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“I was a child Who ran full of laughter I was a child who lived for today My eyes full of sunshine My heart full of smiles I was a child for a day” ~ Cat Stevens, “Child for a Day”
“But when we really think about it, we don’t feel grown up inside.”
If you haven’t heard “Child for a Day” by Cat Stevens, find a video online, relax, and enjoy. Stevens’ thoughtful song captures the fleeting nature of childhood: vulnerable, yet curious, creative, and full of wonder.
But the song takes a somber turn — going from youthful laughter, sunshine, and smiles to aimless grown-ups.
“We are the men who worry of nothing We are the men who fight without aim Who listen to no one, yet speak of our wisdom We are the pawns in the game”
Like many great songs, it made me ponder: When did we get so bogged down, overstressed, overtired, and overworked that we lost our childhood spirit? When did I stop shooting baskets in the driveway? Or lying in the grass watching the clouds drift by? Dr. Seuss once said, “Adults are just outdated children.” We didn’t curdle overnight like bad milk. We didn’t go to bed one day as a child and wake up the next as an adult. So, when did we lose that inner child? I think over time, it’s just the constant grind of “adulting,” and not making the effort to connect with our memories and past experiences, that wears us down. Kids see endless possibilities; they find joy wherever they can. They are carefree, and they live in the moment. How can you tap into your inner child? Re-read one of your favorite childhood books. Watch a movie you loved as a child. Play a game. Candyland was a fun one for me as a child (Monopoly, not so much simply because it takes too long!). Pull out a photo album and reminisce — you’ll be surprised how many memories and stories are triggered. Growing up, you didn’t have to do things — you did them because you wanted to. So, find some things that awaken you. Hop on a bike, take a swim, or go fishing. You can
even join an art class, dance class, or book club. Find volunteer work that matches your passion. The options are endless.
Writer Christopher Moore said, “ Children see magic because they look for it.”
At some point, we got mired down in adulthood and stopped looking for that magic. If you ever watch young kids play, you see the wonder, optimism, and joy for the simple things. Yes, we have grown up. But when we really think about it, we don’t feel grown up inside. There is still that residue of our childhood, that kindling just waiting for a spark to ignite it. As Pablo Picasso once proclaimed, “Youth has no age.” As we begin another beautiful Michigan summer, let’s all commit to looking for that magic wherever we can. And to lead by example, I’m turning off my computer, heading out to the driveway to shoot some baskets, then lying down in the grass to watch the clouds drift by. My neighbors may think I’ve lost it, but, hey, what do they know?
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Bored With Wordle? Try This 5 FREE GAMES TO EXERCISE YOUR BRAIN
Star Wordle: As you probably guessed, this is Wordle for “Star Wars” fans. The process is the same as with normal Wordle, but all of the five-letter words come from the “Star Wars” books and movies. Test your knowledge at StarWordle.com. Nerdle: Love words and math? This is the Wordle spinoff for you. Instead of guessing a word, players try to fill in a daily math equation and solution. Solve them at NerdleGame.com. Worldle: Leaving words behind entirely, in this game you guess the name of a country or territory from its outline! You have six chances, and each time you miss one, the game will give you more information about where the country is located relative to you. Play now at Worldle.teuteuf.fr. Words With Friends: This isn’t a Wordle spinoff, but if you’ve never played it, you’ll probably love it! Words With Friends is basically Scrabble for just two players, and you can play online or over the app. Like in Scrabble, you compete to score the most points. Spell those long words and win at WordsWithFriends.com.
If you’re one of the 300,000 people who play the vocabulary-themed guessing game Wordle every day, we have good news: There are more online games just like it! Wordle went viral in October 2021. Although few people know it, the game actually started with romance. Software engineer Josh Wardle (yep, that’s where the name “Wordle” comes from) created it for his partner, Palak Shah. According to NPR, Palak loves word games — so to keep her entertained during COVID-19, Josh made her one! In January, he sold it to The New York Times for more than $1 million. Guessing the word of the day in five tries is addicting, and so is sharing your success on social media. But that spark might not last forever. To avoid total Wordle burnout and/or keep the fun going between daily puzzles, try these five other online games that also involve words, guessing games, or both. Quordle: Wordle masters love Quordle, which is the same basic game — except you have to guess four words at once on four different boards. You have just nine tries to solve the four daily puzzles, so bring your A game! Try it at Quordle.com .
3 Tips for a Better Start to the Work Week
little lost when it’s all back to normal come Monday. It’s okay to treat yourself, but don’t get too crazy! Unplug from work over the weekend.
It hits us all pretty hard sometimes: the Monday blues. Friday afternoon is so exciting, followed by a weekend jam-packed with fun activities. But then, Sunday night approaches, and those “Sunday scaries” settle in.
Why is Monday always so dreaded?
Studies show that many people’s moods reach their all- time lows on Mondays. There are some science-backed explanations for this that include your body’s natural cycle being altered, a shift in sleep pattern, and a “hangover” from the weekend, meaning after many fun activities, our bodies are drained! However, the biggest reason is simply that returning to work is always a bit of a bummer. We’d all rather still be at home or doing something fun!
If you get your work emails automatically sent to your phone, don’t peek at them over the weekend — it can wait. Disconnecting from work not only helps you to get some time away from the office to recharge, but it also develops a healthy work-home balance. Don’t overbook your Mondays. Sometimes, late in the week, we have a tendency to push things off until Monday. But, don’t do that! When at all possible, avoid scheduling big meetings or important tasks on Monday. Give yourself some time and grace to gradually settle back into your work routine! By doing these three things, you’re sure to feel a little bit more refreshed, recharged, and ready to go once Monday rolls around! And always remember, Friday will soon be here again!
