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AttorneyRobertJames.com 404.891.0977
May 2026
I’ve come to believe something pretty simple but incredibly powerful. You have to laugh. I don’t mean just when something’s funny, but building laughter into the way you live your life. Because if you don’t, life has a way of getting heavy extremely quickly, and I’ve seen what happens when people take everything too seriously. It’s dangerous, not just for your mood, but for your perspective. While laughter is scientifically proven to work wonders and release endorphins beneficial to your health, what matters even more to me is what laughter does for your mindset. It puts everything in perspective and reminds you that no matter how important your job is, or how serious the moment feels, you are still only “you.” Throughout my career, I’ve told people the same thing: “I do serious work, but I can’t take myself too seriously.” Because the minute you do that, you start to think you’re more than what you really are … and you’re not. The work might be important, but the work is elevated, not you. That’s why you have to find humor. If you can’t chuckle at yourself, you’re going to struggle. I was blessed because the people around me wouldn’t let me get too full of myself. I mean, they would make God-awful fun of me. I’d do a press conference, think I nailed it, and they’d find the one odd thing I said and just run with it and tease me mercilessly. But you know what? We’d laugh … and then laugh some more, and it kept me grounded. Everybody needs people who understand you, love you, and are not impressed by your title. These individuals can laugh both with and at you. Here’s the truth: We all have a blooper reel … every single one of us. It doesn’t matter who you are: lawyers, doctors, athletes, or parents. We’ve all got moments we’d rather forget. And in this world where everyone’s trying to control their image, where you only see the highlight reel, it’s easy to forget that. So, you have a choice. When those moments happen, and you trip, mess up, or say something you later regret, you can either get embarrassed and shut down, or you can laugh. And let’s be Before Life Laughs at You LAUGH FIRST …
honest, people are probably laughing anyway, so you might as well laugh with them. After all, I figure you can’t humiliate me if I’m already laughing at myself. I also believe some seasons in life require laughter. We had times in my family when we were under pressure and counting how many months we had left to pay the mortgage, figuring out which bills we could pay and which ones had to wait, and standing outside a restaurant, looking at the menu, doing the math in real time, while trying to decide if we could afford to eat there. But somehow, those were some of the happiest times of our lives. It wasn’t easy; in fact, it was incredibly stressful, but we decided we were going to laugh and find the light and humor in it. We’d joke about being broke and laugh about bill collectors calling or getting invited to events we couldn’t afford to attend. We learned to dance in the rain. That made all the difference. We turned toward each other instead of on each other. That’s why something like World Laughter Day on the first Sunday in May matters, even though it’s just a silly day on some calendars. It reminds us of something we forget too often: Life is meant to be lived, not just managed. At the end of the day, I know who I am. I’m confident with what’s in me. I know there’s a bigger plan for my life. So, if I fall on my face tomorrow, figuratively or literally, I can laugh because that moment doesn’t define me. It’s just part of the story.
–Robert D. James
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When a Monkey Picked Up a Camera, the Law Had to Catch Up THE WILDEST COPYRIGHT CASE YOU’LL EVER HEAR
In 2011, deep in the jungles of Sulawesi, Indonesia, a crested macaque named Naruto did something unforgettable: He picked up wildlife photographer David Slater’s camera and snapped a series of self-portraits, now known around the world as the “ monkey selfies. ” Whether it was curiosity or a mischievous instinct, those photos became a viral sensation and eventually sparked one of the weirdest legal battles in copyright history. Who really took the picture? This legal drama didn’t begin over “cute animal photos.” It was about who owns the copyright when a monkey takes the photo? Slater, who had traveled to Indonesia and set up the camera, argued that he deserved the copyright because he engineered the situation that made the shots possible. In 2015, the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) filed a lawsuit on Naruto’s behalf to claim copyright, arguing that the monkey should
own the rights to the photos and that any proceeds should benefit Naruto and other crested macaques. The lawsuit hinged on a bold argument: If copyright law grants protections to any “author,” then why not one who captured the image, even if that author is furry and swings from trees? Courts rule animals don’t get copyrights. A federal judge dismissed PETA’s claim, ruling that animals can’t own copyrights. The U.S. Copyright Office echoed this, stating that works created by nonhumans aren’t eligible for copyright protection. In 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals cemented that view: Naruto and, by extension, other animals lack legal standing to own copyright. Humans reach a compromise. Rather than let the legal fight drag on, Slater and PETA reached a settlement in 2017. Under it, Slater agreed to donate
25% of future revenue from the monkey selfie images to wildlife conservation groups protecting crested macaques and their habitat. This oddball case forced lawmakers and other humans to grapple with questions about how far the law should go in recognizing the rights of nonhumans. In the end, a smiling macaque taught the world something about the limits of human law and gave us an epic selfie to remember it by.
