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THE SILVER LINING To Your Life & Health
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ALGORITHMS, ATTENTION, AND AUTHENTICITY
Adapting to Social Media’s Takeover
When you think about the ideas that have drastically changed the world, our country, and our community over the past 20 years or so, social media stands out. Back when Facebook first appeared on the internet, it was simply a way to connect with friends and family and keep up with their lives. Now, we have Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, and so many other platforms fighting for our attention, and most are just providing entertainment instead of connection. This February marks 22 years since Facebook’s creation. Like many of you, I grew up without social media and can vividly picture what society was like before its existence. I’ve seen it grow and evolve in real time, becoming a normal part of our daily lives. It’s not uncommon for people to be on social media throughout each day. They check it as soon as they wake up in the morning, whenever they get a free second, and fall asleep while scrolling through their preferred social media app. Social media seems to be everywhere these days and has become a necessity for business owners to keep up with the competition. When I first got into the insurance business, all you really had to learn was information about the insurance product and how to prospect. I spent my early years in the field networking, shaking hands, and kissing babies. It
was a straightforward process to get your name out there and make some type of connection with potential customers, and they would call you when they needed your assistance. Social media changed this process entirely. You used to be able to strike up a conversation with just about anyone, even if you weren’t at a networking event. You could start talking with someone while in line at the grocery store or while walking through the mall. Now, everyone is too focused on their phones and would likely respond negatively if approached by a stranger. If you can’t meet people and educate them in person, you turn to social media and the internet, producing informational content that connects with the community. However, this makes things more difficult for the general public. This leads people to turn to those who excel at social media, even if they aren’t the most knowledgeable. And when people think about coming to your office, they’ll likely check your personal or business social media account to ensure you’re active. If they don’t like what they see, they may decide to go elsewhere. I’ve really tried my hardest to navigate the social media landscape, but it’s proving more difficult than I imagined. I don’t necessarily like appearing on camera, but what’s truly difficult is
creating content that I actually like. I want to create stuff that educates people, and the last thing I want is for it to seem like I’m just making content to get more business. I recently had a conversation with a friend who was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Cancer is widespread in our society, with almost half of all Americans being diagnosed at some point in their lives. As we talked, I informed him that he could have been insured against a cancer diagnosis. He stated that he was the first in his family to get diagnosed, so he wouldn’t have taken that route anyway, but that wasn’t something he knew about. That’s the type of education I want to provide with my content, but I have to get over myself and trust the process. It doesn’t look like social media is going anywhere anytime soon, so it’s best that we continue getting used to it. It may appear like a double-edged sword at times, but as long as we approach social media with balance and produce content that helps instead of harms, it will be a good thing for our society.
–Duane Hamilton
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Hobbies That Help You Pause With Purpose Over the Hill and Loving It
Life is a marathon. For the first few decades of our lives, everything is go-go-go. We constantly look ahead to the next stage of life and wonder what we need to do to reach it, whether it’s finishing high school, earning a college degree, or moving up in our industry. As we settle down and start families, things slow down slightly, but life remains chaotic. Many tire of the hustle culture as they approach that “over the hill” age. They’ll start looking for a quieter lifestyle, ideally as part of their retirement. This way of life calls on us to slow down and shift our habits to align with what matters most. One of the best moves we can make to incorporate this idea
of slower living fully is participating in hobbies that allow us time for introspection and reflection. Here are three accessible and simple hobbies that allow us to focus on what matters most. WALKING There’s something magical about being outside in nature. Walking is a great way to add extra movement to your day, connect with nature, and refocus your thoughts. While you can walk anywhere, it’s best to get out in the wilderness, where distractions are in short supply. ARTS & CRAFTS If you can find an activity that speaks to your artistic side, you’ll gain a new way to express yourself
and center your thoughts. The best part of arts and crafts is that there are activities for everyone. You can journal, write short stories, paint awe-inspiring landscapes, knit beautiful pieces of clothing, sculpt something from clay, make soap, or even work on your calligraphy. BAKING Those who want to lose themselves in thought while creating something delicious should head to the kitchen. Baking is a great way to create something from nothing while relieving stress, developing patience, and expressing yourself creatively. All you need to get started are a few ingredients, a recipe, and the willingness to bake!
Stop Comparing, Start Building
Small Changes That Transform Your Life
Have you ever looked around at your peers and wondered why it appears like they have their lives completely together? Maybe they always completed their work or school responsibilities promptly, maintained an active social life, and looked as if nothing would faze them. After watching them find success and happiness, you may have wondered what they were doing differently to reach this point. You might have even asked yourself, “Why not me?” Well, the good news is that it only takes some simple strategies and intentional actions to put yourself on the fast track to success. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
overcome mistakes and challenges is one of the quickest ways to achieve growth. Over time, you start to realize that mistakes are a normal part of life, and they’ll stop weighing If you really want to get your life in order, you have to put in some effort. Just waiting for good things to happen will keep you from experiencing all of the good in life. Find hobbies that bring you joy, volunteer with causes that you care deeply about, and put yourself out there socially. It will be difficult at first, but like most things, you’ll become more comfortable in time. on your soul so heavily. WORK ON YOURSELF.
