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OCTOBER 2023
DO YOU FEEL BURNT OUT? YOU MIGHT BE MAKING THIS MISTAKE
Here’s a strange fact only lawyers know: There’s no homework in law school. Instead, we sat through 13 weeks of instruction for each class and took one big, high-pressure exam. The exam lasted three hours. If you passed, you passed the class — and if you failed, you had to retake the entire 13-week course! I studied my heart out for those tests, and during the process, I realized something important that just came back to me recently: When you try really, really hard at something for a very long time, you get a diminishing rate of return. You’ve probably run into this yourself, whether you own a business, work a 9-to-5, or are a stay-at-home parent. In the morning, you get some caffeine in you and tackle your day feeling fresh. But after a few hours, there’s the caffeine crash. Then the after-lunch food coma hits. And even if you rally after that, by evening, you’re beat! Most of us are used to this, so we slog through, getting less bang for our buck with every passing hour. But it turns out there’s a smarter way to work that won’t make you feel awful. I just read a book about it called “The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working” by Tony Schwartz — and the strategies actually help! There are only so many hours in the day. So, the book explains, managing your time well isn’t enough to stop you from burning out. You need to manage your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy, too! For example, if you’re not properly feeding your body, getting rest, and exercising, you won’t have the physical energy to do what you need to do. Here are a couple of my favorite tips from the book (and my own experience). 2 Ways to Protect Your Physical Energy • Take regular, active breaks from your work. Some studies say you should do this every 30 minutes, while others give it up to an hour and a half. Either
way, get up and walk around! Refill your water, grab a snack, or step outside. These breaks will keep your energy level high and allow you to focus better when you get back. • Figure out your peak energy time. This should be when you do your most important work. I'm an early bird, so my peak energy time starts around 7 a.m. That’s when I feel the most rested, sharp, and capable — so that’s when I come into the office! I don’t make any major decisions after 2 p.m. because I’m not as quick on my feet then. Maybe you’re the opposite (like my husband, Dave). Figure out what works for you and plan your day around that energy. 2 Ways to Protect Your Emotional Energy • Shut out all distractions when tackling important jobs. One of my legal assistants is responsible for sending our records and bill requests. On a recent Thursday, she filed three of them. So, the next Thursday, I ran an experiment. I asked her to avoid answering our phone, shut down her chat apps, close her door, and see how many requests she could send in a few hours. She sent 17! Amazing, right? • Make up stories to explain things that irritate you. If someone takes their bad mood out on you or cuts in line at the grocery store, make up a story to explain their bad behavior. Imagine that their mom is in the hospital, or they’re a nurse who just worked a double shift. This will help you leave your negative headspace, reframe the situation, and protect your emotional energy.
I could go on and on about this, but instead of listening to me, you should pick up Tony Schwartz’s book! It might help you as much as it helped me.
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3 REASONS 536 WAS THE WORST YEAR IN HUMAN HISTORY
When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, it poured so much dust into the sky that the sun over Eastern Washington went dark. Ash drifted overhead, traveling into neighboring Idaho and forcing temperatures down by as much as 15 degrees F.
a decade. In fact, they got worse in some areas! In 541, the Plague of Justinian — the first bubonic plague pandemic — appeared in Egypt and spread through Europe, killing roughly one-third of the continent's population. For decades, archaeologists and historians have puzzled over the tipping point in 536. “What went wrong,” they wondered, “to make the sun go dark and trigger snow in summer?” It was a head-scratcher until 2018. That year, researchers finally solved the mystery with help from, of all things, a Swiss glacier! The glacial ice was riddled with volcanic glass. Further study revealed enormous volcanic eruptions in 536, 540, and 547 likely caused “The Dark Ages.” It wasn’t just metaphorically dark — it was literally dark thanks to ash blotting out the sun and coating people’s homes, skin, and clothing.
Locals spent a few weeks scared and shivering under dull skies. They had no way of knowing it, but they were experiencing
a tiny fraction of the horror humans felt back in 536 — a time that Harvard University historian Michael McCormick once called “the worst year to be alive.” For decades, the year 536 was a historical mystery. Records showed that it was a terrible time, stricken by the triple threat of:
Scientists have traced the 540 eruption to Ilopango, a volcano in El Salvador that’s currently inactive, but they’re still hunting for the source of the 536 eruption. As we write this, volcanoes in Iceland and Alaska are the most likely candidates. We’ve already survived a pandemic this century, so for everyone’s sake, let’s hope both regions stay quiet until at least 2100. We all deserve a break!
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Unexplained, unending darkness Unseasonably frigid weather
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Crop failures and famines
Those horrors and the economic and political instability they brought ravaged the globe from Ireland to China. Although 536 was arguably the worst year, things didn’t get better for more than
LET’S GET SPOOKY, LOUISVILLE! 3 FUN, LOCAL WAYS TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN
The Jack O'Lantern Spectacular Tuesday, Oct. 3 — Tuesday, Oct. 31; hours vary The Iroquois Amphitheater The annual Jack O'Lantern Spectacular opens in Iroquois Park on Oct. 3, and we can hardly wait! It’s one of our favorite events of the year, combining the spookiness of Halloween with the cozy glow of Christmas lights. If you visit, your family can wander the pumpkin trail and experience more than 5,000 glowing jack-o'-lanterns carved by skilled artists. Some pumpkins showcase simple faces, while others are true works of art with lifelike portraits, nature scenes, and more! The display is jaw- dropping. Tickets sell out quickly, so grab yours at JackOLanternLouisville.org now to snag your preferred night. Kids 2 and under can attend for free, while tickets for older kids and adults range from $15–$20.
