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03/22
THE MOTTLEY CREW REVIEW
www.MottleyLawFirm.com | (804) 823-2011
SO LONG, LADY LUCK —WE DON’T NEED YOU!
MY TAKE ON THE LUCK OF THE IRISH
This month’s newsletter is going out a little later than usual due to my busy workload these days. It just so happens I’m writing it on one of my favorite holidays of the year — St. Patrick’s Day! It’s got me thinking about luck. I have more than a drop of Irish blood in me, but I’ve never really believed in the traditional notion of blind luck. The idea that there’s a mystical force floating around out there that hits people at random just never sat right with me. Honestly, I don’t think we even need that sort of luck — but maybe that’s the annoying optimist in me talking. I think people need to make their own luck by not being so afraid, taking chances, and being an optimist. And to be clear, I am an optimist. Sometimes, I am told by others that my goals are “unrealistic.” I think those people are pessimists (although what they will say is something like, “I’m not a pessimist, I’m a realist.”) My eternal optimism is a bit unusual for a lawyer. Years ago, a friend of mine drove that home when we were involved in a very difficult case together. We didn’t know it at the time, but the case was doomed for failure. Everything went wrong from day one all the way to the bitter end. At one point in the middle of the gloom, my colleague remarked, “You know what, you remind me of an old cartoon.”
“What cartoon?” I asked.
He explained, “Two children walk into a room filled with a giant pile of horse manure. Kid No. 1 says, ‘Oh my God, look at this mess!’ and kid No. 2 says, ‘Yeah, but there’s got to be a pony around here somewhere!’”
Does my positive outlook mean everything that happens to me is hunky dory and happy? Heck no! But I think that in a way, optimism lets me create my own luck — and you can do the same thing. Have you ever noticed that good things tend to happen to optimistic people? I have, and I think it’s because our attitude creates our reality. If you moan and complain all the time, you won’t attract opportunities. But if you seize the day with a positive attitude, the universe will reward you for that. All I need to do to see proof of that is look at my referral relationships. I went into all of these cases with a positive attitude, and I left with lifelong friends who continue to send me important work. Some people might call what I just described luck, but I don’t agree. Luck happens at random. If you choose to be optimistic, you’re the master of your own fate. You’re powerful — no matter your situation. If you’re in a tough spot right now, consider using the power of optimism to your advantage. You might be surprised by the lessons you learn and the opportunities that land in your lap!
“You’re definitely the second kid,” he added.
It’s true that I always focus on finding the positive. I even took that horrible, miserable, costly case in stride. Instead of falling into a depression about it and becoming gun shy, I asked myself, “Okay, what can I learn from this experience?” I realized that there were certain things about that case that made it too risky. Since then, I’ve seen similar cases walk in my door. Because of my horrible experience in the earlier case, I recognized the shortfalls in those matters right away and turned them down. As a bonus, even though the case was doomed, in the process of working it, I met other lawyers who I still work with today. “HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED THAT GOOD THINGS TEND TO HAPPEN TO OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE? I HAVE, AND I THINK IT’S BECAUSE OUR ATTITUDE CREATES OUR REALITY.”
–Kevin Mottley
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5 WAYS TO DEAL WITH ANNOYING ROBOCALLS PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY AND KICK SCAMMERS TO THE CURB According to the latest data, scammers and telemarketers make 1,528 robocalls to Americans every single second . No wonder they’re driving us all crazy! Some of these calls are legitimate reminders about doctor’s appointments and payment plans, but around 55% of them are just nuisances — and we can’t rely on the government to stop them. If you’re sick of hearing about “your car’s extended warranty” or the “student loans” you paid off 40 years ago, try these five tips to cut down on robocalls and outwit scammers. 1. Explore your carrier’s free tools. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all offer services to cut down on scam calls. Some of them are free and/or come with your phone, but others you have to pay for or activate. If you have Verizon, for example, you can download the “Verizon Call Filter” app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Visit your carrier’s website or call them to learn about the tools they offer. 2. Download an ad blocker. For extra protection, you can download a separate ad blocker from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Hiya is a free app that will give you caller ID and block spam calls, and Nomorobo is an award-winning option that’s free for landlines and costs $1.99 per month for cellphones. 3. When in doubt, let it ring out. If you don’t recognize the number calling, don’t answer. You can always call back if they leave a legitimate voicemail. 4. Suspect spam? Hang up. So, you accidentally answered a spam call. Whether it’s a person or a robot on the line, hang up immediately! Even saying your name or the word “yes” could set you up for identity theft. 5. Handle voicemails with care. If you get a suspicious voicemail, never call the number or visit the website given by the caller. Instead, Google the company or agency they claimed to be with and call that number. If the real agency has no idea about the call, you’ve just escaped a trap. By taking all five of these steps, you can protect yourself and your wallet from Ponzi schemes, identity thieves, and annoying telemarketers. For even more specific advice, visit AARP.com and search “The Definitive Guide to Reducing Robocalls.”