STOP SAYING YES. Many of us are people-pleasers who will say yes to any request in hopes that it will put us in someone’s good graces or elevate our careers. However, this will lead to you feeling so spread thin that you don’t have time for anything else. Get comfortable with telling people “no,” and you’ll feel an incredible sense of freedom that leads to more happiness. MISTAKES AREN’T THE END OF THE WORLD. When something inconvenient happens, whether caused by our own actions or an act of God, we tend to get down on ourselves and act discouraged. Finding ways to
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Winter Driving Tips That Could Save Lives B efore Y ou H it the R oad
Although Georgia is not the snowiest state by any means, we’re still prone to occasional winter storms that bring frigid temperatures, slick roads, and icy conditions to our area. While it’s best to stay home when the roads become unsafe, sometimes we have to leave the comfort and warmth of our homes and trek out into the snowy outdoors. Whether you’re picking up medicine from the pharmacy, attending a necessary appointment, or going to work, you need to develop some strategies to keep yourself safe while driving in wintery conditions. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe this winter. PREP YOUR VEHICLE BEFORE HITTING THE ROAD. The last thing you want is to get stranded on the road while it’s cold and snowy, so it’s best practice to inspect your car before taking off. Check your tires to make sure they are inflated properly. You should always keep your fuel tank at least half-full to ensure you don’t get stranded and to prevent your fuel line from freezing. If you park
your car outside, make sure you brush and clear the snow and ice from your vehicle before driving. And lastly, keep an emergency kit in your car that includes blankets, flashlights, food, water, and first-aid supplies, just in case the unexpected happens. TAKE IT SLOW. You don’t want to be in a rush when driving in adverse weather, and this is never truer than when the roads are slick with ice. To prevent accidents, drive slowly and keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you. Keep your headlights on for greater visibility. One of the best things you can do to protect yourself and those around you is learning how to brake when the roads are in bad shape. If you slam on your brakes, your car will likely skid and start to veer in directions that could cause a serious accident. Brake gently, and if your vehicle begins to skid, take your foot off the accelerator and turn in the direction you’re sliding. As the car loses speed and gains traction, you’ll be able to regain control of it and correct its direction.
K orean G round B eef
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by HealthyRecipesBlogs.com
INGREDIENTS Sauce • 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce • 1 tbsp honey, or a liquid sugar‑free sweetener • 1 tsp cornstarch • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Stir Fry • 2 tbsp avocado oil
• 1 lb lean ground beef, 85/15 • 1 tbsp fresh garlic, minced • 1 tbsp fresh ginger root, minced Finishing Touches • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil • 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
DIRECTIONS 1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes. Set aside. 2. In a large skillet, heat avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook, stirring, until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles as you cook, about 5 minutes. 3. Drain the beef and return it to the skillet. Add garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. 4. Stir sauce into the beef, then cook for 2 more minutes, until heated through and the sauce thickens. 5. Off heat, drizzle the dish with sesame oil, sprinkle with sliced green onions, and serve over white rice (if desired).
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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The New Reality of Connection
Rediscover Yourself With Hobbies That Heal, Create, and Inspire Peek Behind the Illusion of Effortless Success Georgia Roads + Winter Weather = Slow Down and Be Ready Korean Ground Beef
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Health Care Has Gone Remote
The Telehealth Trend That’s Sticking Around NO COMMUTE, NO GERMS, NO HASSLE
The pandemic helped bring the concept of telehealth into the public eye. Many doctors’ offices urged their patients to book video or telephone appointments if they needed help refilling medications, receiving a prescription for an illness, or getting answers about their symptoms or conditions. Although we’re now a few years removed from the pandemic, telehealth is still going strong, offering patients a wide range of services. While telehealth can benefit people of all ages, it is an invaluable tool for those in their senior years.
For starters, it is one of the most convenient ways to get help with your health care needs. Instead of getting in the car when you don’t feel well, you can boot up your computer or hop on the phone from the comfort of your home. One of the greatest benefits of telehealth is how easy it is to reach someone when you have a need or concern. How often have you called a doctor’s office to book an appointment when you feel ill, only to hear their soonest available appointment is not for another month or several
months? Telehealth services often have openings at all times of the day to meet your scheduling needs. Telehealth services can be a game- changer when managing specific conditions and your overall health. Doctors and nurses can help manage medication, monitor chronic conditions to determine whether intervention is required, and provide preventive care to keep you in the best shape possible. While telehealth can’t and won’t replace the doctor’s office entirely, it’s an excellent option for a quick fix or questions!
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