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O ctober 2024
How Eating Together Unites Us Biologically and Psychologically I’ve been reading a book recently with a small section about mobs. The book argues that mob mentality is not so much psychological as biological. At a certain point, a person’s biology gets wrapped up in it; they become a part of the mob and do things they wouldn’t usually have done because it’s almost like a high or collective calling. This idea that people change beyond psychology when they get together has me rethinking what happens to us when we share the same space in each other’s company. S ynchronize O ver S upper
October is Eat Better, Eat Together Month, and as I reflect on how our biology changes when we gather, it’s clear that sharing a meal with others is more than just a social activity — it’s synchronicity. When we sit down with family or friends, we share stories, learn, and get in sync with each other. The more time we spend with others, the more we align psychologically and biologically, strengthening our bonds and creating a sense of normalcy and unity. Growing up, we didn’t have a rigid rule in my household about being home for dinner, but it was the norm for us to sit and talk with each other when we did. Plenty of times, we needed to be off doing our own thing, but when we did eat together, it allowed us to share stories of the day and catch up. A lot of good comes from that kind of sharing of ourselves. “October is Eat Better, Eat Together Month, and as I reflect on how our biology changes when we gather, it’s clear that sharing a meal with others is more than just a social activity — it’s synchronicity.” At The Manely Firm, we’ve embraced this concept by making it a point to share meals as a team. Each month, we invite every staff member to break bread together at our monthly meeting. We’re not making individual orders — hamburger here, pizza there — we have shared food, which fosters connection. This workplace tradition is never just about eating; it’s about synchronizing our thoughts, aligning our goals, and reinforcing our commitment to one another. The time we spend on a task together in close proximity syncs us up with one another.
For families going through a divorce, the act of eating together can work like a release valve. During this time of dramatic change, moms and dads are entirely caught up in the process. It can feel very isolating and lonely. You may feel the temptation to withdraw and figuratively or literally close yourself in your room. While it’s sometimes necessary to do that, there are two sides to every coin: You need to also come out of that room to be with your family. The conversations might be difficult, and the tone might be uncomfortable, but if you listen to each other, those hard talks will help keep the family intact and whole. Ultimately, whether at work or home, the simple act of coming together over a meal can transcend our challenges. It reminds us we’re not alone in our struggles and that there’s strength in unity, even in the most challenging times. As we share food, we also share our lives, hopes, and dreams, creating psychological and biological connections that help us thrive. I encourage you to break bread with the people in your lives as much as humanly possible.
–Michael Manely
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BALANCING 2 GENERATIONS
Estate Planning Tips for Your Aging Parents and Children
and make health-related decisions for your parents if they cannot. With an Advanced Health Care Directive, you can speak in-depth with their doctors, access their medical records, and see any upcoming appointments. It’s important to talk as a family about how you will handle aging issues and identify potential caregivers for your parents. We help clients navigate the complexities of this and help put them in touch with the right resources. Children One of the most common mistakes that parents often make is leaving assets outright to minors. However, minors cannot inherit assets outright, as they are not legally allowed to own property until adulthood. Make sure your estate plan spells out what your children will receive and when they can receive these assets. Additionally, if your child’s grandparents want to gift them assets or money, it must be done through a trust. Many times, we have had parents who unnecessarily go through the probate court because this was not done the right way. You also need to select someone who will be
responsible for taking care of the assets you are leaving to your children. Decide how and when your children will receive their inheritance. A common strategy is to instruct your trustee to distribute funds to your children once they turn 18, again when they are 25, and a final allotment when they turn 30. In your trust, you can spell out what that money can be used for, like health, education, and support. Think about it like creating a road map for your trustees You also need to make sure that you appoint a guardian to care for your children if something happens to you. You never want the Department of Children and Families or someone other than yourself to choose who will care for and raise your children. Estate planning for the sandwich generation requires careful thought and preparation to ensure the protection of both your aging parents and children. Take action now and put the right plans in place to provide peace of mind for your entire family, no matter what the future holds.
The sandwich generation — adults caring for their aging parents while supporting their own children — face unique challenges regarding estate planning. Whether you’re managing your parents’ medical care or preparing for your child’s future, it’s crucial to know the plan elements you need to have in place. Parents If you care for your parents, it’s essential to make sure they have an estate plan — either a will or trust — including an Advanced Health Care directive and HIPAA release. These legal documents allow you to discuss medical matters
Our London-Based Attorney Changing Lives From Across the Pond MEET MATTHEW MICHAUD
At The Manely Firm, our attorneys show clients compassion and understanding during some of their most challenging life experiences. Associate Attorney Matthew Michaud has a passion for family law that stems from his own similar experiences. “Having been through some of the same situations, it made me realize the challenges and rewards of this area of law,” he said. “Going through that personally made me understand this is a good area to impact people’s lives positively.”
