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Birthday Boosts and Better Living
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MEANINGFUL MARCH MOMENTS I’ve always wanted more out of life.
six months before I’m completely healed and reaping the full rewards of the operation, but my spirits remain high as I continue to put up a good fight against old age. In many ways, I feel like I’m only now starting to truly live — and there’s so much more I still want to do. I didn’t start pursuing a career in law until I was 31 and had experienced two previous careers. It took me decades to truly figure out my path in life, but this extra time was worth it. At 53, I feel I’m in a position to be a positive, encouraging force for others. Naturally, I want to be a successful lawyer and maintain a solvent business, but helping people — from my clients to my team members here at the office — be the best versions of themselves will always be my primary motivator. Most of my case managers have been with me for more than eight years. I never want anyone to leave, but if they choose to move on, I’d want them to do so after having learned a great deal about themselves and sharpened their professional skill sets. Yes, compensation is important for any business to survive, but I’m most concerned with being genuine and helping people. Most of all, I want to age without growing old in spirit. The older I get, the more fearful of complacency I become. I’ve always believed in reaching beyond my immediate grasp and being willing to learn and grow personally, professionally, and intellectually. These reflections are based on more than just my latest lap around the sun, as March happens to be National Optimism Month. We all face hardships and painful moments in life, but our ultimate happiness and success in this world will always come down to our mindset. As Tony Robbins says, “Where focus goes, energy flows.” We simply don’t have the time to be static or complacent or focus all of our energy on bad things out of our control. Above all, the people in my life are the greatest birthday gift I can hope to receive. Thank you for your ongoing faith in Brauns Law Firm and for reading my words in this newsletter each month. I hope they help inspire you in some small way, and I wish you the strength, confidence, and determination to live an extraordinary life.
Before you assume this month’s cover article is going to be a downer, I assure you that I’m very happy with where I am personally and professionally. I turn 53 on March 6, and I’m grateful to experience this stage of life. My birthday is also a reminder of how much my family means to me, as my mother, younger brother, and I all have birthdays exactly seven days apart — which means I never miss anyone’s special day! I consider the wishes you make on your birthday more significant than New Year’s resolutions, as your birthday represents a new beginning for you as an individual. For mine, I wish to celebrate all I’ve accomplished but remind myself that I’m far from finished. In the January edition of this newsletter, I wrote about losing 115 pounds over two years by working out nonstop and changing my eating habits. As proud as I am of this achievement, I know there is always more work to be done. Recently, I underwent surgery to repair a tear in my right hip that had been preventing me from reaching my full physical potential. I’m about two weeks into my recovery as I write this message. Fortunately, the surgeon told me that I should be walking around normally within six weeks’ time, which roughly coincides with my birthday. It will likely take
“In many ways, I feel like I’m only now starting to truly live — and there’s so much more I still want to do.”
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How to Make Gardening a Family Adventure There’s nothing better than spending time with your kids outside, enjoying an entertaining, creative, and informative activity. But sometimes, these activities are hard to coordinate. Thankfully, gardening appeals to parents and kids from all walks of life. All you need is a dedicated area in your yard or patio and seeds, and you’re ready to get started. Let your kids choose the plants. soil or filling your planters. Help your children transplant their seeds or young plants directly into the area. Now, put them in charge of caring for the plants by checking on and watering them. You may want to follow behind to ensure they aren’t over or under-watering. Make it fun and informative! GET IN THE GAME GREEN THUMBS IN TRAINING
This is arguably the most crucial part of igniting your children’s interest in gardening. If you pick out the fruits, veggies, and flowers you want to grow and invite your kids to help plant, water, and pick, they may lose interest quickly. Instead, include them in the process from the get-go. Take them to the store and let them pick out seeds or plants. Encourage them to choose produce they already enjoy eating, making it even more fun for them! Just be sure their choices can grow in your area during the current season. Make space and plant together. After choosing your seeds, you must ensure your garden is ready to sustain life. Dedicate a section of your lawn or patio to your gardening efforts and start laying
You can get your kids more involved by encouraging them to research their plants and track their growth. They can even look online to see how their plants should be developing. Soon enough, those fruits and vegetables will be ready to eat, and you should let your children pick anything ripe when possible. Seeing the fruits of their labor (literally) will make this experience even more enlightening and enjoyable for them.
Need Help? Call Brauns “My wife and I were in a road accident last year and Brauns Law Firm represented our case. We are very satisfied with their services. Our case manager, Ms. Haily, was especially helpful throughout the process. Our case was represented by Ms. Brittne S. Ballenger-Jackson. She even helped us to get the compensation for the property damage. Overall, we are satisfied and will definitely recommend Brauns Law Firm.” — Rubayatur R. “Brauns Law Firm took care of my injury case. It was simple and straightforward. They helped me every step of the way. They did a great job taking care of my case and were there for me whenever I called regarding any questions I had.” — Najeff T.
