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QUARTER 1 2024
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Invest in Your Well-Being HOBBIES ARE PART OF A BALANCED LIFE
As January unfolds, it brings with it not only the promise of a new year but also the opportunity to celebrate the interests that make us unique. January is National Hobby Month. This month-long celebration invites us to explore, engage, and embrace the hobbies that make life more colorful and fulfilling. Engaging in a hobby is not just a pastime; it's a gateway to a multitude of benefits that positively impact both mental and physical well-being. Hobbies offer a respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life, providing a therapeutic escape that can alleviate stress and enhance overall mental and physical health. They foster a sense of accomplishment, boosting self-esteem as individuals develop and master new skills. Hobbies also serve as a social catalyst, creating opportunities for connection and shared interests, thereby strengthening relationships and building communities. Here at Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, we are encouraged to have a work-life balance and to take time for self-care and mindfulness. Many of us enjoy indoor hobbies like crafting, knitting, playing a musical instrument, and sewing. Engaging in these types of activities offers a wealth of mental benefits, serving as an outlet for self-expression and creativity. The immersive nature of crafting or playing music provides a mindful escape, reducing stress levels and promoting a sense of accomplishment, contributing to improved overall mental well-being. Our team members also enjoy being outdoors and pursuing healthy habits like hiking, running, basketball, pickleball, and soccer. One of my personal favorite outdoor activities is gardening. My husband also loves to garden, so I get the added benefit of sharing one of my passions with my best friend. Studies have shown that digging, planting, and weeding contribute to a low-impact exercise routine that helps improve strength and enhance flexibility. Beyond the physical advantages, gardening has been recognized as a therapeutic practice that nurtures mental well-being. The rhythmic nature of gardening activities, coupled with exposure to sunlight and fresh air, can reduce stress and anxiety. The sense of accomplishment that comes with nurturing a garden fosters a positive mindset, while the connection to nature provides a peaceful escape from the demands of daily life. Having a hobby can also be a great way to encourage socialization. There is something rejuvenating and energizing about participating in something you enjoy when you can join in doing it with others who feel the same way.
In those settings, you cannot help but build connections and friendships. Studies have shown that interacting with others fosters a sense of community, combats feelings of loneliness, and often leads to enhanced mental sharpness and a higher quality of life in later years. Finding time for hobbies is not just a luxury but a crucial investment in one's well-being. As we navigate the demands of our daily lives, it is vital to carve out moments for activities that bring joy, relaxation, and a sense of fulfillment. Whether rediscovering an old passion or venturing into uncharted territories, the journey of exploring hobbies begins with a simple
commitment to self-care. By prioritizing these moments of joy, we unlock the door to a more balanced, enriched life. Go forth and get your hobby on!
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Discover the Must- Have Smart Devices for Your Space
Everyone Wins With Random Acts of Kindness SMALL GESTURES, BIG IMPACT
When we think of technological innovations, we may focus on things like smartphones and self-driving cars. But in today's fast-paced and ever-advancing world, our homes are experiencing smart revolutions of their own. Smart home devices are easy to operate and make our lives easier. So, if you're looking to make a digital upgrade to your home, here are three devices we recommend you check out. VOICE-ACTIVATED ASSISTANTS Voice assistants, like Amazon's Alexa, Google Home's “Hey Google,” and Apple Homepod's Siri, can be incredibly helpful around the house. With just a simple verbal command, they can set daily reminders for specific tasks, appointments, or medications; place outbound calls for emergencies; and even provide basic first-aid instructions when asked. ROBOT VACUUMS On average, Americans spend six hours a week vacuuming their homes. While this task may seem simple, it can be quite physically demanding. Robot vacuums clean even the toughest spots (like under the couch!) all on their own, then return to their charging station. SMART PET FEEDERS We love our furry friends, but feeding them at the same time every day can be a challenge. Not only that but feeding our four-legged friends requires a bit of bending, too. Luckily, smart pet feeders do most of the work for you! They distribute food and water automatically and on a consistent schedule.
As we meet others during the day, we rarely know what they are going through. In the same way, we don’t always understand the significant impact a small, compassionate gesture can have on their day. That is the power of random acts of kindness.
The examples are all around us. They can be as simple as putting money in a parking meter for someone, giving a generous tip to your server, or opening the door for another person. They can involve taking flowers, a handmade card, or treats to your nearest hospital or nursing home. In those moments, the person carrying out the act of care makes a clear positive impact on the life of the person receiving their kindness. As you seek opportunities to spread kindness, it is essential to keep the person you’re helping at the forefront of the act. Before you act, take a moment to think about what you can do that would make the greatest possible impact for them. By doing so, you'll engage in meaningful acts that genuinely contribute value to the lives of others — embodying the true meaning of kindness. Evidence shows that people who help others also experience a real boost. The research behind the BIG JOY Project demonstrates that people who carry out random acts of kindness enjoy a significant increase in their emotional well-being over just a few days.