The Case for Slowing Down ARE KIDS TOO BUSY THESE DAYS?
In today’s go-go-go culture, it’s easy for kids’ schedules to fill up fast. Soccer on Mondays, piano on Tuesdays, tutoring on Wednesdays. With all that, it can feel like you’re setting them up for success. But when every free moment is booked, that packed calendar can do more harm than good. Overscheduling doesn’t just make kids busy; it can make them feel overwhelmed. Constant activity makes an impact. Kids who move from one activity to the next without a break often live in a constant state
of “hurry.” Even if they enjoy what they’re doing, the pressure to perform, be on time, and meet expectations can pile up. Over time, that stress may show up as mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or frequent meltdowns. Some kids struggle to explain how they feel, so instead of saying “I’m overwhelmed,” they might complain of headaches or stomachaches or seem unusually emotional. Sleep and energy take a hit. When practices run late, and homework stretches into the night, sleep is often the first thing sacrificed. Lack of rest can affect focus, memory, and emotional control. A child who isn’t getting enough sleep may have trouble paying attention in class, managing frustration, or staying healthy. Rest is essential for growing bodies and brains! Free time makes a difference. Unstructured time can look unproductive, but it plays a huge role in development. When kids have time to play, daydream,
or invent their own fun, they’re learning creativity, independence, and problem- solving skills. Free time allows them to decompress and process their experiences, something structured activities don’t always provide. Without it, kids miss out on learning how to entertain themselves and regulate their emotions. Burnout can steal the joy. One of the biggest ironies of overscheduling is burnout. Activities that once felt exciting can start to feel like chores. Kids may lose interest not because they dislike the activity but because they’re exhausted. When everything feels mandatory, joy can fade, and that can dampen motivation and confidence. Remember, the goal isn’t to eliminate activities, it’s about balance. Leaving room for rest, family time, and simple fun helps kids recharge and reconnect with what they enjoy. Sometimes, doing less allows children to grow more emotionally, socially, and mentally.
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Long before modern ideas of rights and fairness, societies made laws that seem downright bizarre today, yet each was crafted to solve a real problem or reinforce vital cultural values at the time. When you dig into the reasons behind these ancient rules, the logic reveals practical concerns rather than pure absurdity. Sparta made marriage a civic duty. In militaristic Sparta, personal freedom took a back seat to state survival. Spartan men were expected to marry and produce soldiers; refusing to wed was frowned upon, and inveterate bachelors were fined and punished socially. Bachelors past a certain age faced ridicule and exclusion because every man who stayed single did not produce children who could then become warriors. In a society built around war readiness, strong incentives for marriage were strategic. Olive trees were protected like national treasures. In ancient Athens, an olive tree was not an ordinary plant. It was sacred, symbolic, and economically essential. Olive oil had many uses: It lit lamps, healed wounds, and was a popular item people would trade. In the 6th century B.C.E., the Athenian lawmaker Solon made it illegal to cut down olive trees without official permission, with sometimes It’s Not Nonsense After All THE REAL PURPOSE BEHIND ANCIENT ‘ABSURD’ LAWS
TAKE A BREAK
Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak With Onions
Ingredients
Steak • 1 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tbsp oyster sauce • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 large onion, sliced • Salt and pepper, to taste • Steamed rice or noodles Sauce • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 1 tbsp cornstarch
severe penalties for lawbreakers. Back then, preserving olive groves was literally protecting the city’s future.
