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BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT, MOVE ON “Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been.” – Jimmy Buffett Music tells beautiful stories, and in September, we lost a great storyteller — legendary singer, songwriter, and beach- loving adventurer Jimmy Buffett. While it seems fitting to shed a saltwater tear for Buffett, I think he would tell us to celebrate his life and music like a warm, tropical breeze. “It’s five o’clock somewhere,” and we should all raise a glass to his remarkable and optimistic outlook on life. Buffett’s songs steer our imaginations to faraway beaches, where “the sun’s settin’ low” and “changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes” are the name of the game. His harmonies are mini-vacations for our ears, each note meant to transport us away from the hassles of everyday life. But Buffett wrote more than just catchy tunes; his music was a philosophy for living life to the fullest. “Come Monday, it’ll be alright,” he reassured us, reminding us that there’s hope on the horizon even in our darkest days. And in his own playful way, he warned us to avoid whatever threats we may face: “fins to the left, fins to the right, and you’re the only bait in town.” Or maybe more simply, he was just telling us not to be one of the sharks. Who knows? With his laid-back spirit and a guitar in hand, Buffett taught us to appreciate life’s simple joys and to live in the moment. What’s simpler and more carefree than “barefoot children in the rain”? He could have written a song grumbling about the thunderstorm, but instead, he wrote about welcoming that special moment, even if we prefer sunshine over rain. How about a taste of personal responsibility from “Margaritaville”? “Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame, but I know it’s my own damn fault.”
For living life in the moment, one of my favorites involves a cheap watch that Buffett bought. You can imagine his friends telling him he got ripped off buying the cut-rate watch, but he had a perfect explanation:
It doesn’t use numbers or moving hands, It always just says “now.” Now you may be thinking that I was had, But this watch is never wrong, And If I have trouble the warranty said, “Breathe in, breathe out, move on.”
With all the noise in the world, can you think of a more down-to- earth and valuable lesson than just “breathe in, breathe out, move on”? So, as the sun sets on Margaritaville, let’s savor the attitude of the captain who charted a course through our hearts, leaving behind a simple yet thoughtful treasure trove of music and memories. As to finding your own happiness and contentment, I’ll leave you with Buffett’s own finale:
Some people never find it, Some only pretend, but me? I just want to live happily ever after, Every now and then.
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Let’s Unmask Halloween: The Origins and Legends Behind Your Favorite Traditions
Here come the scary decorations, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and spooky costumes because Halloween is just around the corner! These traditions are what make Halloween fun and exciting year after year. However, did you know that jack-o’-lanterns come from an Irish legend or that trick-or-treating comes from a historical ritual called “souling”? As we prepare for Oct. 31 activities, here are some fun facts you might not know about Halloween! Halloween is based on a Celtic festival. Samhain, a pagan festival held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, celebrated both the harvest and the “dark” second half of the year. During this celebration, it was believed the barrier separating the spirits from the physical world would come down, allowing demons to enter and the spirits of all who passed away that year to move on to the next life. ‘Stingy Jack’ helped evolve jack-o’-lanterns. The Irish myth of a man named “Stingy Jack” goes like this: Stingy Jack invited the devil for a drink, and because he didn’t want to pay, he
convinced the devil to turn into a coin so he could buy their drinks. However, instead of paying, he placed the “coin” next to a cross in his pocket that prevented the devil from returning to his original form. Once he freed the devil, Stingy
Jack continued to trick him. When he died, God turned away Stingy Jack with only coal to light his way, so he placed the coal in a carved-out turnip to create a lantern. From there, people slowly transformed his “lantern” into the modern-day jack-o’-lantern! Candy corn was once called chicken feed. Candy corn, which the Wunderlee Candy Company began producing in the late 1880s, is an extremely popular Halloween candy. In fact, today, about 35 million pounds of the candy are sold each year! When the Goelitz Candy Company brought it to the masses at the turn of the century, they called the sweet tricolored candy “Chicken Feed” because so many people worked on farms at the time. Their early ads exclaimed, “Something worth crowing for!”
Now you know! Happy Halloween!
Explore America’s National Parks
What’s on your bucket list?
According to Lonely Planet, October is the best time to visit our national parks. When planning a vacation, the allure of a busy city or exotic beach often takes center stage. However, America’s national parks offer a unique experience. These natural wonders are more than just scenic landscapes — they provide a gateway to adventure, tranquility, and a deeper connection with the great outdoors. Whether you’re already in your golden years or planning on retiring soon, here’s why visiting a national park is the best vacation choice. Nothing Beats Nature National parks are nature’s masterpieces. From breathtaking landscapes to towering mountains and cascading waterfalls, so much beauty is waiting to be explored. Whether you camp, hike, bike, or even drive through these gorgeous parks,
the chance to surround yourself with the beauty and splendor of Earth’s untouched wilderness is amazing.
