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Against All Odds HOW I EARNED MY DEGREE
When I decided to return to school full-time shortly after giving birth to my twin boys, almost everyone told me it was a bad idea. But I wasn’t willing to put my dreams on hold. In August 2023, I finished the final classes I needed to earn my bachelor’s degree in general business management from Palm Beach State. In a way, the attempts to dissuade me only motivated me more. But the people who told me to wait had a strong argument on their side. The boys were only 6 months old when I went back to school, still breastfeeding and home with me full-time. I also have three stepdaughters who currently range in age from 5 to 13. And in addition to being a full-time mom and student, I’m the full-time office director for Bruce Law Firm. That’s a lot to sit on any one person’s plate. But if you don’t act with urgency, dreams have a way of slipping away. I’d just finished my associate’s degree in criminal justice when I got pregnant, and I was in the middle of determining what path I wanted to take in life. I was already working at Bruce Law Firm and considering becoming a paralegal or an attorney. But I soon realized that work didn’t suit my interests or play to my strengths like management did. Once I knew what I wanted to do, I had to seize the opportunity.
with me. I started getting sick all the time. Even my dad, my biggest champion, told me I would put myself in the hospital. After a discussion with my husband,
we decided to change course. I couldn’t keep
juggling everything, so the boys went to daycare. It was heartbreaking at first, but things got easier.
I also realized I needed to focus on my health. After the boys stopped breastfeeding, I needed reminders to eat and drink regularly, so that was a point of focus. I also started taking fitness classes. They have been a lifesaver for me and helped me finish school. I’ve learned that you sometimes have to be selfish and fill up your own cup first — something that’s incredibly challenging as a mom. Since I have no intention of leaving Bruce Law Firm and already work a job I love, it’s reasonable to wonder why earning a degree was so important. In part, I wanted to prove that I could. I come from a family of immigrants, and my parents never had many opportunities to get an education or climb their career ladder. They didn’t even speak English when they arrived. But they gave me and my siblings an opportunity for something more, and it would have been a shame to waste it. I’m the first member of my family to go to college, let alone graduate. That’s a point of pride, and I want to show all kids, especially girls, that they can achieve their goals. It takes hard work and sacrifice, but if I can do it, anyone can. Even if the road ahead seems rocky, I can attest that you’re capable of more than you imagine. The fear holding you back will never help you get where you want to be. Stop listening to the naysayers, and start listening to your heart. The reward at the end is well worth it.
Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t easy. I wasn’t ready to put the twins in daycare during my first semester, but trying to do everything at once caught up
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df A Giant Whale That Terrified Romans A Co-Parenting Minefield The Real Sea Monster Co-parenting is a challenging task with a steep learning curve for many divorced Protect Relationships With Social Media Savvy
couples. Adjusting to new dynamics and learning to work together effectively is often emotionally draining and exhausting. Unfortunately, social media often makes the process even more fraught and can cause unnecessary tension in a delicate relationship. People regularly turn to social media for support and validation. It’s natural to want to vent, and putting your complaints on social media can seem appealing — the wider the audience, the more affirmation you can receive. But airing dirty laundry has a way of coming back to haunt you. First, many divorce settlements and parenting plans specifically contain clauses that bar disparaging the co-parent publicly. So, bashing your ex on social media could have legal consequences. Whether or not those arise, there will almost always be personal fallout, and it could damage your relationships beyond repair. The internet is forever. Word gets around even if you delete a post or have strict privacy settings. A single screenshot or follower who likes to gossip will inform your ex about your posts. They will likely feel angry, embarrassed, and less willing to resolve problems amicably. Worse, your child may follow you or your co-parent on social media. They could feel humiliated or angry after reading negative public comments about their other parent. They may also confront your co-parent about your allegations or become angry at you for speaking badly about someone they love. In other words, there are many risks with virtually no upsides. Do not discuss your divorce or co-parenting relationship on social media, even when being “vague” or avoiding names. While somewhat less fraught, there are further social media pitfalls. Consider your co-parent’s feelings about posting your children’s photographs on social media. You may not fully agree, but you can at least attempt to compromise. Further, try to be sensitive. Flaunting a new romance online could upset your ex and lead to co-parenting tension. Certainly, give your co-parent a heads-up before making things “Facebook official.” When done correctly, social media can help co-parents feel more connected to their children and common goals. But just a few missteps can destroy a lot of hard-won progress. Think before you post, and consider talking to a trusted friend or writing in a journal instead.
Social media lit up in spring of 2023 with news that orcas were attacking boats off the coasts of Portugal and Spain. Experts can’t agree on the reason behind this aggressive behavior, but history tells us it’s not the first time whales have gone rogue against sea vessels in their midst. Citizens of the Eastern Roman Empire (aka the Byzantine Empire) dealt with a similar problem in the form of a fearsome giant whale they named Porphyrios. Porphyrios struck terror into the hearts of fishermen, merchants, and soldiers who frequented the waters around Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey) during the 6th century; he spent roughly 50 years attacking boats of all sizes throughout the area. Then he would disappear for years at a time, but the locals never knew when he would reappear to sink more ships.