• 1 lb beef strips (sirloin or rib eye) • 3 tbsp vegetable oil, separated
Russia taxed beards to spur modernization. Fast-forward to 17th-century Russia, where Tsar Peter the Great
Directions 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. 2. Toss beef strips in marinade; let sit 10–15 minutes. 3. In a skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil, then add sliced onions. 4. Sauté until soft, slightly caramelized; season with salt and pepper, remove from pan, and set aside. 5. In the same skillet, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil over high heat. 6. Add marinated beef strips; stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until browned. 7. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch.
was determined to drag his kingdom into the Renaissance era. Part of that meant shaving off traditional beards, which were seen as backward by Western European standards, and adopting clean-shaven faces. When the outright banning of facial hair sparked religious resistance and rebellion, Peter pivoted: Keep your beard, just pay a tax, and carry a metal token. It was a unique combination of cultural reform and fiscal strategy. These examples remind us that what now sounds absurd often grew out of urgent needs or deeply held values. Punishing men for not marrying, olive tree preservation, and beard control may sound silly at first, but each solved a problem that mattered in its day.
8. Pour sauce over beef and simmer until thickened. 9. Add sautéed onions back into pan; stir to combine. 10. Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
Inspired by CookTune.com
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
404.891.0977 AttorneyRobertJames.com 233 Peachtree St. NE Suite 1200 Atlanta, GA 30303 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
If You’re Not Laughing at Yourself, You’re Missing the Point
2
The Monkey Who Broke Copyright Law
When ‘Doing It All’ Becomes Too Much for Kids
3
How Unusual Laws Shaped Ancient Societies
Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak With Onions
4
It’s Not All ‘Arrr!’ and Buried Gold
These Little-Known Facts Tell a Different Story Think You Know Pirates?
When most people think of pirates, they imagine gruff voices shouting “Arrr!” and fun, over-the-top accents. However, did you know that in reality, pirates spoke in the accents of their home countries? English, Spanish, French, and Dutch dialects mingled aboard ships, depending on the crew. The exaggerated pirate voice we recognize today comes from a 1950 Disney film, not real history.
decisions. Pirates even offered
compensation for injuries. Losing a limb could earn a sailor extra shares of the loot. Female pirates were real and powerful.
But wait, let’s check out a few more little-known facts about pirates!
Buried treasure was pretty rare. Thanks to books and movies, pirates are forever linked to hidden treasure and mysterious maps marked with a giant “X.” However, most pirates didn’t bury their loot, because gold and goods were only valuable if they were spent. Since pirate life was risky and often short, crews usually divided their plunder immediately and enjoyed it in port towns. Only a handful of pirates are known to have buried treasure at all. Pirate ships had rules and democracy. Despite their scary reputation, pirate crews weren’t chaotic free- for-alls. Many ships operated under a formal code of conduct that laid out rules for behavior, punishments, and the division of treasure. Captains were often elected, and they voted on significant
Piracy wasn’t exclusively a man’s world. Famous women like Anne Bonny and Mary Read fought alongside male pirates and earned respect for their bravery. Even more impressive was Zheng Yi Sao, a Chinese pirate leader who commanded a massive fleet of hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of sailors. She negotiated her retirement and lived out her days peacefully, something few pirates ever achieved. The Jolly Roger was psychological warfare. Pirate flags weren’t just for decoration. The skull-and-crossbones design, known as the Jolly Roger, was meant to terrify enemy ships into surrendering without a fight. Some flags featured hourglasses, bleeding hearts, or skeletons, each symbol sending a clear message: Surrender quickly, or suffer the consequences.
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