Halloween Music Bingo (21+ only) Thursday, Oct. 26; 8 p.m. Tin Roof Louisville Do you love Halloween music? If so, head to Tin Roof for a chance to win $100 while listening to it all night long! As Tin Roof explains, “Each player will receive a bingo card with song titles on it. The host will play 30–45 seconds of each song and announce the name of the song. It is your job to see if you have the song on your card.” Play both rounds for the best odds of winning a $50 or $100 prize.
Church Trunk or Treats Dates, times, and locations vary
Every October, churches all over Louisville hold free “trunk or treat” events to give parents a safe alternative to trick-or-treating in their neighborhoods. Parishioners turn the trunks of their cars into portable porch steps, decorating them for Halloween and handing out candy to kids who walk car to car! Some trunk or treats also offer other activities like face painting, costume contests, food trucks, and live music. If you’ve never been to a trunk or treat, start asking around at nearby churches and checking church websites and Facebook pages for upcoming events. Gethsemane Baptist Church already has its Harvest Fest Trunk or Treat planned for Oct. 21, and more announcements are going up daily!
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DON’T MAKE MY HOMEOWNERS POLICY MISTAKE! Insurance Tips That Will Save You Money I recently moved my home and car insurance policies from one company to another — and wow, was that a learning experience! I consider myself a pretty savvy auto insurance consumer thanks to my work, but my new agent (Kaye Nichols with State Farm) showed me just how much I still have to learn about home insurance. Here’s one crazy example. When I first sat down with Kaye, I asked her to compare my old policy to the new one she quoted me. One of the first things she pointed out is that my old home insurance policy included homeowners association (HOA) coverage, and hers didn’t. For context, that insurance will cover you if your fence or shed isn’t HOA compliant and the HOA sues you. Now here’s the crazy part: Dave and I live in the country. We don’t have an HOA! There are zero scenarios in which we’d need that coverage. But until Kaye came along, we paid for it. That situation reminded me why it’s critical to be picky about your insurance company AND your agent. If you own a house and multiple vehicles and your agent hasn't asked you a bunch of questions, you should probably look for someone better. I highly recommend Kaye for both home and auto. You can reach her at (502) 499-9981 or kaye.nichols.pbbm@statefarm.com .
HAVE A LAUGH!
These ultra-soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies will melt in your mouth!
INGREDIENTS
• • • •
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• • • • •
3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
Now, here are a few more things you should know about insurance.
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 large eggs
1. A great homeowners insurance policy will have increased dwelling coverage. This helps offset the increased costs due to supply and demand during a catastrophic event or even debris removal! 2. If you live in Kentucky, you should never choose a $1,000 personal injury protection (PIP) deductible for your auto insurance. You'll never get that money back after a crash! Instead, paying a few extra cents to not have any deductible for PIP that will save you $1,000 per person when hurt in a wreck
2 cups (12-oz package) semi-sweet chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS
WE WANT YOU TO THINK OF US AS YOUR LAW FIRM. If you have a legal matter that needs attention, let us know. If we can’t handle the matter, we will refer you to a firm that can. Please feel free to refer us to your friends and family for their legal needs. We welcome the opportunity to help. 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. 3. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until creamy. 4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended. 5. Gradually beat in flour mixture. 6. Stir in chocolate chips. 7. Arrange dough in rounded teaspoonfuls on ungreased baking sheets. 8. Bake 8–10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; move to wire racks to cool completely.
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If you live in Indiana and only have the lowest underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, you're wasting your money. Why? If someone with even minimum liability coverage hits you, your UIM will be useless! Ask your agent what the best option is for your family.
If you have any more auto insurance questions, call my office! We’ll review your policy for free.
call or text (502) 771-1LAW (1529)
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INSIDE
THIS BOOK MIGHT FIX YOUR BURNOUT 1
STEP INTO 536: ‘THE WORST YEAR TO BE ALIVE’
3 EVENTS TO ENJOY THIS SPOOKY SEASON 2 MELISSA’S MONEY-SAVING INSURANCE TIPS THE BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 3
LUCCA, THE EXPLOSIVE-SNIFFING DOG 4
THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF LUCCA THE EXPLOSIVE-DETECTING DOG WHO SAVED LIVES
Sometimes, dogs are more than just a man's best friend — they are heroes. When the Israel Defense Forces brought Chris Willingham, a Marine specializing in training military dogs, a small German shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix puppy in 2006, he knew she was special. Willingham named her Lucca, and in 2008, the pair deployed for their first tour in Iraq, where they spent countless hours together searching for improvised explosive devices or IEDs. When Lucca smelled a bomb, she'd lie down and wait for Willingham, an action they repeated so many times that the pair seemed to read each other's minds. In fact, the duo became so successful that when platoons suspected they were heading into especially dangerous territory, they requested the team by name.
restationing him at the Marine Security Guard School. But before he had to leave, he was allowed to choose a new handler for Lucca. Willingham chose Corporal Juan Rodriguez, whom he sensed was the perfect match for Lucca. And he was right. Lucca and Rodriguez picked up where she and Willingham left off until one day in 2012. The pair
He applied first aid, a tourniquet, and called for a medevac, never leaving her side. She had suffered burns to her neck and torso, and doctors had to amputate her front left leg. However, in less than a month, Lucca was back to running around with the same spirit as before her injury but was now retired from her day job. She was reunited with Willingham and lived the rest of her days with him and his family peacefully until her passing in 2018.
were four hours into their patrol in southern Afghanistan when Lucca located her second IED of the day. However, when she moved closer to the device to lie down — it exploded.
Lucca led more than 400 patrols during three combat tours in her career. She found 40 confirmed insurgents and countless explosives, and she never had a single human casualty during her six years of service.
After returning from their second tour in Iraq, Willingham received orders that the Marines were
Rodriguez quickly ran to Lucca, where he discovered she had lost one of her front paws in the explosion.
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