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FEBRUARY 2026
KINDNESS SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS AND THE WORLD IS LISTENING
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” –Mark Twain
message still lands. Being nice isn’t complicated. It doesn’t require extra effort or saintly level of patience. Most of the time, it’s just about choosing a better response instead of the easiest one. That lesson came up recently when my son was venting about a girl at school who was having a birthday party. In his words, she was “so annoying.” She had invited his sister, and he was already planning how he’d shut her down if she talked to him about it. I stopped him and said, “Look, I’m not saying you have to go to the party. But how you handle that moment matters.” Those little moments are where kindness thrives. Every sentence, reaction, and action matters. One small, thoughtful choice can change the entire tone of an interaction, and sometimes even the direction of someone’s day. That’s where the golden rule comes into play: Treat people the way you’d want to be treated. It sounds basic, but it works because it’s true. What’s striking is how uncommon kindness feels lately. People seem tense, distracted, or wrapped up in their own stress. So, when you’re genuinely kind, it can catch people off guard. Sometimes, they look at you like, “What’s the catch?” as if happiness or friendliness must be hiding something. That reaction says more about the state of the world than it does about kindness itself. I’ve even seen it professionally. I’ll be in depositions and opposing counsel will ask, “Why are you so happy?” My answer is always the same: “Why wouldn’t I be?” Somewhere along the way, being serious got confused with being miserable. But a little warmth changes everything!
Kindness doesn’t usually announce itself. It shows up unexpectedly, in the tone you choose, the pause you take before responding, or the way you handle a moment that could easily go south. We all underestimate how much weight those small choices carry, but over time, they shape relationships, moods, and even the kind of person you become. Lately, that idea has been coming up a lot in conversations at home, especially with my kids, as we talk about how we move through the world and interact with other people. It’s funny how something so simple can feel so rare.
Did you know that Feb. 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day? While kindness doesn’t necessarily need a holiday, since it’s something we should focus on daily, we sometimes need a nudge to remember how powerful it can be. I genuinely love the idea behind it because it highlights something I’ve been trying to reinforce at home: When you’re dealing with other people, just be kind. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or performative. It just has to be intentional. One of my favorite authors, Ryan Holiday, who wrote “The Obstacle Is the Way,” once put it in a way that made me laugh and think at the same time. He said it’s really not that hard to not be a jerk. We obviously clean that up when repeating it around kids, but the core
The best part is that kindness gives back. The more you practice it, the more natural it becomes … and the happier you feel. Like gratitude, it
builds on itself. That’s why teaching it early matters so much. When kindness becomes a habit instead of a reaction, everyone benefits. Random acts are great, but living a kind life is where the real impact is.
–Case Barnett
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A Global Dinner Adventure Awaits Cook the World
Are you tired of the same spaghetti night or pizza delivery? It’s time to shake things up and turn dinner into a family adventure. Instead of hopping on a plane, grab your aprons and “travel” the world through food. Each week, choose a country, find its most famous dish, and cook it together, no passports required! Step 1: Choose your destination. Begin your journey by selecting a country that excites everyone. Maybe your kids are obsessed with anime (hello, Japan!) or you’ve been craving something spicy from Mexico. Every culture has a dish that tells a story, like Italy’s cheesy lasagna, India’s vibrant butter chicken, and Greece’s fresh tzatziki and gyros. Choose one that feels doable and prepare to embark on a new flavor adventure. Step 2: Cook up some fun. Now it’s time to bring the world to your kitchen. Gather your ingredients, play music from the country you’re exploring, and assign roles. One person can chop, someone can stir, and someone else can handle the playlist (very
important). Kids love getting hands-on, and it’s an excellent way to help them learn about teamwork, creativity, and patience. Talk about where the dish comes from, what people might traditionally serve with it, or how it’s eaten in that culture. Before you know it, your kitchen will smell like another part of the world. Step 3: Eat, share, and celebrate. When the food hits the table, make it special. Light a candle, add a little decoration, and let loose. Take that first bite together and talk about the flavors. What’s new, what’s surprising, and what’s delicious? Create a “family food passport” where you write down the country, the dish, and everyone’s rating or favorite moment. It’s a great way to remember your culinary travels. Step 4: Keep the journey going. Once you start, it’s hard to stop! Turn this into a weekly or monthly family ritual. Each dish brings a new story, a new skill, or a fresh memory. You’ll end up with full bellies and a collection of shared experiences that span the globe.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING "I never thought I would be in a position where I would need to retain a personal injury attorney. I didn’t even know where to start. I had asked around and looked up nearly half a dozen options before landing on Case Barnett.
