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Louisiana Estate and Injury Attorneys
New Orleans • Covington
www.ScottVicknair.com (504) 500-1111
October 2023
Inspirational Coaching
HOW MENTORS DRIVE US TOWARD EXCELLENCE
Throughout our lives, we encounter many people who try to encourage us to reach our goals and become the best possible version of ourselves. This usually starts close to home with our parents and grandparents. Before long, we develop similar relationships with our friends, siblings, and teachers. But there’s another group that can elicit more motivation and dedication from us than anyone else. These individuals are our coaches, and we usually get our first interaction with them when we start playing youth sports. When I think back on the coaches I had throughout my childhood, no one stands out more than my high school football coach. He had this incredible power to inspire the team to work together and give our all, especially during the offseason. Our coach was a big believer in weightlifting and conditioning. He put together a training program every offseason to ensure his team was in the best shape possible for the upcoming season. These sessions truly helped me understand the importance and value of hard work. There were so many lessons to take away from this coach and working through his training programs. One that sticks with me to this day is the idea of accountability. Since it was the offseason, the coach couldn’t force us to show up for the training program, but every player on the team still attended. Our coach taught us that we needed everyone to experience success because conditioning won’t make much of a difference if players slack off. Everyone bought in, and it was rare when a teammate didn’t show up to our offseason workouts. Once we graduate high school and move away from organized sports, the idea of coaching takes on a new meaning. We no longer look to coaches to help us win games; we go to them for professional and personal advice. In some instances, we even become coaches ourselves.
necessary. On a regular basis, I motivate team members, provide positive reinforcement, help employees improve in their roles, and get people with varying backgrounds and perspectives to work together to reach our clients’ goals. It’s not too different from the sports world, but our stakes are much higher and more important since we deal with people’s lives. I also belong to a coaching group through PILMMA, a legal organization focused on helping personal injury lawyers with marketing and management. There are 11 or 12 of us who regularly talk offline and meet in person a few times a year. We’re constantly coaching and learning from each other about different ways we can run our businesses and help our clients. Everyone needs someone to turn to, whether it’s for something personal or professional. Nobody knows everything, and we can’t expect ourselves to have all the answers. Be curious, not judgmental, and you’ll develop an active mindset focused on learning. We should all try to learn and improve ourselves; you need a strong coach by your side to do this properly. They might not have all the answers, but they can still help us in various ways.
-David Vicknair
I look at the people in my business as a team, and in my role, it’s my responsibility to coach and help out when
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FROM APPLICANT TO ARRESTED: The Fugitive Who Applied for a Police Job
Even most criminals need traditional employment to pay the bills, but Zyeama Johnson looked for work in all the wrong places. Perhaps Johnson imagined her previous experience with law enforcement would give her a leg up in her application to the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office in New Jersey in 2022. But unfortunately for her, all of Johnson’s past and future involvement with the police would be on the wrong side of the law. Johnson was looking for a legal way to earn a living when she applied for a job as a security guard at the sheriff’s office. But her past money-making ventures
check before hiring — or that this office specializes in resolving outstanding warrants. When processing her application, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office discovered the active bench warrant in Pennsylvania. The routine investigation also found 10 additional active bench warrants in Jersey City, New Jersey; Johnson had allegedly failed to appear on traffic charges. Most employers in this situation would probably move on to the next applicant, but the sheriff’s department decided to call Johnson in for an “interview” instead. Unsurprisingly, they had no
question, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” a new meaning. After taking Johnson into custody, the police proceeded to search her property. Incredibly, they found two credit cards in her possession they believed were stolen. Police added credit card theft charges to Johnson’s already considerable rap sheet. To make matters worse for her, the sheriff’s office also contacted Johnson’s former employer, the United States Postal Service, which launched its own investigation into her conduct. As of October 2022, Johnson was being held in a Hudson County jail awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania for the most serious charge against her. It’s unclear why she thought applying for a law enforcement position with outstanding warrants was a wise career move, but at least she made her would-be coworkers’ jobs easy that day.
allegedly involved fraud, and she had failed to appear in a Pennsylvania court on the charges. Presumably, Johnson did not realize
intention of hiring her and arrested the fugitive on the spot. It gave the standard interview
a police station would perform a background
Unlock the Secrets of a Calming Bedtime Routine
Does it always seem like your kids get a burst of energy right before bedtime? After a jam-packed day, your child’s pent-up stress and energy will likely spike when it’s time to head to bed. The key is implementing a consistent bedtime routine to help them transition into sleep mode. Try therapeutic techniques to soothe your child for a full night of shuteye. Squeeze ’em tight (add pressure). Just like you would swaddle a baby, you should wrap your kids up like tiny burritos! When you add pressure that squeezes them tight, your child’s tactile and proprioceptive senses are activated, which creates a sense of calm and relaxation. You can also do this with weighted blankets, tight cuddles, or by tucking them in nice and snug with pillows placed around them to add more pressure. Get them warm and cozy. Warmth is another element that can increase calm and signal bedtime! Put their
blankets in the dryer so they’ll have them nice and warm when it’s time to lie down. Additionally, you can give them a warm drink with a straw, as the warmth not only relaxes them but the straw also encourages sucking motions, which are incredibly soothing for children. Create gentle movements. Repetitive and rhythmic movements like rocking back and forth generate vestibular input for the nervous system. This will help your children feel comfortable and ready to sleep! You can try these motions by rocking them on a yoga ball for a few minutes, reading a bedtime story in a rocking chair, or sitting with them in a porch swing or hammock right before bed. Turn the screens off. We already know that looking at screens harms our sleep, so why would that be any different for children? Decrease screen time as the day advances and completely turn off any screens at least two hours
before bedtime. Not only do you want to cut these harsh lights, but you should also add comforting ones! Unwind in dim lighting as the day ends, and place lava lamps or a night light in your children’s rooms to help soothe them. Also, adding a white noise machine or playing calm music can do wonders! Combine these therapeutic methods to create the perfect bedtime routine that will have your energetic kiddos in bed without a hitch.