Here’s a list of some ways to combat those Monday blues!
Maintain your routine. Over the weekend, stick with your normal Monday– Friday eating, sleeping, and self-care routine. When you deviate from your way of eating, the amount of sleep that you get, the times that you wake up, and your workouts over the weekend, your body is left feeling a
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H20 — A Crucial Element
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER HYDRATION
Roughly 60% of the body is made up of water. If you’ve ever heard the 8x8 rule, then you know that it’s recommended that humans should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. While that may seem like a lot to some, staying hydrated is essential to our bodies for many reasons. Boosts Physical Performance If your body becomes dehydrated during physical activity, your body’s ability to control its temperature may suffer, your motivation may drop, and you may start to feel very fatigued very quickly. Exercising or exerting yourself while dehydrated can make the activity feel much more difficult as your body overheats and reaches exhaustion. When it comes to dehydration, it’s often said that once you notice your body is dehydrated, it’s too late. So, drink up early and regularly! Prevents Headaches If you’ve ever been dehydrated, you likely are familiar with the dehydration headache that accompanies the condition. To reduce and prevent these head pounders, drink enough water throughout the day, starting with a full glass first thing in the morning! Helps Digestion When your body is hydrated, your body is able to optimally function, including your digestive system. Constipation is a common symptom of not drinking enough water. Thus, to avoid things from getting backed up, drink up! Carbonated mineral water is believed to be especially effective in relieving symptoms of constipation and indigestion. Helps You Maintain a Healthy Weight Water both increases your metabolism and helps you feel fuller. If you’ve ever been very dehydrated, you may have also felt very hungry. But you may be confusing hunger for dehydration, and this is a large reason that many overeat. The next time you feel like you need a bite to eat, try drinking some water first to see if you were just thirsty or are truly hungry as well! Maintaining proper hydration is important for more reasons too. It lubricates joints, regulates body temperature, and helps prevent sickness. Are you drinking enough water? Consult with your doctor to find out just how much H2O you should be drinking on a regular basis.
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Helpful Resources • Is your estate plan up to date? Ask us about our FREE Estate Planning Check-up. Call our office or email Julie@mtolaw.com.
• Don’t miss Glenn on “Senior Law
Radio,” WHMI FM 93.5 every Sunday at 8 a.m. You can also listen live (or to previous shows) on WHMI.com.
• Questions about your money? Do you need help with your financial goals, investment management, or retirement planning? Glenn has partnered with his personal financial advisor, Brad Jerome, to bring expert financial services to our clients. Brad meets with you right in our office — no cost, no obligation, and no pressure. Just an opportunity to discuss your goals with a top-notch financial advisor to see where your path might lead. You can reach Brad directly at 517.301.3070. • Let us be your trusted advisor for all your legal matters. We have grown with the referrals we receive from our clients. We want to return the favor by helping you find a great attorney outside the field of estate planning, elder law, and probate. Our clients often call us in need of an attorney who focuses on personal injury, auto accidents, elder and nursing home abuse, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability, and many other areas. To get the best results, you need an experienced attorney to help. If you want a referral, call our office or email Julie@ mtolaw.com. We are glad to help!
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MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150 915 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 6 Howell, Michigan 48843
What’s Inside? 1 Inner Child Magic
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Move Over, Wordle
Monday Blues Be Gone!
Prioritizing Water Intake
Helpful Resources
3 Dreamy Northeastern Hiking Trails
Get Your Hiking Boots On!
Want to feel like you’ve stepped into a lush dream? You don’t need to travel too far to experience truly stunning outdoor adventures. The U.S. has plenty within our borders! Here are just a few, located in our Northeastern states. No. 1: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire If you want to visit an enchanted forest, look no further than White Mountain National Forest! Whether you want to hike its various mountain ranges to spy some gorgeous views, wind through an endless sea of trees, or spot a plethora of unique local fauna and flora, this beautiful national forest has a trail for everyone. You can even hike the Appalachian Trail to walk a mile in our American ancestors’ shoes. No. 2: Stepstone Falls (Ben Utter Trail), Rhode Island If you’re in Rhode Island, especially in spring, you won’t want to miss this perfect trail. Follow this walk along a picturesque river and you’ll see
fabulous slabs, cascades, woods, and much more. Unlike the popular — and often busy — White Mountain trails, this one is relatively quiet with its narrow foot path. It’s also a gentle walk, being mostly flat with some alternating, gentle ups and downs. It’s a great walk for all ages.
No. 3: Camel’s Hump Trail, Vermont As the third highest peak in the state, Camel’s Hump Trail offers unbeatable views in nearly every direction. It’s easy to reach the trailhead, as it’s just off Camel’s Hump Road with a small parking area for visitors. It’s very convenient, but make sure to arrive early in warmer months and on weekends — the road is not an option for parking. The trail offers stunning views of Vermont because of the high elevation, but it may be challenging if you’re afraid of heights. The last part of the trail is quite steep, but once you reach the peak, you’ll see an incredible 360-degree view of the surrounding area. On a clear day, you can even see Canada!
If you want to live out your outdoor dreams, these are excellent places to start! Give them a try!
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