404-418-8244 Aug 2020 WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM
3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096
Pick Your Line Overcome Chaos and Focus on the Destination
In my college days, I tried to spend most of my free time outdoors. My life was hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking. There was one winter when I lived out in Arizona and I got to mountain bike all over the state. I hit the Four Corners, Red Rocks, and all the great trails in the Sedona area. I also paddled rivers all along the East Coast, from West Virginia and South Carolina to Tennessee. Taking in the fresh air while out in the mountains or on the water was a great experience. The energy just feels different out there. These kinds of extreme spots really taught me how to be present and in the moment. Picking up and learning mountain biking and kayaking later in life taught me the importance of learning new things no matter what your age. That’s another thing that came in handy when I decided to go to law school. I was quite a bit older than most of my classmates — I was closer in age to the professors — but I didn’t view that as starting law school “late.” It’s never too late to learn something. It’s all about progression. It doesn’t matter how old you are when you start something; what really matters is that you take that next step in learning it. You have to take baby steps. Progress doesn’t come in miles; it’s achieved inch by inch. Achieving that kind of progress is always satisfying, whether it’s in the law firm or on a mountain trail.
Some people love extreme sports for that rush of adrenaline. I certainly liked that part, but the rush isn’t the only reason I enjoyed mountain biking or kayaking. One of the things that’s fundamental to those sports is what’s called picking your line — looking ahead down the trail or down the river to identity obstacles. While you’re moving, you’re picking your line that you want to travel to get through obstacles. In mountain biking, that means avoiding rocks or roots. In kayaking, you’re avoiding holes that can flip you into the river and drown you. To do this you have to be completely focused on the present moment. Learning to still your mind by picking a line gives you the ability to deal with chaos when everything is moving fast. You teach yourself to focus on the problem and take out the fear. Beyond just being able to pick your line, you had to learn that once you got started, your line was always going to change. You’ll have to make adjustments depending on what’s going on. But because you already picked that line, you’re more able to deal with those adjustments because you know where you want to go to get to safety. You’re just making small adjustments along the way. Developing this mindset was huge for me when I opened my law firm, and the biggest challenge I faced was learning to ignore my competition. There are a lot of personal injury attorneys practicing in
Atlanta, and I would get hung up on what everyone else was doing. I had to remind myself to quiet my mind from the chaos. From there, I created my mantra: Create, don’t compete. I can’t control what other firms are doing, just like I couldn’t control what the rapids were doing. But I can focus on where I want to go and chart my course to reach that destination. It’s been years since I’ve been on a kayak or a mountain bike. I’m a city guy now, and that’s a title I really like, but I hold on to the lessons those experiences taught me. It was a fun time and I grew in unexpected ways. -David Brauns
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How 1 Father Is Passing Along Life Lessons ‘DAD, HOW DO I?’
Being abandoned by a parent is one of the most devastating things that can happen to a child. Rob Kenney experienced this trauma firsthand when his father said he no longer wanted any of his eight children. Kenney was only 12 years old when his father walked out of his life. In an interview with Q13 News in Seattle, Kenney explained that after that experience, he decided that when he had children of his own, he would raise them into good adults and make sure they didn’t have a fractured childhood. But he didn’t stop there. Now 50, Kenney has a 29-year-old daughter and 27-year-old son who are living successful lives thanks to that decision he made many years before. However, even with an empty nest, Kenney realized he still had life lessons to pass on. After thinking about other young people in the world who have gone through the same unfortunate experience as he did, he decided to do something about it. In early April 2020, Kenney created a YouTube channel called “Dad, how do I?” and uploaded his first video, titled “How to tie a tie.” In the video, he gives a helpful hint for choosing a tie. Then he talks viewers through the process of how to
tie a tie while demonstrating it on himself. As April progressed, Kenney uploaded a number of videos on other seemingly simple tasks, including how to unclog a sink, check the oil in a car, install a shelf, and even how to shave. As he continued uploading videos, he started to include dad jokes along the way. “So today I’m going to show you how to use a stud finder,” Kenney begins in one video. “If you came here looking for help finding a boyfriend, that would be a different stud finder.”
Kenney hopes that, by uploading these videos, he can be there for someone who doesn’t have a parent around to teach them these things. And in the course of just two months, it looks like he is already doing just that. At the end of May, Kenney’s channel had over 2 million subscribers and thousands of people have reached out to Kenney to share their own similar experiences and express their gratitude and appreciation for everything he’s doing.
Testimonials DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
“Awesome team ... Instant replies to my phone calls or emails! Mr. Brauns and his team were professionals in every way! And most importantly, they achieved good results! I would definitely recommend Brauns Law!” –Marshalle Stewart “Erica and David were very professional and handled my case really well over the past eight months. They checked in on me and were very responsive if I had any questions. It was a very positive experience and will be recommending to my friends and family! Thank you, Brauns Law!”
