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August 2025
The Case for Everyday Kindness
It’s More Than Just Being Nice
Back in college, I had an English professor named Elouise Bell who wrote a sharp but funny essay about how being nice isn’t the same as being kind. I wish I still had a copy, but the message stayed with me. She pointed out that we’ve built an entire culture around niceness. We’re all smiles and pleasantries on the surface. But as soon as we feel unseen or inconvenienced, like someone cutting us off in traffic, all that niceness can vanish in a flash. To me, niceness really is surface-level. It’s about being polite, not necessarily about caring. And while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being pleasant, it doesn’t go very deep. Kindness asks more of us. It starts with respect — the kind that gives someone space to be who they are, even if we don’t quite understand them. It means trusting that they can handle their own challenges without needing to be fixed or led. And sometimes, it means saying something hard to hear. I remember turning in a piece of writing to Professor Bell and waiting for her reaction. She read it, looked at me, and said, “It doesn’t do much for me.” That was not the response I had hoped for, but it was honest. And, of course, it pushed me to take another look and write something more substantial. All this has been on my mind again as we approach Be Kind to Humankind Week at the end of August. It’s a good time to pause and ask ourselves how we show up for others and what example we’re setting in our interactions with those around us. Not long after my divorce, a friend I hadn’t heard from in a while reached out on my birthday. I was also recovering from shoulder surgery at the time, and I couldn’t drive. So, he came to pick me up, took me out to lunch, and brought me back afterward. He could have just texted or left a message, but he went beyond that. Around the same time, some members of my cycling club dropped off meals while I was laid up. These acts were not flashy, but they showed real support. That’s what kindness looks like, and it meant a lot to me. I try to carry that same spirit into my daily life at home and work. When I feel tension with someone, I ask myself a different question. Instead of “What’s the problem?” I ask, “What am I trying to
create?” That shift moves me from reacting or trying to fix things to actually building something with the other person. It opens up space for better understanding and better relationships. That mindset helps when you work in law, too. People outside the field often imagine attorneys constantly arguing, but many of the attorneys I’ve worked with have been deeply kind. They’re clear and assertive but still civil. There’s a line from “The Taming of the Shrew” that puts it well: “And do as adversaries do in law, strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.” I’ve always liked that. You can advocate hard for your client and still treat your counterpart with dignity, respect, and kindness. Kindness isn’t about softening your standards. It’s about holding them in a way that leaves room for people to be human. That applies whether we’re on the job, in a courtroom, or sitting across from someone who just needs to talk. It doesn’t need to be grand to matter. It just needs to be real. And when it’s real, people remember.
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The Original Anti-Tech Movement
What Caused the Luddite Uprising?
Most of us associate technology with progress. Ideas and inventions like electricity, computers, and the internet allow us to live more comfortably, communicate better with the world, and progress toward a more advanced and well-rounded future. However, not everyone looks at technology as a good thing. In today’s society, we refer to these individuals as Luddites. This is not a new term; it originates from the 19th-century Luddite movement in England. After mechanized looms and knitting frames became popular, British weavers and textile workers with years of training feared that unskilled machine operators would replace them. As machines spread throughout England, these workers broke into factories and destroyed the new technology. They referred to themselves as Luddites, in honor of Ned Ludd, a supposed weaver from Anstey who was rumored to have wrecked a textile machine in 1779.
While Ned Ludd may sound like a hero to the Luddite movement and similar to other historical rebels like Joan of Arc or William Wallace, he was more like Robin Hood than anyone else. There’s no proof he ever existed. He was a mythical leader whom many referred to when trying to inspire other Luddites or strike fear in the companies replacing artisans. Although the term “Luddite” has survived the test of time, their movement was relatively short-lived. The first major attack on a factory occurred in 1811, and similar events followed across England for the next few months. By the following year, machine- breaking became illegal, and 17 men were executed for their actions. By 1813, the movement was essentially dead. Modern Luddites may hate technology and think it interferes with the traditional ways of life, but most won’t go to such extreme lengths as breaking into factories and destroying all the equipment.
Strange Rules in a Tropical Paradise HAWAII’S UNCOMMON LAWS
When you travel outside the continental United States, you often have to research the laws and customs of your destination to ensure you stay out of trouble. While this is certainly a good idea when visiting Europe, Asia, or another continent, you should also do research when visiting somewhere closer to home. Even Hawaii has strange laws you might not know about until it’s too late. Here are three of the weirdest laws you must follow when visiting Hawaii. One at a time. Many people who go to bars, concerts, or sporting events have a habit of getting two alcoholic drinks at once to ensure they don’t have to wait in line when they need their next drink. However, doing so in Hawaii could land you in trouble. To curb people’s drinking habits, the Aloha State does not allow people to have two drinks in front of them at one time. You also cannot order a multi-serving drink,
such as a pitcher of beer, unless you’re with another person. Don’t take it with you! Many people like to take a memento of their vacation home, such as a seashell or a rock. If you plan to do this while visiting Hawaii, you must be careful where you grab from. You cannot remove rocks, plants, or wildlife from state or national parks. Not only is this action illegal, but it also invokes the “Curse of Pele” upon the individual. Many who take rocks home with them end up mailing them back later after facing bad luck or misfortune. It sounds like something out of “Moana,” but it’s probably not worth the risk. No skyscrapers. If you want to build a home or business in Kauai, you’ll have to keep the building shorter than four stories. It’s illegal for buildings to be taller than coconut palm
trees on this island, which is how it has retained its natural beauty. Other Hawaiian islands do not have this law, which is why many high-rise hotels and resorts line the coast of Waikiki Beach.