There’s one thing from the 9/11 terrorist attacks none of us will ever forget: the image of New Yorkers jumping hopelessly from the towers to escape the flames. It’s seared into our collective minds. But as a country, we’ve forgotten an earlier NYC disaster that drove people to the same extreme: the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire killed 146 garment workers and injured 78 more. Most of them were teenage girls working in unsafe conditions. They died because the doors to their floor were locked, trapping them in the flaming sweatshop. It’s a terrible story, but it had an incredibly positive legacy. Thanks to those girls, workers all over the country are now entitled to workers’ compensation if they’re injured on the job. Back in 1911, those protections didn’t exist! After the fire, New York City passed its first workers’ compensation laws in 1914. Then, a woman named Francis Perkins, who witnessed the fire, went on a crusade to improve the lives of workers all over the country. Eventually, President Franklin D. Roosevelt named her the Secretary of Labor! According to the Francis Perkins Center, she fought for basic protections like the 40-hour workweek, minimum wage, unemployment compensation, an end to child labor, workers’ compensation, and more. Today, the laws put in motion by the fire in 1911 help our team fight for clients injured in their Virginia workplaces. Employers here are obligated to compensate injured workers and buy workers’ compensation insurance to cover workplace injuries. That means if you’re hurt on the job, you’re likely entitled to money for your medical expenses and lost wages! We’ve come a long way since 1911, but workers’ compensation cases are still complicated. If we’ve helped you with one, you can thank the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire victims for their help. And if you’re facing down a case now, give us a call at (804) 823-2011. We can help you win the compensation you deserve. THANK THE VICTIMS OF THIS HISTORIC FIRE HAVE YOU BENEFITED FROM WORKERS’ COMPENSATION?
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BRING SPRING’S BEAUTY INTO YOUR HOME WI TH HELP FROM STRAWBERRY F I ELDS FLOWERS AND F INDS
out between the card racks and the succulent displays. He never minds a good scratch behind the ears.
For years, Strawberry Fields has been my go-to place to pick up flowers on Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and birthdays. I also stop in when I want to get a “just because” gift for my wife. Everything in the store is made in the USA, and a lot of gifts are sourced right here in Virginia. They have hand-painted cards from Kelly McCants Creative, glass decorations from Emily Pollard Glass, pottery from Mary Hooper Handmade Pottery and ROB Ceramics, and even soaps from Naked Goat Soap Co. That’s just scratching the surface — the gifts I grab there are always a hit. When I picked Strawberry Fields for this article, I visited their website for the first time and found out they have even more to offer than I thought. You can join their Succulent of the Month Club (how cool is that?) or sign up for a flower arranging workshop. There’s actually one coming up this month on March 24 at 6 p.m. If you want to check it out, head to StrawberryFieldsFlowersandFinds.com/Workshops to register. It’s starting to feel like spring, and I personally think a bouquet from Strawberry Fields is a great way to bring the season inside your home. Pay them a visit down in The Fan at 423 Strawberry Street. I promise you won’t regret it!
One of my favorite spots in the entirety of downtown Richmond is Strawberry Fields Flowers and Finds. I like to shop local, so I was thrilled when I discovered it: a locally owned flower shop packed with bouquets, plants, handmade cards, and gifts! In the gloomy winter, all it takes to cheer me up is a trip to Strawberry Fields. They do a beautiful job with their arrangements, and the folks behind the counter are always nice. Even better, they have a shop dog who likes to hang
–Kevin Mottley
SUDOKU
SIMPLE BOK CHOY CHICKEN SOUP
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
1. In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil. 2. Stir in red pepper flakes, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic. 3. Add bok choy leaves and rotisserie
• • • • • • •
3 cups chicken broth
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp soy sauce 2 tsp sesame oil
SOLUT ION
1 garlic clove, chopped
chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the bok choy is dark green and tender. Enjoy with slices of your favorite whole- wheat bread!
10 leaves bok choy, thinly sliced
4.
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
Inspired by TheSpruceEats.com
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
8001 Franklin Farms Drive, Suite 125 Richmond, Virginia 23229
INS IDE THI S I SSUE
www.MottleyLawFirm.com | (804) 823-2011
1
Why Kevin Thinks You Don’t Need Luck
2
Handle Robocalls Like a Pro
The Forgotten Fire That Rocked New York City
3
Peek Into Kevin’s Favorite Local Flower Shop
Simple Bok Choy Chicken Soup
4
Create a Keepsake for Good Luck Year Round
BUT FIND THE ELUSIVE GOOD-LUCK CHARM FIRST MAKE A 4-LEAF CLOVER KEEPSAKE
One of St. Patrick’s Day’s most popular symbols is a four-leaf clover. In Ireland, these clovers represent luck and good fortune. Each leaf on the clover has a different meaning — faith, hope, love, and success. It’s a tradition to find a four-leaf clover on St. Patrick’s Day and do activities involving this lucky leaf. So, how do you find these good-luck charms, and what can you do with them? How to Find a 4-Leaf Clover Although it may seem difficult, it’s easier than you might think. First, find a dense patch of white clover — near it is where four-leaf clovers reside. They are different from the rest and are often smaller, so keep that in mind when you look for the lucky green clovers. Instead of staring at the patch in close detail and counting leaves, search the patch without focusing on the tiny details. This increases the odds of eyeing a four-leaf clover because the different patterns, shapes, and sizes of these clovers will jump out at you. If you find one, keep looking! There’s a chance another one might be nearby. Clover Craft Once you find your clover, preserve the luck in it all year by placing it in a picture frame. First, gently press the clover leaves between the pages of a
large book for several days to flatten them out. After pressing, you can add green food coloring to your clover to enhance its color. Once it’s dry, clean it and let it sit overnight. Then, place your clover onto acid-free paper, cut to fit the size of a picture frame of your choice. Next, use acid-free glue to keep your clover in place, and finally, seal your frame shut. You now have your personal good luck charm! Searching for a four-leaf clover and creating a keepsake will be a great bonding experience for you and your family. We wish you luck! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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