stronger or improve their game, they take it. Some of us fail to look after our bodies when we’re working a job that requires us to sit in a chair for 11–12 hours a day. It’s extremely important for business professionals to take care of their minds and bodies as they grow older. Even with age, our fascination with athletes does not need to stop. While we may no longer want to follow in their footsteps on the court, field, or waves, we can still look to them for inspiration elsewhere. Through motivation, dedication, and hard work, we can accomplish just about anything.
–Ryan Wynne
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Overcoming the Impossible Task Improving Your Mental Health One Step at a Time
Almost everyone at some point has encountered a task that is seemingly simple, but no matter what they do, they can’t complete it. These tasks can be as straightforward as making the bed or something bigger, like cleaning an entire room. For many, this is an obstacle that they may want to do but can’t, which weighs heavily on them and becomes detrimental to their mental health. It’s important to understand that the impossible task is not a sign of laziness; depression and anxiety can make any task feel much bigger and more difficult than it actually is. If you find yourself unable to do the things you need or want to do, try these techniques to help overcome your obstacles. Break up the task. When the overarching task feels daunting, breaking it up into smaller segments can help you manage it. If you’re cleaning the kitchen, clean for only a few minutes at a time before taking a break. It might take longer, but the space will be clean at the end of the day. Make the task more enjoyable. Play music or involve your pet in some way to make the task fun or create a reward system for yourself. For example, tidying a specific
area of the house or folding a basket of laundry may earn you time to play video games or watch TV. Alternating tasks and rewards is a great way to overcome any task, big or small. It can help to consider why the task feels so impossible, especially if you used to enjoy it. Try to remember what made it enjoyable and see if you can return to that state of mind. If the objective is not so urgent, determine its importance and if the task can be saved for another day. When all else fails, you can always ask someone for support or even pay someone else to do the task for you. No matter what you decide, there are ways to defeat the impossible task.
Thanksgiving Dinner for All
Alongside family and football, food is often the highlight of Thanksgiving. But if you’re cooking dinner for a large group, crafting the perfect menu can be difficult. Veganism and vegetarianism are more popular than ever, and it can be frustrating finding dishes that everyone can enjoy — or even eat at all, in the case of a diabetic friend or family member. Luckily, there are plenty of options to create an amazing meal for any group of diverse diners. Diabetics Thanksgiving is a stressful time for anyone who monitors their blood sugar. Sweet potato casserole and sugar-packed pies can tempt even the most diet-conscious diabetic. But undereating can be as unhealthy
for diabetics as overeating, so it’s important to include appetizers in your Thanksgiving menu. Healthy options include raw vegetables and hummus, roasted nuts, shrimp cocktail, or a cheeseboard. For the main meal, turkey is fine if you hold off on any brown sugar or honey glaze. Green bean casserole is safe as well, and stuffing can be included as long as you use whole-grain bread. For dessert, parfaits made with Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, and sliced almonds are healthy and tasty and can round out the perfect meal. Vegans The best thing about cooking Thanksgiving for a vegan is that there are plenty of substitutes for classic dishes. Vegan turkeys are available at most grocery stores. It may not look like your traditional turkey since there are no bones, but it still cooks and tastes like a turkey. If a vegan turkey is out of the question, you can try making a mushroom Wellington or roasted cauliflower as a replacement. For side dishes, vegan macaroni and cheese and roasted Brussels sprouts are easy and safe. As for dessert, most grocery stores carry a variety of gluten-free and vegan desserts at their bakery, such as nondairy ice cream and flourless cookies, that taste similar or identical to their gluten-filled, non-vegan counterparts.
The holidays are a great time to come together, and with these options, you can make everyone feel included in the celebration.
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TAKE A BREAK
CAN YOU LEGALLY MOVE A STATE’S BORDER?