"Case’s easygoing demeanor coupled with his unswerving compassion and professionalism convinced me I had made the right choice. "The entire team was amazing. Throughout my experience (which lasted roughly two years), I always felt like I was the most important client they had. Even now that the experience is behind me, I am grateful for the connection formed with this team." –Michael F.
This publication is intended to educate the general public about personal injury and elder abuse. It is not intended to be legal advice. Every case is different.
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Tough Cases Turn Into Real Results
• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts • 1 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 tbsp olive oil • 3 tbsp hot honey • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 3 tbsp crumbled feta cheese • 2 tsp fresh rosemary chopped (or thyme) • 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional) Ingredients HOT HONEY- INFUSED FETA CHICKEN
The Power of Strategic Referrals It’s always useful to check in on what’s actually working, especially when it comes to referrals. Recently, a couple of cases stood out, not because they were easy wins, but because they were anything but. A law firm sent over two cases they had been struggling with for quite some time. Both were initially expected to settle without much resistance, but that didn’t happen. Instead, they became drawn-out, complicated matters that demanded far more time and attention than the firm could realistically devote. The clients were frustrated, communication had broken down, and the attorney- client relationships were close to falling apart. At that point, the attorneys were seriously considering walking away.
Directions
1. Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. 2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. 3. Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden. 4. In a small bowl, mix hot honey and minced garlic to create a glaze. 5. Place the seared chicken in a baking dish. Pour the hot honey mixture over top. 6. Sprinkle chicken with crumbled feta, then rosemary or thyme. 7. Bake at 400 F for 20–25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F. 8. Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra caramelization. 9. Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon juice and extra herbs before serving.
Rather than letting the cases go, they decided to refer them out.
Taking on cases like these means stepping into tense situations. The clients weren’t happy when the matters came over, and trust had to be rebuilt almost from scratch. By spending the time to connect with them, walking through the details, and actively working the cases up, momentum slowly returned. What once felt stalled started moving again. Both cases ultimately reached strong settlements. The clients received compensation and, just as importantly, felt heard and supported through the process. The referring attorneys were also able to recover value from cases they otherwise would have abandoned. One of these matters is expected to result in a referral fee of approximately $50,000, while the other is projected to be around $30,000. Beyond the numbers, these outcomes highlight the real value of solid referral relationships. When a case becomes too time-consuming or strained, having a trusted option to step in can make all the difference, both for the client and attorney. It’s a great reminder that referrals are key to preserving results and relationships when things get difficult.
Inspired by LadySavor.com
LAUGH LAWS
–Case Barnett
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Page 1 When Kindness Feels Rare, Be the One Who Leads With It
Page 2 Explore Cultures Through Family Meals
What Our Clients Are Saying
Page 3 Referring Out the Tough Cases Can Lead to Better Outcomes for Everyone
Hot Honey-Infused Feta Chicken
Page 4 Reclaiming Valentine’s Day for Yourself
YOUR VALENTINE’S DAY SELF-CARE GUIDE Love Yourself Like You Mean It
For many Americans, Valentine’s Day is synonymous with romance. We get reservations weeks or months in advance, shower our partners in love and affection, and enjoy an extravagant date night. It’s a day filled with high expectations, and with that comes stress and pressure. If you feel like you’re always going above and beyond to impress on Valentine’s Day without getting the same effort in return, it may be time to show yourself some extra love.
things you love to do the most. When was the last time you played a round of golf, went on a walk through nature, or enjoyed your favorite movie uninterrupted? Whatever your favorite activity may be, find a way to incorporate it into your self-care day. In addition to your favorite activities, take some time to pamper yourself. Get a massage, buy something for yourself that you really want, or take a long, relaxing bath. These actions will help you feel good inside and out!
Everyone deserves a happy and fulfilling life, but it can be hard to achieve when work, relationships, and other pressures weigh us down. Most of us rarely take time for ourselves, so as the pressure builds, we start to experience episodes of burnout, depression, and anxiety. This Valentine’s Day or sometime close to it, take time for yourself and practice self-care. It will help you feel
To ensure your self-care day is a success, consider turning off your phone and other devices for the duration of the day. Scrolling through social media will not help you feel any better; in fact, it will likely make you feel worse. This is a time to focus on yourself and ensure you get the attention and love you deserve. If you waste the whole day scrolling through TikTok or X, you’ll focus on everything but yourself.
rejuvenated while removing any negative thoughts that have been lingering around.
How you approach self-care is entirely up to you, but it almost always involves engaging in relaxing and enjoyable activities. Think about the
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