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WWW.OBIORAHFIELDS.COM | 404-994-6218 | AUGUST 2019
WHY? JUST BECAUSE
THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING FOR LEARNING’S SAKE
W hen it comes to major holidays, August is definitely a drought month. But there’s one, little known holiday on Aug. 27 that I think deserves more attention: Just Because Day. Just Because Day is exactly what it sounds like — a day to do something just because you want to do it. You don’t need any ulterior motive or overarching plan for whatever skill or experience you have in mind. Just get out there and do it! This holiday reminds me of when I taught myself the sign language alphabet at age 13. I didn’t have any big reason for learning it; I just saw it in an encyclopedia and committed it to memory. I don’t know many words in sign language beyond what I can spell with the alphabet, but even years after learning it, I can still sign the whole alphabet. The end of August is when students and members of the workforce really get back to work. Many of our employees at our practice are just finishing up their vacations, and their hearts and minds are focused on grinding straight through the autumn months to Thanksgiving and Christmas. The end of August is the beginning of a season of incredible focus and single-mindedness, but I don’t think it has to be.
So many students go to school just to get the grade, and so many workers and employees just work for the weekend, the paycheck, and the holidays. We’re always rushing onto the next thing, and anything that has the potential to distract us is pushed aside. But whatever happened to learning for learning’s sake? I’m willing to bet that everyone has a skill, an experience, or maybe a vacation destination they’ve continually put off because it doesn’t work with their overall goals.
to learn or do? Maybe there’s a local tourist destination you’ve always wanted to visit, or maybe you’ve wanted to learn a few chords on the guitar. Who knows? Maybe those experiences will open up new doors in your life, and all you had to do to find your true calling was step off that safe, single-minded path. At the very least, you’ll learn a little something and experience some satisfaction for finally doing that thing you’ve been putting off. We shouldn’t forget our goals, but we don’t have to be bound by them, either. I hope that more and more people will become okay with doing things “just because.” On a final note, I would be remiss not to mention another important day in August: my sister Tracy’s birthday. Happy Birthday Tracy, and here’s to a terrific year ahead of you!
“WE SHOULDN’T FORGET OUR GOALS, BUT WE DON’T HAVE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, EITHER. I HOPE THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WILL BECOME OKAY WITH DOING THINGS ‘JUST BECAUSE.’”
Before we all take the plunge into this season of focus and productivity, I would encourage everyone to take Just Because Day to at least ponder what experiences you’ve been putting off. What have you always wanted
–Teri Fields
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Regardless of your age, if you have assets in your name, then it’s never too early to have your will ready. U.S. News & World Report says that many people neglect to draft their wills until it’s too late, either because they’re afraid to admit their own mortality or because they feel they’re too busy. If you’re considering drafting a will, then it’s probably time to get started. Here are a few important things to keep in mind while you write. LIST YOUR ASSETS Before you start working on your will, take some time to identify and list out all of your assets. These can include everything from credit cards and retirement funds to even — according to U.S. News & World Report — frozen embryos left over from DON’T OVERLOOK THESE KEY CONSIDERATIONS 5 THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN WRITING YOUR WILL
THE INCREDIBLE RISE OF PICKLEBALL A SPORT FOR ALL AGES BECOMES A CRAZE AMONG OLDER ADULTS You’ve probably heard of pickleball, especially given its rising popularity in the United States and Canada, but you may be wondering what the big deal is about this relatively new fad. Pickleball is an awesome, low-impact sport that people of all ages can enjoy. It’s great exercise and great fun, and it’s the perfect game for family get-togethers. Pickleball originated on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in 1965. It was the creation of three fathers — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — who needed to come up with something to keep the little ones entertained and out of their hair. Soon, however, it became popular among the adults, and they ended up spending more time on the court than their children. “Frankly,” McCallum says, “the kids got pushed out.” Since its early days, pickleball has transformed from an ad-hoc game to a full-fledged sport, complete with official rules, equipment, and leagues. Despite the more formal structure in place today, pickleball is incredibly easy to pick up and play. Investing in some paddles and balls won’t cost more than $100, and you can easily convert a tennis or badminton court for pickleball. One of the appeals of pickleball for older adults is that it is not excessively strenuous. It also doesn’t have the steep learning curve and high barrier to entry that sports like tennis or golf do. Due to the nature of a pickleball, which contains strategically placed holes similar to those of a whiffle ball, the game is much more about finesse than pure power or athleticism. While you can definitely hone your skills with practice, you’ll start having fun from day one. In addition to being a fun form of exercise, pickleball also offers older adults the chance to socialize with their peers. Leagues often lead to long-term friendships. Courts are small, and each game consists of only four players, making it easy to engage in some casual conversation or playful, competitive banter between points.
in vitro fertilization. If you’re not sure what is considered an asset, that should be the first thing you research.
CONSIDER JOINT PROPERTY Because it’s under the ownership of two people, joint property with a spouse or other individual falls outside the
purview of a will. If you share ownership of any of your assets, consider whether that ownership is joint or under “tenancy in common,” meaning each owner has a separate, transferable interest. The latter should be part of your will.
