Check out our February newsletter!
A collection of thoughts and stories to educate, entertain, and inspire. February 2025 P ACKARD P RESS The What a Flipped Trailer Taught Me About Getting Back Up Sometimes, life feels like driving a precariously loaded trailer through the Rockies, just praying it doesn’t tip over. For my father, that was a literal challenge to overcome. In 1965, he nearly gave up on law school after a rough first year left him doubting his future as a lawyer. He and my mom, who was 7 months pregnant with their second child, packed up everything they had in a small utility trailer. They left to go paint bridges in Washington state. It was supposed to be a fresh start, but life threw them a curve — literally. It was on a sharp mountain turn, halfway through their journey when the trailer somehow unhooked from the ball hitch. The chains held strong, but the trailer flipped on its side. What happened next became a family legend and remains one of the reasons I’ll always believe in getting back up. LIFE’S SHARP TURNS
Feb. 1st is National Get Up Day, a time to celebrate perseverance and what we can learn from falling down. Many of the stories I love are about resilience, and in my own life, I have fallen on my face plenty of times. I have learned these stories how to get back up. If others can do it, I can. On the side of that mountain road, my mom and dad inspected the damage. Miraculously, the hitch could be reattached if they could only lift the trailer upright. They tried with all their might to lift it back up, but they couldn’t. Their whole world was crumbling down; then, a truck pulled up. The driver felt compelled to stop when he saw a young man, his pregnant wife, and a young toddler poking his head out the window. With a bit of leverage and all their strength, they lifted together. They felt the contents shift, accompanied with an unsettling thump and the tinkling of broken glass. The truck driver wished them well and continued on his journey. Dad stood there on the side of the road, broken, with a trailer full of broken things. Similar to the trailer, he refused to stay down. He pushed forward, and together they drove off to spend the summer painting bridges. After that summer, my dad returned to law school with renewed vigor. Recently, he retired after over 50 years as a successful lawyer. This story has stuck with me, especially when I have tried my absolute best and have still fallen flat. If we look at an unsuccessful attempt at something as a failure, that’s what it will become. Instead, if we can look at a fall in life as an opportunity for growth and be
grateful for that moment, we can learn from it. Truly, failure is a construct of our design. Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Stories of people getting back up resonate with everyone. Deep within us, we all hope to be the kind of person who strives for another chance, especially after stumbling. Think about Rocky Balboa returning to the ring, or that magic moment when an entire Olympic stadium cheers for the runner in last place who had fallen down and gotten back up. There’s something special about our ability to persevere and our admiration for it in others. The world wants us to stay down, but when you can get up, it’s like a little spark of divinity awakens and says, “You’ve got this.” Setbacks, even the ones we bring upon ourselves, are opportunities to grow. My dad’s trailer flipping over was a disaster that shaped his future and ours. If we can approach our stumbles with gratitude, we can find the incredible lessons hidden in the fall. Who knows? Maybe one day, those falls will be the stories that inspire someone else to get back up.