–Mysha Azzad
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Atlanta’s Favorite Outdoor Destination Looking for an outdoor adventure within Let’s Go Outside!
known for its tumbling waterfall. A system of hiking trails sprawl across the preserve and lead to a wealth of natural and human-made sights. In addition to the waterfalls, guests can hike to tranquil creeks, a historic stone spring house, and the site of a Civil War battle. Take a Dip at Poole’s Mills Park Where: 52-minute drive from downtown Website: Parks.ForsythCo.com/Parks-and- Facilities/Parks/Pooles-Mill-Park Home to a historic covered bridge, Poole’s Mills Park also boasts a unique swimming hole. The rocks in the shallow part of the nearby river serve as a natural waterslide, creating hours of fun on hot summer days. The park also features a popular playground, great for kids of all ages. Picnic in Piedmont Park Where: 2-minute drive from downtown Website: PiedmontPark.org
driving distance from Atlanta? Here are a few of our favorite destinations that your whole family is sure to enjoy. Hike in Sweetwater Creek State Park Where: 30-minute drive from downtown Website: GAStateParks.org/SweetwaterCreek With 15 miles of trails, Sweetwater Creek State Park is a popular destination for hikers. Whether you’re an avid hiker or you’ve just put on your first pair of hiking boots, Sweetwater Creek has trails for hikers of all experience levels. The park is also a great place for some water fun. Spend the afternoon kayaking, canyoning, or even paddleboarding around the lakes and streams. Meet Civil War Ghosts at Cascade Springs Nature Preserve Where: 16-minute drive from downtown Website: Bit.ly/CascadeSpringsGA
the heart of Atlanta, offers a wonderful taste of the great outdoors. The city’s largest park is home to bike paths, walking trails, a butterfly haven, and plenty of local wildlife. We hope these destinations offer the start of some great outdoor adventures. Be sure to check websites for additional information and operating hours before planning your trip.
The largest old forest within city limits, Cascade Springs Nature Preserve is best
Looking to spend time in nature without going too far from home? Piedmont Park, located in
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PEACH AND ARUGULA PASTA SALAD
Ingredients • 8 oz penne or fusilli pasta • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 large fresh peaches, diced or sliced • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced • 1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved • 1 cup corn • 6 cups arugula, packed
• 1/2 tsp sea salt • Pepper, to taste • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Directions 1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta for approximately
dressing over the pasta and toss with the feta cheese. 3. Add peaches, red onions, tomatoes, corn, and arugula to the pasta mixture. Lightly
CAMPING FAIR FIREPIT FRIENDSHIP
PERIDOT POPPY RAFTING SCHOOL
SUNDAE THUNDERSTORM VIRGO WATERMELON
9 minutes or until al dente. Drain pasta and place in a separate bowl.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red
toss to mix well. Add more olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Drizzle the
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404-418-8244 | WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096
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Take Out the Fear
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Rob Kenney Is a Father to Many
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What Some of Our Clients Are Saying
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Top 4 Outdoor Adventures Near Atlanta
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Peach and Arugula Pasta Salad
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How Coping Strategies Help With Stress
Deal With Your Emotions in a Healthier Way Coping Strategies vs. Coping Mechanisms
Coping Strategies vs. Mechanisms
What do you do when you feel anxious, sad, or stressed? Do you reach for your phone to scroll through Instagram? Do you turn to a Snickers bar for comfort? Maybe an episode of “Parks and Recreation” is your go-to form of relief. If you use any of these methods, you’re not alone. When humans face difficult situations, they often turn to coping mechanisms to numb emotions and help themselves feel better in the moment. Emotional development expert Alyssa Blask Campbell identifies many common coping mechanisms, including engaging in screen time, making to-do lists, seeking information, indulging in alcohol or cigarettes, and asserting control where possible. Coping mechanisms make you feel better in the moment, but they don’t always help process and deal with emotions in the long run.
Turning to coping mechanisms is a habit you may have learned as a kid. It’s understandable, and it’s okay. But instead, you want to focus on coping strategies that help you work through challenging emotions and find calm again. Coping strategies are things like breathing exercises, talk therapy, journaling, reading, and physical movement like dancing. While these may take more time to yield results than a TV program or candy bar, tapping into these strategies helps you feel better and process what you’re going through, which allows you to release whatever is causing you strife. Because the way you react when your emotions overwhelm you has an impact on the way you feel during and after that
experience, it’s all the more important to understand the different coping tools at your disposal. As you learn to incorporate coping strategies into your life and call on them when you’re dealing with hard emotions, give yourself grace. You can still turn to healthy coping mechanisms when you need them. The key is to also incorporate some of these strategies to help you better process whatever comes your way.
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