The whale caused so many problems for commerce and defense that Roman Emperor Justinian I reportedly prioritized capturing or killing him. But even the greatest war strategists could not devise a way to take Porphyrios down. He was like a natural disaster, and leaders could stop him no more than they could hold off a hurricane. As with today’s killer whales, experts are unsure what drove Porphyrios’ behavior. Since cameras would not be invented for more than 1,000 years,
there are no photographs of Porphyrios, and it’s impossible to know what species he was. Due to his enormous size and apparent long life, many marine
biologists believe he was a sperm whale. However, others point out that sperm whales rarely live in the region where Porphyrios caused his mayhem and think he was an orca — perhaps an ancestor of the modern-day boat bashers around Europe. Unfortunately for Porphyrios and animal lovers, the whale’s antics eventually caught up with him. While chasing a school of dolphins, Porphyrios beached himself near the mouth of the Black Sea and struggled unsuccessfully to push his body back into the ocean. Meanwhile, Byzantines caught wind that their enemy was helpless and attacked with ropes and axes, giving Porphyrios a gory death and themselves a feast of whale meat.
Is your friend or client married to a controlling, manipulative, narcissistic husband?
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Despite his inauspicious end, Porphyrios is still the only whale to threaten the Roman Empire. We can only hope he will be the only marine life ever to pose such a threat.
The book can be downloaded for FREE at DivorceInformationBooks.com.
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–Ashley and Chris Bruce
The Hidden Risks of Collaborative Divorce A Closer Look at This Litigation Alternative
Most people getting divorced don’t want a big legal fight. Instead, they want to receive their fair share of assets, develop a reasonable co-parenting agreement, and resolve the matter with as little drama as possible. These goals can make a process in Florida called collaborative divorce seem appealing — but there are several hidden downsides. Collaborative divorce allows a couple to end their marriage without litigation. Each person has their own attorney in the process, and neutral financial and mental health experts usually round out the collaborative team. The couple and collaborative team work together to find a mutually agreeable settlement. If the couple cannot agree after negotiation, each party must dismiss their previous attorney and hire new representation. This process closely resembles divorce mediation and shares many positive benefits. Under a collaborative divorce or mediation, the participants control the outcome rather than leaving the outcome to a judge. In both cases, legal fees are usually lower than if the couple went to court. And both mediation and collaborative divorces tend to produce better co-parenting relationships than the adversarial nature of a trial.
But there are also several crucial differences between the two options. In favor of a collaborative divorce is the lower cost of hiring only one set of experts and not having to pay a mediator. But mediation often resolves a divorce faster and almost always puts the two parties on a more level playing field. Divorce litigation requires a discovery process where all facts are ascertained and available to both sides. While people participating in a collaborative divorce must agree to be open and honest with each other, there’s no legal mechanism to force compliance. It is easier for one side to hide information under a collaborative divorce. Further, if a collaborative divorce fails, the parties must start again with new representation. Building trust with new counsel takes time, and hiring two sets of attorneys is more expensive. As a result, many people feel pressured to accept an unfavorable outcome in a collaborative divorce to save time and money. In other words, most of the benefits of collaborative divorce also exist through mediation with fewer risks. Before agreeing to a collaborative divorce, ensure you have all the facts. The team at Bruce Law Firm will be glad to discuss your options and help you make the best decision about moving forward.
Have a Laugh!
Honey-Pecan Chicken Breasts
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
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2 6-oz boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
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1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp butter 3 tbsp honey
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1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/8 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp finely chopped pecans
Directions
1. Pound chicken with a meat mallet to 1/2-inch thickness. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. 2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat butter over medium heat; brown chicken on both sides. Cook, covered until chicken is no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes, turning once. 3. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with pecans. Cook covered until chicken is glazed, about 2–3 minutes.
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How a Mom Defied Expectations to Earn Her Degree page 1 The Real Sea Monster: A Giant Whale That Terrified Romans Social Media Is a Co-Parenting Minefield page 2 The Hidden Drawbacks of Collaborative Divorce Honey-Pecan Chicken Breasts page 3 Master Your Finances with Mark Cuban’s Golden Advice page 4
Money Mastery: Mark Cuban’s Essential Guide to Financial Freedom
4. Put savings into an SPX mutual fund: You want to keep your money where it will grow on its own. Investing in the S&P 500 will keep your money safe while bringing in additional interest. 5. Invest up to 10% of your savings in high- risk investments: Investing up to 10% of your savings in cryptocurrency or other high-risk ventures is okay. Do not expect a return on this investment, though. It’s better to assume it’s already gone than to expect you’ll strike it big. 6. Buy consumables in bulk and on sale: You are going to use products like toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, and others daily. Buy as much as you can whenever these items go on sale so you don’t need to buy them at full price in the future. 7. Negotiate using cash: Most people don’t mind selling their products or services for less if they know they’ll get cash immediately.
Mark Cuban is one of the most well-known American businessmen of the past 20 years. He’s one of the stars of “Shark Tank,” owns the Dallas Mavericks, and has his hands in various other profitable ventures. Cuban is not shy about sharing the secrets to his success. Here you’ll find nine of his most valuable pieces of financial advice. 1. Live like a student: When you were a student, you probably wanted to buy many things but couldn’t afford them. Now that you’re an adult with money to spend, don’t waste it on things you don’t really need. 2. You shouldn’t use credit cards: Credit cards can be dangerous, as the ill use of one can quickly send you into debt. 3. Save six months’ worth of income: How long could you live off your savings if you lost your job today? The future is unpredictable, so it’s essential to create a safety net if the unexpected were to happen.
8.
Read books: There’s always something new to learn that can help you become more profitable or financially aware. Read books that will inspire you. Being nice earns a good response: People respond better to kindness than anything else. Be friendly to those around you, and you’ll be rewarded.
9.
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