– Michael Packard
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All of us need to feel something sacred, something pure. February is a month of purification and the perfect time to press reset and reconnect with a deeper side of ourselves. With all the stressors of everyday life, cleansing is a necessary process. Purification offers a way to gain a sense of clarity. This is true whether it is physical — like when doctors wash their hands before an operation, or spiritual — such as fasting or meditating. If you have never paused to cleanse your mind, heart, and habits, now is a great time to start. Spiritual Every religion and faith touches on the concept of becoming spiritually pure. It is universally important. One way to feel this connection to your spiritual side is through meditation, a practice that allows you to empty your mind of all your thoughts and cares and go to a holy or peaceful place. Meditation provides the mind space need to process and release emotions, old memories, and unhealthy thought patterns. It’s a great way to detox our minds and move forward. There are simple meditations that anyone can do, like taking five minutes to focus on your breathing, or by going outside and focusing on what your senses are experiencing. Even though these are simple, they are incredibly beneficial. Physical Our bodies can also benefit from a detox. So, this February, focus on a clean, healthy diet that nourishes you, and drink plenty of water. Additionally, proper sleep will improve your overall well- being and help you think clearly, so this is an excellent opportunity to revamp your bedtime routine. Finally, yoga has exercises specifically catered to purifying your body and mind, so find a yoga group or some self-guided routines. Emotional Along with meditating, there are diverse ways to cleanse and purify yourself emotionally. Practicing mindfulness can help you release negative or unhelpful emotions. Writing can be a powerful tool that helps people understand and process feelings. Journaling for a few minutes each day is a wonderful practice. You can write freely about your day or use prompts to help guide you. The point is to write, so use whichever tools works for you. Purification is a profoundly personal journey, and there’s no one- size-fits-all approach. So, whether you meditate, do yoga, journal, or have your own method, February invites us all to embrace the process and feel renewed. Sacred Spaces Within Simple Purification Practices for Everyday Peace
The Bizarre History of the Bursting Teeth Dental Detonations From the Past People love unsolved mysteries, as shown by the steady stream of new podcasts and TV shows about cold cases. Now, to the annals of mysteries like “Who invented Bitcoin?” or “What really happened to Amelia Earhart?” add this riddle for the ages:
What caused the mystery of the exploding teeth?
About a half dozen times during the 19th century, people were beset by agonizing dental pain followed by an explosion of a tooth, according to scientific journal articles reported by the BBC. In the first case, a clergyman in 1817 reported an ache in a
canine tooth so intense as to drive him wild, according to a Pennsylvania dentist’s journal article. The reverend ran around trying to escape the pain, drilling his head into the ground and immersing it in a cold spring, to no avail. “All at once, a sharp crack, like a pistol shot,
burst his tooth to fragments, giving him instant relief,” the article said.
In another case, a woman a few miles away suffered severe pain in a tooth that ended “by bursting with report, giving immediate relief,” the dentist wrote. In a third case, in 1855, a woman reported that one of her canine teeth spontaneously split open “a sudden sharp report,” again leading to instant relief, the article said. Correspondence published in the British Dental Journal told of similar cases, including one recorded in 1871 by a different American dentist. He reported treating a
woman whose molar “bursted (sic) with a concussion and report that well-nigh knocked her over” with a sound loud enough to deafen her for a few days, the correspondence said. The cause of these dental detonations isn’t clear. The Pennsylvania dentist who reported the three initial cases suspected that a buildup of gas within the teeth may have triggered the eruptions, but modern experts say that notion arises from a misunderstanding of what causes tooth decay at that time. Some suggest that a mixture of metals in dental fillings may have caused a buildup of pressure, but there is little evidence to support that hunch. Or, the patients may simply have been exaggerating their symptoms.
– Michael Packard
But without other explanations, the mystery of the exploding teeth remains unsolved.
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Celebrating Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week EMBRACING UNITY IN DIVERSITY
Every year, the third week of February is celebrated as Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week. This week is all about promoting friendship, understanding, and respect for people, no matter their background. In a world where differences often divide us, this week reminds us of what connects us all. It encourages us to celebrate the things that make us unique, while also recognizing that we all share common experiences as human beings. The Power of Unity Unity doesn’t mean we have to be the same. Instead, it’s about respecting and appreciating each other’s differences. We might come from different cultures, speak different languages, or have different beliefs, but we all experience love, fear, and joy. Unity is about coming together to support and understand each other, regardless of what makes us different. When we celebrate unity, we celebrate the idea that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect.