DON’T FORGET BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS Beneficiaries named for assets like IRAs are important to note, because their designation at the time of the account’s creation supplants one made in the will. If you’d like to change a beneficiary for an IRA or similar account, you’ll need to make that change at the source. TAKE TIME WITH APPOINTMENT DECISIONS If you have young children, then one of the most important parts of your will is the appointment of their guardians, who will become responsible for them when you’re gone. Don’t rush this choice. Similarly, take your time deciding on a trusted executor who will carry out the terms of your will. HELP NEVER HURTS A will is a complex document, and it’s always best to get professional advice when working on one. Our experts at Obiorah Fields will be happy to sit down with you and discuss what’s best for yours or review the document at any step in the process.
If you’ve never picked up a paddle, consider joining a league or buying a set for your next family outing. You can introduce your grandkids to a fun new sport — and then school them for the bulk of an afternoon.
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CLAIMING PTSD HOW TO EARN VA COMPENSATION
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, wasn’t officially recognized as a diagnosable disorder until 1980. Before that it was called “shell shock,” and instead of getting the help they needed, soldiers suffering the fallout of battlefield trauma were shamed by their superiors and feared by their peers. Thankfully, veterans dealing with PTSD today are given much better treatment. They can even claim disability compensation from the VA to deal with their symptoms, which can include unwanted memories of the event, nightmares, angry outbursts, emotional numbness, and feelings of worry or guilt. Did the incident triggering your disorder (a serious injury, personal or sexual trauma, sexual violation, or threat of the same) happen while you were in the service? Has a doctor diagnosed you with PTSD? Are your symptoms preventing you from functioning as well as you used to? If so, then you’re eligible for VA disability benefits. The process of filing a PTSD claim with the VA isn’t simple, but our team at Obiorah Fields can help you through the process. That includes rounding up all the paperwork and other materials you’ll need to make your claim, like your DD214
or other separation documents, service treatment records,
medical evidence related to your injury, a completed statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder form,
and, if your PTSD is the result of personal assault, a completed Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder Secondary to Personal Assault form. If your claim is accepted, you can get benefits including health care, compensation payments, and treatment for your symptoms. If your claim is denied, then we can work with you to appeal your case. Our goal at Obiorah Fields is to get you on the road to recovery as soon as possible and receive all of the financial help and medical support you deserve. If you’d like to engage us to handle your PTSD claim, please call our office at (404) 495-5258. We’re always happy to help.
WORD SEARCH
ROASTED CORN SALSA
INGREDIENTS
• 2 medium ears of corn, shucked • 1 jalapeño or Fresno chile, seeded and thinly sliced • 1/2 red onion, diced • 1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped • 1/4 bunch cilantro leaves, sliced • Juice of 1 lime • Kosher salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat a cast-iron skillet to high. Char corn, turning occasionally, for 10–14 minutes until kernels begin to blacken in spots. 2. Using a sharp knife, remove corn kernels from cobs and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. With a wooden spoon or potato masher, gently crush corn to release starch and juices. 4. Add jalapeño, onion, tomato, and cilantro. Mix to combine.
AUGUST BACK CHILDREN CHILLY
COOL END FALL LEAVES
SCHOOL SUMMER SUPPLIES TEACHERS
5. Top with lime juice and season with salt. 6. Serve alongside your favorite tortilla chips.
Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Celebrating ‘Just Because’ Day
1 2
Why You Should Play Pickleball
5 Things to Think About When Writing Your Will
How to File a Claim for PTSD
3
Roasted Corn Salsa
The Art of Stargazing
4
THE ART OF STARGAZING
HELPING HUMANS SLOW DOWN AND LOOK UP
Modern humans are stuck in a routine of expected and constant industriousness. But with all this rushing, people often drag themselves home at night with no energy left to enjoy the most splendid show nature has to offer: the wondrous night sky. Most people go through life looking straight ahead, but if they would stop and peer skyward, they’d bear witness to a massive, unexplored frontier made up of the moon in its all phases, burning stars sailing through the sky, constellations with epic origin stories, and meteor showers bright enough to warrant sunglasses. If you’re looking for a hobby to help you slow down and appreciate the world around you, stargazing is a great option. Here are some tips to get you started. 1. THE HIGHER, THE BETTER If you’re a city dweller, meander a little way out of town or try to find a tall building to keep the light pollution to a minimum. 2. EXTRA SET OF EYES While novice stargazers often want to immediately throw their money at a new telescope, astronomy experts recommend starting with binoculars instead. You’ll need
to identify several anchor planets or constellations to help you navigate the sky before using a telescope.
3. UTILIZE ASSETS Put your phone to good use by downloading apps like Stellarium, Starwalk, and Google Sky Map. Each of these apps offers a unique benefit for aspiring stargazers. For example, Starwalk lets you point your phone at the sky to see stars, constellations, and planets in real time based on your location. 4. MARK YOUR CALENDAR In 1972, beloved singer-songwriter John Denver wrote about a meteor shower he witnessed during a camping trip in Colorado. He describes the scene by singing, “I’ve seen it raining fire in the sky.” The “fire” he recounted was actually the Perseids meteor shower, the most recognized shower on Earth. This astrological wonder takes place every year from July 17 to Aug. 24. During this time, viewers should be able to see shooting stars associated with the Perseids, but the shower reaches its maximum rate of activity on Aug. 12–13 this year. Grab some friends and family, and head outdoors to put your newfound stargazing knowledge to work.
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