Matthew represents Georgia clients remotely through Zoom from London, drafting documents and attending virtual hearings. He said conducting law digitally presents unique challenges and opportunities. One of his favorite aspects of The Manely Firm is our experience level and the quality of our systems and procedures. In his spare time, Matthew plays bass guitar, and he likes to learn new songs when he’s not serving clients. He and his wife, an internationally recognized reggae singer, had a band together while still in the U.S. As an avid history buff, Matthew has enjoyed exploring the many historical sites in the UK and getting acclimated to a new culture. The most rewarding aspect of his career is positively impacting the lives of people facing stressful times. “Family law issues are emotional and contentious, and helping people get through a time like that requires more than legal expertise,” he said. “It requires sensitivity, empathy, and the ability to connect with someone on an emotional level.” We are proud to have attorneys like Matthew at the firm. His personal experiences and compassionate approach enrich our practice and provide invaluable support to our clients.
Matthew didn’t always want to be a lawyer. While earning his master’s degree in English,
he planned to become a professor, but took a job with a large corporation to save money before beginning his doctorate. After experiencing corporate life and growing accustomed to eating decent meals on a regular basis, he decided that a Ph.D. in medieval English literature would probably not provide much financial security, so he went to law school instead. Matthew had a successful career in Atlanta, beginning in commercial real estate before transitioning to litigation with a focus on family law. Last year, Matthew moved to the UK with his wife, who is attending law school in England. With the recent launch of our first overseas office in London, our paths serendipitously crossed.
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U ltimate B aked Z iti
T urning S etbacks I nto S tepping S tones
I ngredients
• 1 (16 oz) package of dried ziti pasta • 1 onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes • 1 cup ricotta cheese • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese • Salt and pepper, to taste
The Benefits of an Outcome- Focused Mindset
D irections 1.
So often in life, we find ourselves mired in a problem-oriented mindset, focusing on putting out fires rather than reaching our true goals. Letting the need for immediate issues and urgent fixes bog us down is easy, but if we shift our mindset to focus on our desired outcomes, we can transform our approach from reactive to proactive. This mindset swap allows us to channel our energy into moving toward our aspirations rather than moving away from setbacks. At The Manely Firm, we talk to clients about their desired outcomes from the onset to help them move toward their dreams and aspirations. Desired outcomes are about growth, whereas resolving problems is a static philosophy. When you focus on a problem, you want the pain or anxiety to go away. The feeling is entirely different when you focus on the desired results. You are taking steps toward something. If you’re just solving problems, over time, you’ll find yourself in a cycle where you won’t get very far. By pinpointing your desired outcomes, you can choose or prioritize the problems and how you will resolve them. Your issues can have a greater purpose when working to achieve goals. When training our staff, we often emphasize that focusing on problems merely addresses part of the issue. Instead, the goal should be to understand and aim for the client’s desired outcome. This means answering questions and making decisions that propel clients toward their goals rather than just meeting deadlines or checking boxes. With this mindset, we give clients a better outcome and contribute to our job satisfaction, creating a more meaningful and purposeful approach to our work. Whether you’re pursuing a degree, advancing in your career, or navigating personal challenges, focusing on your hopes rather than just resolving problems can change your progress and success. You create a more fulfilling and effective path forward by seeing problems as opportunities to move closer to your aspirations.
Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
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Cook ziti according to package instructions.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onion and garlic until softened. 4. Add marinara sauce and diced tomatoes, stirring to combine. 5. Stir in the cooked ziti and season with salt and pepper. 6. Transfer mixture to baking dish. 7. Top with ricotta and mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
“A goal is a dream with a deadline .” –N apoleon H ill
Adopting an outcome-oriented mindset can transform challenges into stepping stones toward your greater goals.
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211 Roswell St. NE Marietta, GA 30060 (866) 687-8561 www.allfamilylaw.com
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The Power of Breaking Bread
The Sandwich Generation’s Guide to Securing Your Family’s Future How His Personal Experience Shapes His Compassionate Approach The Key to Moving Toward Goals Instead of Just Fixing Problems Ultimate Baked Ziti
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Essential Manners Kids Should Learn
B uild C haracter W ith M anners 3 Behaviors to Teach Your Kids
Kids these days! They don’t know how to curtsy before their lords, stay stoic and straight-faced when photographed, or duel to the death when someone besmirches their honor. In all seriousness, while some courtesies have gone out of fashion, there are still manners your kids should know. Manners are essential for people of all ages and can significantly improve your kids’ social standing, success, and behavior in the years to come. Here are three need-to-know manners to teach your kids. What’s the magic word? It may sound simple, but no common courtesy is more important than knowing when to say “Please” and “Thank you.” It also helps establish a model of good behavior and parental respect that is important to reinforce in children. When your children ask for something, remind them to say, “Please.” When someone has done something for them, remind them to say, “Thank you.” You also need to model the practice and return the same courtesy! It shows how important it is for everyone to have good manners. Make an introduction. Greetings and introductions may seem trivial; however, they are anything but . Properly introducing yourself, especially on the phone, is pivotal to starting a relationship or phone call on the right foot. It also gives you more authority and respect for the remainder of the conversation and beyond.
Learn to be helpful. No act is more endearing to others than offering a helping hand. Whether mowing your neighbor’s lawn, staying after class to help your teacher clean up, or lending a hand in dinner prep with a parent, acts of kindness can help build character. They are also a great way to forge new friendships and cement current relationships, as you never know what others are going through, and a bit of help may be just what they need.
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