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BRAIN GAMES
While some kids love school and eagerly start their homework when they get home, others dread everything about it. They might not enjoy what they’re learning or have a difficult time sitting down to study. You could try countless strategies, such as hiring a tutor or offering rewards, but the solution might be simpler than that. If you don’t have a dedicated homework area in your home, now is the time to create one. Start by determining the best location in your home. Ideally, choose a location without distractions, such as a bedroom or office. However, if your child does not work well without supervision, put them in a central location. If you don’t have the space in your home to set up a dedicated homework area, you can create a homework basket or cart to break out whenever it’s time to do schoolwork. You also need to gather supplies and set them up for success. Consider the assignments your child will need to complete during the school year and provide them with the necessities for each assignment. Younger children will likely need paper, crayons, scissors, and glue, while older kids should have access to pencils, erasers, a calculator, and a dictionary. No Room for Distraction Why Every Kid Needs a Homework Haven
SOLUTION
Summer Chickpea Salad
Inspired by HowSweetEats.com
Ingredients
All that’s left is organizing everything they’ll need. Separate everything
• 2 (15-oz) cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed • 4 green onions, thinly sliced • 2 ears grilled corn, cut kernels from the cob • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered • 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil • 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
• 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp pepper • 3 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar • 1 1/2 tbsp honey • 3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed • 1 lime, zested and juiced
into bins, cubbies, or baskets by their subject. You could apply labels to each bin to
ensure everything stays organized. This will help your child focus only on the task at hand.
Once you establish the space, you must set ground
Directions 1. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, onions, corn, tomatoes, basil, and chives. 2. Toss well with salt and pepper and set aside. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, add oil, vinegar, honey, garlic, lime juice, and zest. 4. Whisk until the mixture is warm and garlic begins sizzling. 5. Pour over the chickpea mixture and toss well to coat. 6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
rules to ensure your child does their homework. Restricting the use of phones or tablets is a must in today’s day and age. They may say they
need it for their studies, but it will distract them. If possible, set specific times your child should be at the desk doing schoolwork. Even if they don’t have homework that day, they can still benefit from studying. While it might not fix every school woe, creating a dedicated homework area for your child could help them foster a love of learning!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1
Practicing Kindness in Daily Life
Who Were the Luddites?
2
Hawaiian Laws You Have to See to Believe
Summer Chickpea Salad
3
The Homework Game-Changer Hiding in Your Home
The Value Menu Joke That Cost Taco Bell a Lawsuit
4
TACO BELL TRIED TO REBRAND 50 CENT It Ended in a Lawsuit
Rapper 50 Cent was seemingly everywhere in the mid-2000s. His hit albums, “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” and “The Massacre,” took the country by storm, and nearly everyone was familiar with at least one of his iconic songs. He appeared in commercials for
Reebok, Vitamin Water, and other consumer goods, but one popular fast food enterprise attempted to use his name without the artist’s approval. As you might expect, 50 Cent didn’t take kindly to this and promptly sued the chain. In 2008, Taco Bell unveiled an ad campaign promoting the low cost of items within their Why Pay More!? Value Meal. Offering burritos, nachos, and other signature Taco Bell items for 79¢, 89¢, or 99¢ got people’s attention, but their marketing experts thought the campaign needed more punch to drive business. The brand suggested that 50 Cent change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent, or 99 Cent. Unfortunately, Taco Bell did not contact the rapper to see if they could use his name while promoting their new menu. He was bothered by this and filed a lawsuit against
the fast food giant. The lawsuit claimed that Taco Bell made 50 Cent the star and focus of their nationwide campaign without seeking or obtaining his authorization. A spokesperson for Taco Bell claimed that the company “made a good faith, charitable offer to 50 Cent to change his name to either 79, 89 or 99 Cent for one day by rapping his order at a Taco Bell, and we would have been very pleased to make the $10,000 donation to the charity of his choice.” 50 Cent sued Taco Bell for $4 million. He won the lawsuit, but the settlement terms were not disclosed. This case serves as a great lesson to any business owner. Do not use a celebrity’s name or likeness for a marketing campaign without permission!
Photo: RiverNorthPhotography
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