Unplug and Disconnect In today’s digital world, the hustle and bustle can be exhausting. It’s essential to disconnect from screens, phones, and tablets
and reconnect with nature — and what better way to get out and explore than by visiting our national parks? You’ll have the opportunity to escape the constant demands of technology and embrace the tranquility of nature. Make Unforgettable Memories Visiting the national parks leaves you with memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s a gorgeous sunset behind a mountain range, a spectacular sunrise over a pristine lake, the star-studded night sky, crystal clear rivers and waterfalls, or tranquil meadows, these experiences will become cherished memories that you’ll share with your loved ones for years to come. The moments spent in our nation’s national parks are precious! So, pack your hiking boots, camera, and sense of wonder — which park will you check off your list next?
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Our world has recently undergone drastic advancements. We now have the power to surf the internet in the palm of our hands, video chat with anyone from around the world, and ride in cars that can drive themselves. The digital age has transformed the way people access information — and education! It’s important to never stop learning. Continuing education keeps our minds fresh, allows us to explore new interests, and teaches us new skills. Online courses provide a fantastic opportunity to continue learning. Here are some of the greatest benefits of online education. Flexible Learning Online courses in cooking, business, technology, languages, and more are designed with flexibility in mind. Students can choose the time and day of the week they’d like to enroll, where to study, and in some cases, the length of the classes. This allows them to fit learning into their schedules without compromising other commitments. At Your Own Rate Online courses offer students the opportunity to learn at their own pace. This is a perk for students of all ages because it allows everyone to read, study, and dive into the material however they are most comfortable. Technology Skills Participating in online courses also helps students enhance their digital literacy skills. Navigating online platforms, using technical tools to study, and engaging with other students virtually all help build a more tech-savvy base to improve their understanding of the ever-changing world of technology. If you’re ready to take the plunge and enter the world of online learning (or if you’ve already dipped your toes in the water), check with your local universities or visit trusted online learning platforms to find more! Digital learning options offer the convenience and flexibility you need to never stop learning and enhance your quality of life! Unlock your potential now! FLEXIBLE LEARNING FOR MODERN LIFESTYLES The Power of Online Education
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Helpful Resources • Is your estate plan up to date? Ask us about our FREE Estate Planning Checkup. Call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com.
• Don’t miss Glenn on “Senior Law
Radio,” WHMI FM 93.5 every Sunday at 8 a.m. You can also listen live (or to previous shows) on WHMI.com. • Questions about your money? Do you need help with your financial goals, investment management, or retirement planning? Glenn has partnered with his personal financial advisor, Brad Jerome, to bring expert financial services to our clients. Brad meets with you right in our office — no cost, no obligation, and no pressure. Just an opportunity to discuss your goals with a top-notch financial advisor to see where your path might lead. You can reach Brad directly at 517.301.3070. • Let us be your trusted advisor for all your legal matters. We’ve grown with the referrals we receive from our clients. We want to return the favor by helping you find a great attorney outside of estate planning, elder law, and probate. Our clients often call us in need of an attorney who focuses on personal injury, auto accidents, elder and nursing home abuse, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, and many other areas. To get the best results, you need an experienced attorney to help. If you want a referral, call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com. We are glad to help!
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What’s Inside? 1 A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett
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Halloween’s Haunting History
Adventure Awaits in America’s National Parks
Harness the Benefits of Online Learning
Helpful Resources
Full Brain Activation: The Real Story Unveiled
You’ve probably watched some action-packed movie where the premise relies entirely on the belief that we only use 10% of our brains. The protagonist somehow “unlocks” their full brain potential and gains superhuman abilities. While movies like “Lucy” and “Limitless” are undoubtedly entertaining, the concept that we only utilize 10% of our brains is entirely false.
as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease still use more than 10% of their brains.
Our evolutionary process also would have ensured the useless 90% of our brains would go away through natural selection if this myth were true. When it comes to brain activity, each part of our
Despite this widespread belief being entirely inaccurate, many believe it to be a valid scientific finding. In fact, one survey found that 65% of Americans believe in the 10% theory. Even more frightening is the study that revealed nearly 50% of primary and secondary school teachers in many countries believe this myth. So, how much of our brains do we really use? Understand the truth about our brain power. With the help of modern technology such as PET (positron emission tomography) scans and fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), we can clearly see that humans use all of their brains at all times. Yes, even when we sleep! Individuals with degenerative brain diseases such
brain has a function.
Where did the 10% myth come from? Despite being a common misbelief, the exact source of this myth is unclear. Many threads lead back to various archaic medical findings that were either misconstrued or outdated and inaccurate. It’s plausible that pseudoscientists, psychics, and self-help gurus falsely perpetuated the 10% myth to sell the desire to “unlock our full potential.” So, the next time you hear someone mention we only use 10% of our brains, you can dispute that myth with abundant and trustworthy scientific sources to back you up.
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