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BERT’S BUZZ NOV/DEC 2025
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Learn to Loosen Up (Even on the Hard Days) What Gratitude, Laughter, and Dancing Taught Me About Stress
When I first heard that Nov. 14 is Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day, I’ll admit … I scoffed. It sounds like one of those made-up holidays that sneak onto calendars between National Doughnut Day and Take Your Dog to Work Day. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized we might actually need a day like this, especially now. The
Comedy restores us. A favorite of mine is Sebastian Maniscalco; his energy and physical humor are contagious. He is clean, clever, and downright hilarious. Even a few YouTube clips can shift the tone of an entire evening. And sometimes, the best therapy is dancing. My wife and I love to dance, whether it’s salsa, swing, or just in the kitchen while making dinner. I’ve learned that it’s impossible to stay in a bad mood when music is playing and your body starts to move. Dancing isn’t about skill or rhythm; it’s about letting go. You can’t brood while you boogie. It’s a joyful surrender, a small rebellion against the heaviness that tries to settle in.
world feels heavy more often than not, and we’ve all gotten very good at carrying the weight. Maybe too good. Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day is a small, silly reminder that we don’t have to carry everything all the time. When stress settles on my shoulders and my mind is spinning on a hamster wheel, I know I need to interrupt that cycle. My first move is simple: gratitude. It’s not always easy. Bad days are inevitable. There will be evenings when I’ll sit there, pen in hand, staring at my blank “gratitude” journal, thinking, I’m not grateful for anything today. This day was a disaster. But habit wins out. I’ll jot down something minimal like “the sun came up” or “my kid laughed at dinner.” That tiny spark ignites something bigger.
But loosening up isn’t just about what we do. It’s about how we think. There’s an idea I keep on my refrigerator and scattered all around my home, a visual reminder called “Above the Line Thinking.” The idea is simple: Every thought lives above or below an invisible line. Below the line are the heavier issues, such as procrastination, excuses, fear, and blame. Above the line are their opposites, like action, results, love, and responsibility. Life pulls us below the line more often than
we’d like, but we can climb back up. It’s not denial; it’s discipline, choosing to look at the same situation from a higher vantage point. That shift in perspective is powerful, but it’s not always natural. I’ve had to learn to curate my environment, be it people, media, or even conversations. Some people lift you up; others, unintentionally, keep you below the line. It doesn’t mean cutting everyone out or labeling anyone
Suddenly, I remember a moment that wasn’t so bad: a small kindness or a bit of laughter. One thought leads to another, and before I know it, I have three, maybe five things written down. And then I realize the simple truth: It wasn’t a terrible day after all.
Gratitude is my first antidote to stress. But when my thoughts still feel heavy, I turn to movement. Exercise pulls me out of my head and back into my body. When I’m running, lifting, or even taking a walk, I’m not obsessing about the “what ifs.” My focus narrows to my breath, stride, and rhythm of movement. I don’t consider it escapism; it feels more like recalibration, a reset. Then there’s laughter, preferably with the people I love most. My wife and I love to balance out the heavier things we watch, maybe a heartbreaking documentary or a tense drama, with something light.
“toxic.” It means noticing how you feel after you spend time with someone. Lighter or heavier? Drained or energized? We all have to make quiet, difficult choices about where we invest our energy.
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Helping Parents Protect With Purpose, Not Panic
YOUR GUIDE TO SAFER HOMES, BRAVER KIDS, AND HAPPIER PARENTS
Poison and Choking Prevention •
November is National Child Safety and Protection Month, a reminder that while keeping our children safe is every parent’s top priority, protection also means allowing kids room to learn, explore, and build confidence. The reality is sobering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 12,000 children die every year in the U.S. from unintentional injuries , most of which could have been prevented. From car accidents to household hazards, small steps can make a big difference. But safety doesn’t mean shielding kids from every bump or bruise; it’s about teaching, guiding, and preparing them for independence. Everyday Safety at Home Many accidents happen in familiar spaces: our kitchens, bathrooms, driveways, and living rooms. Fortunately, most are easily preventable with awareness and a few consistent habits. Here are simple, high- impact ways to keep your home safe. Car Safety • Check car seat installation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a free online tool to guide you. • Keep kids in the back seat. It’s the safest spot in any vehicle. • Model good behavior: Buckle up every time. Fire and Burn Prevention • Install smoke alarms and test them monthly. • Create a family fire escape plan and practice it together. • Avoid holding your child while carrying hot food or drinks, as one quick spill can cause serious burns. Water Safety • Never leave a child unattended near water. Even a few inches in a bathtub or bucket can be dangerous. • Teach swimming skills early and ensure adult supervision around pools, ponds, or lakes. • Always check water depth before diving, and ensure kids wear life jackets near open water.
Lock away cleaning products, detergents, medications, and batteries. For toddlers, cut food into small pieces and avoid hard or round items such as grapes, popcorn, and peanuts.
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• Keep small toys, balloons, and loose change off the floor where little explorers might find them. As you practice these safety routines, it’s also essential to teach children that some risk, like learning to ride a bike, is part of growing up, but doing it safely is key. Teaching Awareness, Not Fear It’s tempting to swoop in at the first sign of danger, but sometimes the best lesson comes from letting kids figure things out safely. Whether it’s learning to cross the street with an adult, taking a small tumble while riding a bike, or approaching a dog carefully, these experiences help kids develop judgment and resilience. When it comes to dogs, for example, teach children not to run toward animals they don’t know or stare directly at them, behaviors that dogs can perceive as threats. Encourage calm, gentle introductions instead. Smart Safety Without the Helicoptering Finding the right balance between supervision and independence takes intention. Let your child take appropriate risks, like climbing the jungle gym, while maintaining clear boundaries. A scraped knee can teach problem-solving, while consistent safety habits (like wearing a helmet or buckling up) teach lifelong responsibility. At Parnall Law, we’ve seen firsthand how preventable injuries can change families’ lives. We’re here to help protect what matters most and to remind every parent that awareness, balance, and preparation are the best tools for keeping kids safe.