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From Prison, With Love Keep on Track
What’s your sign? For some, the above question is a stereotypical icebreaker at countless singles’ nights. For others, it is an inquiry that offers insight into a person’s soul. No matter where you stand on the legitimacy of astrology, the practice has a fascinating history in its attempts to unlock the mysteries of human personalities and behavior. Babylonian Beginnings Although the exact date is a matter of debate, the 12 zodiac signs as we know them today can be traced back to around 1894 BC. They were established when the Babylonians — living in Mesopotamian cities near modern-day Iraq — devised the system to use the stars to understand human behaviors and characteristics more clearly. By mapping out fixed stars and various constellations, they created a system that assigned a sign to each of the 12 one-month periods of CREAMY TORTELLINI VEGETABLE SOUP Inspired by EatingWell.com WHAT YOUR ZODIAC REVEALS Signs of You
the year. Centuries later, the signs of the zodiac — and their respective dates and generally believed personality traits — are as follows: Aries March 21–April 19 Eager and competitive Taurus April 20–May 20 Strong and dependable Gemini May 21–June 20 Curious and kind Cancer June 21–July 22 Sentimental and compassionate Leo July 23–Aug. 22 Self-assured and outgoing Virgo Aug. 23–Sept. 22 Practical and analytical Libra Sept. 23–Oct. 22 Diplomatic and social Scorpio Oct. 23–Nov. 21 Passionate and stubborn Sagittarius Nov. 22–Dec. 21 Extroverted and funny Capricorn Dec. 22–Jan. 19 Serious and disciplined Aquarius Jan. 20–Feb. 18 Imaginative and original Pisces Feb. 19–March 20 Empathetic and wise The Elements Explained The 12 zodiac signs are divided into four groups based on the elements of nature: Earth (Capricorn, Virgo, Taurus), Fire (Leo, Sagittarius, Aries), Air (Gemini, Aquarius, Libra), and Water (Pisces, Scorpio, Cancer). Some astrology enthusiasts assign personality traits to these four groups as well: Fire signs are generally known for their passionate love of life, Earth signs focus on practical goals over adventurous dreams, Water signs often wear their emotions on their sleeves, and Air signs let their intellect and curiosity about the world around them guide their experiences. If you’re new to astrology, use this guide to determine whether those closest to you exhibit personality traits common to their sign. You’d be amazed by how accurate the zodiac signs can be.
Take a Break
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS 1.
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2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 cup peeled and chopped carrots 1 cup chopped yellow onion 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth 1 (15-oz) can (no salt added) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped 1/2 tsp ground pepper 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt 1 (9-oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini 1 (5-oz) package baby spinach
In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots and onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until onions are softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. 2. Add broth, tomatoes, fresh basil, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until carrots are slightly tender. 3. Stir in tortellini. Cook until pasta is tender. Reduce heat to medium-low. 4. Add baby spinach and cream. Cook until spinach is wilted. Serve and garnish with additional basil if desired.
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AQUAMARINE BASKETBALL BLUEBIRD CLOVER
GREEN IDES LEPRECHAUN MADNESS
PISCES SPRING TANGERINE TULIP
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1 cup heavy cream
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Inside This Issue 1 A Month for Changing Your Mindset Engage Your Kids With Fun Gardening Projects What Our Clients Are Saying Secrets of Stellar Signs
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Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup Take a Break Unwind in No Time
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Unknot and Unwind A short massage prompts your body to slow down. Your body responds strongly to touch, and the kneading motion of massages helps release tension. When stressed, our bodies naturally tense up, which can cause pain and discomfort. Massage can increase the elasticity of tissues, warm your muscles, and work to relax the nerves associated with stress. When your muscles and joints are at ease, your body produces feel-good hormones like serotonin. Dreamy Kneads When you can’t catch enough z’s, it significantly impacts your stress levels. Massages encourage deeper sleep by helping increase serotonin and melatonin, the sleep hormone. Direct pressure on muscles increases the production of comfy hormones and reduces cortisol, the hormone responsible for anxiety. A quick rub down before bed can ease you into a calm state, coaxing you to drift off to dreamland. 10 Minutes to Bliss If you want to experience the stress-melting benefits of a short massage, you don’t need to book an appointment with a professional. You can give yourself several massages, like a shoulder massage, using circular motions on each side. If you’re facing a stress headache, glide your hands across your forehead, applying a small amount of pressure. Start at your ears and massage each side of your head with your fingertips. Do this several times and finish with a scalp massage. So, the next time you feel anxious, get comfortable and take a few minutes for a massage. These small moments of relaxation can roll you into the day calmer and more balanced.
Feeling tense? Life’s twists and turns can cause your stress levels to skyrocket, leading to various health problems. But relief may be easier and quicker than you think. According to recent studies, just 10 minutes of massage can work wonders on your mood, activating your body’s system for overcoming stress. A quick massage is like hitting the reset button on your day, turning your anxiety into a sense of balance and calm. Let’s explore how you can transform tension into tranquility in just 10 minutes. 10 Minutes of Massage Can Reset Your Day Knead a Break?
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