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THE REVENGE OF THE RONIN Unveiling the Historic Massacre of Kira Yoshinaka
1. Strategies to prevent underpayment by insurance companies 2. Steps to take immediately after a car accident 3. Tactics used by insurers to deny claims 4. A comprehensive guide to starting your claim (with or without an attorney) 5. Tips on knowing when to accept an offer or fight for more Don’t delay, claim your FREE eBook now and start fighting for the justice you deserve! #PersonalInjuryClaims #FightForTheWin #FreeEbookOffer
Never has there been a tale of revenge so blood-filled and epic as the 47 Ronin. Honorable and loyal to the end, these samurai warriors proved their dedication to their master in an incident that would become immortalized in Japanese literature, theater, and film. So, what led these samurai on a vengeful rampage? It started in April 1701, when nobleman Asano Naganori, also known as the lord of Ako, was treated with complete disrespect and arrogance by Kira Yoshinaka, a court official. After holding back his anger, Asano finally snapped. Asano revealed his sword and attacked Kira in the middle of the palace’s main hall. Although Kira lived to tell the tale, Asano broke court rules and was ordered to kill himself. Following the court’s ruling, Asano ended his life on April 21, 1701. After his demise, Asano left behind his faithful 47 samurai, whose status was lowered to ronin (samurai with no leader). Crushed by his death, the ruthless men created a plan. The 47 Ronin laid low for two years by dispersing and living in “retirement.” The years passed, and the men were able to lower Kira’s guard. At this point, one of the ronin had reached his 80s and could not participate in the vengeful plan. However, the remaining 46 men raided Kira’s estate on an early January morning in 1703. They fearlessly battled Kira’s samurai and decapitated Kira. The ronin then carried his head in a basket for miles to their deceased lord’s grave.
HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE
Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
Save money this October with this delicious homemade pumpkin spice latte that will taste better than any store-bought coffee. Ingredients
Authorities were intensely conflicted on how to treat the vengeful massacre. While it broke the shogun’s rules,
• 2 shots espresso (or 1/2 cup freshly brewed coffee)
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice • 1 tsp vanilla extract • Whipped cream for topping (optional)
the act followed the respected samurai warrior code. Yet, in the end, all 46 men were ordered to kill themselves via self-
• 1 cup milk of choice • 3 tbsp pumpkin purée • 1–2 tbsp maple syrup
Directions 1. In a small pot on medium heat, heat milk until simmering but not boiling. 2. Make your espresso (or coffee) and pour into a large mug or Mason jar. Add pumpkin purée, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla and stir until well combined. 3. With a milk frother, froth the heated milk until foamy. Then, pour into your pumpkin espresso mixture and top with whipped cream. For decoration, you can sprinkle more cinnamon or pumpkin spice on top!
disembowelment, hara-kiri . The ronin ranged in age from 15 to 77 years old.
After their deaths, the ronin became legends and were buried alongside their master, Asano Naganori. You can visit this famous site at Sengakuji Temple in Tokyo.
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(504) 500-1111 www.ScottVicknair.com 909 Poydras St., Suite 2025 New Orleans, LA 70112 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Positive Impact Coaches Have on Our Lives
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Criminal’s Job Hunt Backfires: Arrested During Interview!
Tips to Soothe Your Energetic Kids Before Bedtime
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
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The Legendary Tale of the 47 Ronin
The Troubling Saga of Sherri Papini’s Disappearance
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THE SHOCKING TRUTH BEHIND SHERRI’S KIDNAPPING REVEALED
Sherri Papini vanished out of thin air in November 2016. The day she went missing, her husband, Keith Papini, came home expecting to see his wife and kids but found the residence eerily empty. Keith called the children’s day care to ask when his wife picked them up, but they informed him she never did. While the kids were safe, Sherri was missing. Three weeks passed before Sherri was finally found alone on a freeway nearly 146 miles from her home on Thanksgiving Day. She was cut and bruised, her long hair chopped short, and her back branded with a Bible verse. When the police questioned Sherri, she was hesitant and frightened. She claimed two Hispanic women abducted her, took her to an unknown location, chained her up, and tortured her before planning to traffic her. The story horrified
the community and made many Hispanic women fear wrongful persecution. At the time, male DNA was found on Sherri’s clothing, despite her insistence no men were involved in her kidnapping. Years later, in 2020, the authorities used genetic DNA technology to track down the man, Sherri’s ex-boyfriend, James Reyes. This was when Sherri’s tale began to fall apart. Reyes was questioned by police, who exposed the truth about Sherri’s vanishing act. He revealed that Sherri told him her husband, Keith, was abusing her, and she needed his help to escape. She convinced him to brand her, but all her other injuries were self-inflicted. Reyes had no idea about Sherri’s fabricated story involving two Hispanic kidnappers. At first, Sherri stuck with her story when questioned again but eventually admitted it was all a hoax.
In 2023, Sherri Papini was charged with false statements and mail fraud and sentenced to 18 months in prison for her long-winded lies that wasted police resources and federal financial assistance. Her story resulted in numerous innocent Hispanic women being wrongly questioned by authorities. But now, these women can rest easy knowing the case is finally closed.
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