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“Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.”
–Guillaume Apollinaire
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends and give thanks for our many blessings. I think it’s natural sometimes to focus on what we don’t
– Freedom, which we too often take for granted – My work, which most times doesn’t feel like work at all because our office is fun and filled with great people – My clients, because I’m passionate about the seniors and families we meet every day – Other local professionals who work with us and our clients to make our clients’ lives better I am most thankful for … – Loyal friends, who I would trust with my life – My three children, who are growing up and finding their own way. I couldn’t be more proud – My grandson, Jack — now all of 10 months old — full of curiosity and ready to take on the world – My son-in-law, who is a great guy and a perfect fit for my daughter – My wonderful wife, who after 34 years is my best friend and seems to know what I’m thinking even before I do. I am blessed to be able to spend this amazing journey by her side – My older brother, Denny (yes, I will remind him that he is definitely older), who is caring, bright, and successful, and who has a terrific family of his own – My little brother, Rusty (I can still hear him saying, “Little, I’m taller than you!” ), who we lost in an accident at age 18. Way too young, and a solemn reminder that life is short, so we need to really live while we have the chance – My father’s cellphone message which we saved after he passed away, and which I still listen to when I want to hear his voice — I only wish he could hear me saying, “ Hi, Dad ” every time he answers – Picking up my cellphone to call or text my mother, realizing she’s gone, then reflecting on the indelible imprint she left on my mind, heart, and soul In making my list, I was reminded of Robert Brault’s quote: “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize that they were the big things.”
have instead of the things we are grateful for, so every year I put together a random list of the many things in my life that I am thankful for.
I am thankful for … – Good health, a roof over my head, and food to eat – Music, especially songs that bring back old memories – Mistakes, because you learn from them – Challenges, because they make successes sweeter – Always learning, because there is so much I don’t know – Green leaves changing to dazzling red, yellow, and orange – Books, because there are millions I have yet to read – Coffee, and then more coffee – Fresh baked bread or pizza … or both – Pumpkin pie with whipped cream – Libraries, because they are a boundless collection of knowledge and imagination – Sunshine that warms my face – Sand between my toes and waves crashing on the beach at Lake Michigan, because it reminds me of my brothers and me climbing the big sand hill in Muskegon and wonderful times with my aunt and grandparents – The smell of campfires and burning leaves – A boat ride, because it reminds me of growing up with our family’s old dry-rotted Chris Craft, and awakens memories that I wouldn’t trade for the biggest yacht in the world – A long hike in the red rocks of Arizona – Sunrises and sunsets anywhere, but especially over the water – Hard rain on the roof, because it reminds me of sitting on the porch during thunderstorms telling silly stories to my kids – Old photos that make me laugh … and old photos that make me cry – Stars in the sky, because they make me ponder how small we really are
Here’s wishing you and your family health and happiness this Thanksgiving, and asking you: What are you thankful for?
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Thanksgiving Is About More Than Food IT’S ABOUT SHOWING GRATITUDE
As we prepare for our Thanksgiving feasts, Thursday night football games, and Black Friday shopping, take some time to show gratitude for those around you and for what you have. Here are a few ways to practice gratitude this month. Appreciate everything. Get into the habit of being grateful for the little things in your life. It can be easy to acknowledge the “big” things, but nothing is too small to be thankful for. You can be grateful the weather is nice and sunny, that you received the package you’ve been waiting for, or that you got out of bed today. Don’t leave out anything when practicing gratitude. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware of what’s happening around you. So, instead of being overwhelmed by what you need to do tomorrow or next week, focus on the present moment and enjoy the time you spend solo or with your loved ones. Live in the moment and take one
day at a time. Tomorrow will surely come, and you only have a limited amount of time in the present. Celebrate your challenges. Sometimes struggles and battles in our lives can weigh us down. But when you persevere and continue to push forward, you will find success. Challenges help you improve your abilities and resilience, so celebrate the progress you’ve made. Showing gratitude for challenges and negative experiences allows us to acknowledge humility and appreciate growth in our lives. Keep a journal. Writing down the things you’re grateful for will remind you of all the great things you have when other things aren’t going so well. So, keep a journal about what you’re grateful for each day or week — even if it’s just small things at first. Your perspective on life will change, and it will get easier to see the good things and to feel grateful for things you were likely overlooking.
Showing gratitude is something we should do every day, all
throughout the year — not just during the holidays. So, try to practice mindfulness and gratitude using these tips! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Back in the day, were you one of the students who seemed to always be in trouble for being chatty? Do you often find yourself lost in conversation on the phone for hours? Does your spouse comment that you talk too much? If so, embrace it, because it’s healthy and beneficial to your emotional well-being! 5 Benefits of Social Interaction With Others
cheerful. Being socially active helps to keep our spirits high and our thoughts positive.