Other benefits of performing acts of kindness are:
CREATING A SENSE OF BELONGING AND REDUCING ISOLATION Assisting others helps people to establish, sustain, and reinforce their social ties. Engaging in activities like volunteering fosters a sense of belonging and facilitates the formation of new friendships and connections within our communities. Participating in face-to-face endeavors, such as volunteering at a food bank, can diminish feelings of loneliness and isolation. SEEING THE BIG PICTURE There is mounting science to support the tangible effects of showing compassion. When you go out of your way to do good in the world, good things happen to you in the form of boosted levels of optimism, satisfaction, and happiness. STARTING A DOMINO EFFECT It’s been said that those who have difficulty showing love to others feel they have not been shown love. In the same way, those who experience kindness are much more likely to pay forward kindness to others.
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MEET ANASTASIOS G. (A.G.) KONSTANTIN
Putting a Passion for People in the Spotlight
Those who talk with A.G. instantly feel his passion for his work. Helping others is his mission, and he dedicates himself to safeguarding their future. As the first son of a Greek immigrant doctor, A.G. felt the pull and expectation from his father to follow in those footsteps and pursue a medical career. As he grew up, he also believed that would be his path. “I would accompany my father as he conducted patient visits and went on rounds to hospitals. I would even be in the room when he would be consulting with patients and sewing people up with sutures,” he remembers. “But at some point, I knew I didn’t want to do what my father did. I remember when I was growing up, and my father introduced me to an attorney. That meeting opened a new possibility for my future.” A.G. was in seventh grade when he told his father he wouldn’t become a doctor and wanted to be an attorney. Eventually, A.G.’s father became one of his proudest supporters. As A.G. says, “Years later, he
100% wholeheartedly accepted it, and he was super proud. He said that I made the right decision.”
A.G. has been recognized and appreciated by clients and colleagues for his caring approach and ability to connect with people dealing with personal and delicate matters. He has witnessed first-hand and litigated cases where family members became enemies directly relating to a lack of planning and preparation, causing financial and emotional devastation. His desire to help people prevent these outcomes led A.G. to choose to focus his practice on estate planning in 2020. He joined the Litherland, Kennedy & Associates team in 2023. “I’ve seen the power and the difference of helping families plan for their success in the right way. It can make a major difference in people's financial future and legacies. I knew this is what I wanted to do,” he emphasizes. “What I do now is help people protect everything they have accumulated through their careers and make sure they will pass that along in a way they will be comfortable with.”
BAKED SALMON WITH GARLIC AND LEMON
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a zesty dish that combines salmon with the vibrant flavors of garlic and lemon!
INGREDIENTS:
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2 lbs salmon fillets
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1 tsp dried oregano
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp dried thyme
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Juice of 2 lemons
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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2 tbsp olive oil
BOOTS CANDLES CARNATION FURNACE
INSULATE JANUS OPPOSITE RESOLUTION
DIRECTIONS:
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Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Line a baking dish with parchment paper. Place the salmon fillets on the baking dish. 3. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the salmon.
GARNET HOCKEY
SKATING SWEATER
4. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through. Serve and enjoy!
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Self-Care Can Be Your Hobbies: Make Time for Them page 1 Genuine Care Counts Transform Your Home With These 3 Smart Devices! page 2 A.G.’s Lifelong Goal Is Helping Others Baked Salmon With Garlic and Lemon page 3 Learn About Comprehensive Estate Planning page 4
Here Are the Questions You Should Ask Yourself ESTATE PLANNING POINTS TO FOCUS ON
When making long-term estate plans, it is helpful to take it one step at a time. A good way to start is by asking yourself some questions:
protected and tax-efficient manner, in light of changes to applicable law? Have I set up a special needs trust to provide for my disabled loved one? Have I set up asset-protected trusts for my loved ones so that their inheritance is protected from future ex-spouses, lawsuits, or other claims? What are the potential risks and benefits related to digital assets in my estate plan? Have I discussed my long-term plans with my heirs so there are no unpleasant surprises, especially if we are a blended family?
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Is my current estate plan structured efficiently to minimize family effort and expense, or even controversy, after my death? How might new federal economic and tax policy changes impact or undermine my existing estate planning? Do I have powers of attorney that express my wishes and allow my family or designees to make financial, business, and health care decisions if I’m incapacitated? Have my adult children executed the necessary basic legal documentation to allow me to assist with their affairs in the case of an accident or illness? Will my qualified retirement accounts be passed to my beneficiaries in a
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FREE EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS If you have not yet created your estate plan, or it has been over five years since you created your plan, we invite you to learn more about comprehensive estate planning by attending one of our free upcoming seminars. You can find details in this newsletter’s insert or on our website attorneyoffice.com .
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