world. Interacting with others, especially those from a different culture, exposes us to ideas, traditions, and ways of thinking that help grow our perspective. We all want happiness, connection, and a better life. Learning from these differences can make us more empathetic and open-minded. The Importance of Connection In today’s world, it can sometimes feel like people are more divided than ever. Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week reminds us of the importance of connection. By focusing on the things we share, rather than what makes us different, we can build communities where everyone feels valued and accepted. Unity isn’t about ignoring differences but celebrating them. When we connect with people from different backgrounds, we create a more respectful and inclusive society, where everyone can thrive. Moving Beyond the Week We can apply these lessons for more than just one week. We improve our community when the principles of kindness, respect, and understanding become a part of our daily lives. Small actions, like learning about other cultures, listening to different perspectives, or helping someone in need, can make a big difference. If we carry these values with us every day, we can help create a world where everyone feels welcome and valued. Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week reminds us that it is essential to celebrate our similarities as well as our differences. Something I learned from another culture is the Indian word Namaste. My favorite translation is: The divine in me sees and honors the divine in you. When we learn from and connect with others, we show love and respect for everyone. This is one way we can contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate world. The ideas of kindness, respect, and unity are not just for one week — they are values we should live by every day. By doing so, we help build a future where everyone, no matter their background, feels valued and appreciated.
Learning From Differences This week reminds us to learn from people who have different experiences. Every person has a unique story to tell, and when we take the time to listen, we can learn new things about the TAKE A BREAK
VEGAN GREEK SHEET PAN DINNER
Ingredients
Inspired by ItDoesntTasteLikeChicken.com
Seasoning: • 3 tbsp olive oil • 1 lemon, juiced (about 3 tbsp)
Veggies and Tofu: • 1 block extra-firm tofu, drained and diced • 1 medium zucchini, sliced • 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced • 1 medium red onion, sliced • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes • 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives • 1/4 cup vegan feta, crumbled
• 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1 1/2 tbsp dried oregano • 1 tbsp dried basil • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 1 1/2 tsp salt • 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. In a small bowl, combine all seasoning ingredients, stir, and set aside. 2. Spread tofu, zucchini, pepper, onion, and tomatoes on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle seasoning over top and mix with your hands until everything is well coated. 3. Bake for 35–40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until everything is golden brown. Remove from the oven, then sprinkle with olives and vegan feta. 4. Serve with cooked rice, warm pita bread, vegan tzatziki, hummus, or chopped parsley.
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Finding Gratitude in Our Stumbles
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The Unsolved Mystery of the Exploding Teeth Cleanse Your Mind, Body, and Soul This February Celebrating Unity in a Divided World Vegan Greek Sheet Pan Dinner
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The Sleep Hack Your Brain Will Love
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GOODBYE, SLEEPLESS NIGHTS A good night’s rest is one of the keys to a healthy life, but if counting sheep isn’t working for you, a psychology-based Cognitive shuffling gently nudges your brain away from worries and wandering thoughts that cause How to ‘Shuffle’ Your Way to Restful Dreams
rosy. Repeat this for each letter until you finish the word you first chose. As you think about the words, spell them out slowly and visualize them. This practice resets your mind as you focus on something other than thoughts or feelings that keep you awake. Mind Movies Another method of cognitive shuffling involves conjuring different imagery in your mind to help you escape random thoughts or leftover anxieties from the day. As you lie in bed, think of random words like “cow” and imagine them. Create visuals in your mind so you can drift off to sleep. You can also use your heartbeat as your guide. Think of a non-emotional word like “horse,” and on each heartbeat, think of a word that starts with the first letter. The trick is to keep each word random, going with the first image that comes to mind.
sleep hack can help quiet your most intrusive thoughts. Cognitive shuffling is a technique that aims to disrupt your thought patterns by focusing on random words to help your mind relax. It’s like shuffling a deck of cards — rearranging all the ideas to quiet the noise so you can sleep. Get ready to finally catch some z’s with this clever strategy to take you into dreamland. Shuffle Off to Sleep To turn this trick into a sleep triumph, get into bed, turn off the lights, and try to relax. As you lie there, think of a non- emotional word, like “rest,” or a similar word around five letters long and doesn’t cause an emotional reaction. Now, think of three words that start with the first letter of the word — like rain, road, and
insomnia, easing you into a calm state. When you embrace random words and images that distract you from intrusive thoughts, you give yourself permission to get the rest you need. Sweet dreams are just a shuffle away!
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