Boosts Confidence Being social helps us feel more comfortable in our own shoes, and in turn, we have more
opportunities to find new friends and form lasting bonds with others. When we create these meaningful
relationships, our confidence soars.
On the flip side, if you tend to be quieter at get-togethers, it may be time to open up a bit and become more social. Here are some ways that frequent conversation and social interactions with others can benefit you. Keeps You Connected Chatting with others bridges the gap between people with different views, interests, ages, and cultures. It allows you to understand those around you better and positively expands upon your feeling of belonging. Prevents Depression Being under quarantine at the beginning of the pandemic was tough! Thankfully, technology helped us to stay connected, but many of us felt some effects of the lack of interaction with others — and they weren’t too
Gives You Something to Look Forward To Have you ever encountered something and thought, “I can’t wait to tell them about this”? You aren’t alone. A good conversation with a friend or loved one is one of the many simple joys in life. Exchanging experiences and stories is fun! Keeps You Mentally Stimulated Conversations fuel our imaginations. Talking with others keeps the wheels in our minds turning as we learn new information about each other and the world around us to remain sharp. Don’t ever bite your tongue or hesitate to carry out a conversation with another. There is no such thing as being too social or talkative. So, get lost in conversation — it’s healthy for you!
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Winter Blues Be Gone!
4 TIPS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD THIS WINTER
Here in Michigan, temperatures are already dropping. Many of us have pulled out the winter coats and dusted off the snow boots. With colder and shorter days, it’s easy for the winter blues to creep up, bringing along some fatigue, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and sadness. While we can’t change the weather or amount of daylight during these long winter months, we can practice self-care and try these strategies to overcome the winter blues. Break up with the news. We spend more time inside in winter, which often leads to more screen time. While staying up to date is important, consuming the news online or on TV can be depressing and contribute to stress, despair, and sadness. Instead of watching or reading the news all evening long, try playing board games, calling a friend, trying out a new recipe, or getting in some quality family time. Get active. Physical activity has been proven to minimize stress, boost mood, and decrease depression symptoms, but that can be hard to do when it’s chilly outside. Luckily, there are many activities you can do for exercise indoors, such as yoga, weight lifting, resistance training, or even cardio if you have a treadmill or elliptical. Plus, just because it’s wintertime doesn’t mean your local gym is closed. If you’re brave enough, sometimes even just a 20-minute walk outdoors will do the trick! Develop a sleep routine. Did you know that sleep impacts our mood? Try sticking to a sleep schedule where you go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. For better rest, avoid using electronics before bed, sleep in a dark and cool room, and make sure your bed is comfortable. Eat the right food. Take a look at the types of food that you eat. Fueling your body properly can work wonders for your mood. Ensure you get enough protein in your diet to prevent sugar and carb cravings. Are your meals rich in vitamins? Are you eating too much junk food? Healthy eating habits are essential for a healthy mind!
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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 have grown with the referrals we receive from our clients. We want to return the favor by helping you find a great attorney outside the field 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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MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150 915 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 6 Howell, Michigan 48843
What’s Inside? 1 What Are You Thankful For?
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It’s National Gratitude Month!
Embracing Social Interaction
Beating the Winter Blues
Helpful Resources
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4 Reasons Seniors Should Have a Garden
4 Benefits of Gardening for Seniors
Staying mentally and physically healthy doesn’t mean you have to attend a fancy gym or hire a lifestyle coach. You can enhance your overall health in your own backyard by starting a garden. It can offer a wide range of health benefits, and here are just a few. Gardening reduces stress and increases relaxation. Life can feel overwhelming. Many family, financial, or medical issues arise with age, and falling into a downward spiral is easy. Your first line of defense against stress can be your garden! Spending time outdoors has been proven to help older adults feel less stressed by promoting relaxation and lowering elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Gardens offer a place of quiet reprieve where you can take time to reflect on the past and plan for the future.
Exercising never felt so green. Finding ways to stay active can be difficult, especially if mobility is an issue. Gardening can be a great way to keep active without the complications of rigorous activity. Simply moving plants around, creating holes for seeds, cultivating soil, or watering the garden are all great ways to maintain or improve strength. Eating healthy food contributes to a healthy lifestyle . Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is enhanced by what you eat. By devoting time to a garden, you can reap the health benefits of the delicious fruit and vegetables you grow there. Winter is quickly approaching, so consider which healthy crops to plant this time of year. Root vegetables like carrots, onions, garlic, and turnips are great options to start growing during November. These hearty vegetables are also excellent sources of fiber and essential nutrients. If you’re unsure where to start in your garden this season, you can refer to the 2022 Planting Guide in the almanac at Almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar. All it takes to start a garden is a seed, so plant a new, healthy lifestyle and watch it grow!
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