THESE OREGON COUNTIES HOPE SO
Earlier this year, several counties in Eastern Oregon voted to break away from the Beaver State and join their next-door neighbor, Idaho. Led by a grassroots organization called Citizens for Greater Idaho (or Greater Idaho, for short), this push to move the Oregon-Idaho border further west was fueled by an urban/ rural and liberal/conservative divide within the state. In short, rural Oregonians, who are mostly conservative, don’t feel like their state government, which leans liberal, represents their interests. However, rather than leave their homes and livelihoods behind for a government that better represents their values, they’ve decided they want to bring Idaho’s values and government to them. While the social and political dimensions of this movement are fascinating, the more pragmatic question of whether moving a state border is possible at all is an essential element to explore. What do legal experts say about the possibility of moving Oregon’s state border? Well, proponents of the move shouldn’t hold their breath. While some counties have “voted” to leave Oregon, those votes don’t hold any legal power. They’re more like a poll, gauging interest in an idea before further action is taken. To make Greater Idaho a reality, however, both state legislatures and the United States Congress will have to approve the move. Idaho’s state border is enshrined in its constitution, which means that in order for the borders to change, so would the state’s founding document. It’s a tall bar to clear, but state borders have moved before. In 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that much of Ellis Island actually belonged to New Jersey rather than New York. The mere legal possibility, plus the affirmation of some representatives in the Idaho state government, including Governor Brad Little, is enough for Greater Idaho to continue hoping that they’ll have a say in the kind of government they want to have.
E A S Y P UMP K IN B RO W N IE S
Inspired by TheCookieRookie.com
If you have a hard time choosing between chocolate cake and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, this 2-for-1 treat will knock your socks off.
Ing redient s
• 1 box brownie mix, plus other ingredients listed on box • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 can pumpkin purée • 6 oz cream cheese, softened • 3 tbsp sugar • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
D irect ions
1. Preheat the oven as directed on the brownie box, then make the brownie mix. Fold in chocolate chips. 2. In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin purée, cream cheese, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Choose your pan as directed on the brownie box. Grease it if needed. 4. Pour half of the brownie mix into the pan and spread evenly. 5. Add the pumpkin mixture to the pan, evenly or in a pattern. Cover with the rest of the brownie mix and spread evenly. 6. Bake as directed on the brownie box, adding 10 minutes to account for the pumpkin. Test for doneness, and when your toothpick comes out clean, cool and enjoy!
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Representing Accident Victims Throughout Florida For Over Four Decades
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Taking Inspiration From Athletes
1
Overcoming the Impossible Task Thanksgiving Dinner That Everyone Can Enjoy
2
Easy Pumpkin Brownies Can You Legally Move a State’s Border?
3
How COVID-19 Worsened America’s Opioid Crisis
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How COVID-19 Worsened America’s Opioid Crisis Lockdowns Made Things Tough
Since the mid-1990s, over 500,000 deaths have been attributed to opioids. Many factors fueled the problem: corporate greed, economic recession, and changing attitudes toward pain treatments. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which escalated the opioid crisis to untold levels. Data released by the National Center for Health Statistics on July 14 show a large increase in overdose deaths. Between December 2019 and
have gone up for men and women of every race and age, and the numbers aren’t slowing down.
The question still lingers — why have opioid deaths increased during the pandemic?
The first reason focuses on the lockdowns. Many people were furloughed or completely cut off from work. This led to isolation, which is unhealthy for most people. For those already using opioids, they had more free time to use and their habits only grew worse.
December 2020, more than 93,000 Americans died from drug overdoses. That’s nearly 29.4% higher than the previous 12 months. This means that, on average, 255 Americans were dying from overdoses every day. One of the most notable things about the opioid crisis during the pandemic is the increase in death by overdose throughout the country. States like West Virginia have always been at the center of the crisis, but states like California, Arizona, and Colorado have seen shocking increases in overdoses. Opioid-related deaths
Then, hospitals became overloaded during the pandemic. Those already recovering from addiction found it more difficult to get medical treatment when the pandemic started. Most medical attention focused on COVID-19 patients, and many former opioid users fell to the wayside. The impact was even worse if they had lost their job — which led some people to return to old habits. As the pandemic continues to rage on, the opioid crisis has not waned. It could take years for opioid use to level out. And that assumes it won’t continue to increase.
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