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Stop, Look, and Wonder Sidewalk Telescopes Are Bringing the Universe to You
I’ve also found inspiration in the idea of joy, not as fleeting happiness, but as something deeper, more stable. I’ve been reading “The Book of Joy,” which captures conversations between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. One line struck me: “We can face suffering in a way that ennobles rather than embitters.” That’s what I want. To face the hard things without becoming hard myself. To stay open, even when life isn’t easy. Gratitude, movement, laughter, meditation, and even dancing aren’t about ignoring reality. They’re about meeting it with strength and lightness simultaneously. Life will always deliver a mix of joy and heartbreak, ease and struggle. The only constant we control is our mindset. And while it takes effort to stay above the line, it’s worth it because the air is better up there. So, this Nov.14, I’ll take Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day seriously, even if the name makes me smile. I’ll probably write in my gratitude journal, go for a run, maybe dance around the kitchen with Marta, and laugh until the day feels a little lighter.
Imagine walking down a city sidewalk and seeing a telescope pointed toward the sky. There aren’t any ticket lines or admission fees, only a friendly smile and a view of Saturn’s rings or the craters of the moon. That’s what’s happening thanks to a growing global movement bringing astronomy directly to the people, right on the streets! In cities worldwide, astronomy enthusiasts are setting up powerful telescopes in parks, on sidewalks, and in busy downtown areas. Their mission is simple: to share the wonders of the universe with anyone who happens to walk by. The best part is there’s no experience required. All you need is a little curiosity. The movement is called #popscope (short for pop-up telescope). Founded in Ottawa, Ontario, in 2014, it has expanded to include hundreds of cities in Canada, the U.S., Ireland, and India. Volunteers, often amateur astronomers or passionate stargazers, invite strangers to peer into the sky, and many people are left speechless. It’s a great reminder that we all live under the same stunning sky. These spontaneous sidewalk star parties are making science more accessible, especially for communities that don’t have easy access to observatories or science museums. Beyond amazing educational opportunities, the pop-up telescope events spark something deeply human: connection. As people gather to look up, they share a sense of awe that transcends background, language, and age. It’s hard not to feel united when staring at the vastness of space. This isn’t about high-tech gear or flashy presentations; instead, it’s an opportunity to pause for a moment amidst the noise and hustle and realize the universe is right there, waiting to be admired. Thanks to these sidewalk astronomers, more and more people are getting that chance.
—Bert Parnall
Apple-Cranberry Salad
This tangy and sweet apple-cranberry salad will steal the show at your Thanksgiving feast this year.
• 6 slices of bacon • 1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette Ingredients
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries • 1 Honeycrisp apple,
peeled and thinly sliced • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced • 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1/3 cup olive oil • 2 tbsp raw honey • 8 oz fresh baby spinach, rinsed and dried
Directions 1. In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove it from the pan and set on a paper towel-lined plate to cool. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil, and honey. Set aside. 3. In a large bowl, add spinach, cranberries, apple slices, red onion, and feta. Crumble bacon pieces over the top. Use salad forks to toss ingredients thoroughly. 4. Add dressing to the salad and toss again until well-coated.
To volunteer for the group, visit their website at PopScope.org.
So, the next time you’re strolling through the city and see a telescope a stranger has set up, don’t walk past it. Stop. Look. Wonder. You just might see Jupiter’s moons or Saturn’s rings, and you’ll definitely walk away with a smile!
Inspired by WanderlustAndWellness.org
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Above the Line (and on the Dance Floor): Bert’s Guide to Letting Loose
2
Let Kids Be Kids Without Risking Their Safety
3
Apple-Cranberry Salad
The Global Movement Making Astronomy for Everyone
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The Body’s Natural Reset Button
Inhale the Facts Deep Breathing Is Your Scientific Shortcut to Stress Relief
When you feel angry or stressed out, a few deep breaths can be more powerful than they seem. That inhale is like a reset button for your body, sending signals to your nervous system, slowing your heart rate, and quieting the mental storm. Deep breathing isn’t just hot air; it’s scientifically proven to be one of the simplest hacks for calming the mind and body. Inhale deeply, and let’s explore what happens internally when you breathe back to balance. Most of the time, you don’t think about breathing; your body naturally handles this task as you go about your day. But when you control your breath, you trigger a rest and digest mode that slows your
heart rate and sends more blood to your gut to help digestion. The brain manages breathing and heart rate in the same parts of the brain, and they work together. With each breath you take, your lungs expand and the pressure on your heart and blood vessels shifts. This rhythm directly links how you breathe and how calm or alert you feel. The slower and more relaxed your breath is, the less your internal systems are gearing up for a battle. Deep breathing reduces stress and triggers your blood pressure and nervous system to relax. It doesn’t just change your mental state; it can also ease minor physical pain, such as headaches or an
upset stomach. Pain stresses your body out, so easing your aches will help your parasympathetic nervous system take the reins and focus on recovery rather than alertness. To get the full benefits from this mindfulness technique, sit upright and take a slow, deep inhale through your nose. Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest to feel your rib cage expand and your belly rise as the lungs fill. Keep this up until you feel a wave of calm come over you. So, next time you’re feeling on edge, inhale and see why, sometimes, the simplest science is a breath of fresh air.
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