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March 2023
FROM THE DESK OF
It’s Okay to Be an Underdog!
Jeffery L. Robinette
Reasons to Update Your Estate Plan Your estate plan is an essential document that takes care of your loved ones when you no longer can. You want to be sure everything is taken care of exactly how you want it. Without a will or directions, family members (or sometimes the state) are left to determine what to do with your assets in the event of death. You need to update your estate plan regularly, especially after you’ve experienced any significant life changes. According to professionals, you should review your estate plan annually or every few years to ensure nothing has changed. Are the correct people included? Did you undergo a major life change recently? Have you acquired more assets? Are your intentions still the same? An estate plan will likely include your kids, both biological and adopted. It should be noted that stepchildren are not usually included unless they are specifically mentioned. Thus, any time a new child joins the family, your estate plan will need to reflect this, along with their chosen guardian. If you’ve been recently married or divorced, this change in family dynamics is an essential update. If you want to update your beneficiaries, do this right away. To care for your loved ones the way you prefer after you are gone, frequently check that your list of beneficiaries is current. If those you initially trusted to implement your plan after you passed away are no longer willing or able to carry out this job for you, it’s time for an update. Any significant change to your assets will require a plan reassessment to review how your property will be
It Can Be Your Biggest Advantage
“We may have a major upset on our hands” is a phrase you may hear sports announcers say during March Madness. The term “upset” is mainly used to describe sports competitions in which a favored team loses to the underdog — the team the majority expects to lose. During March Madness, many stories spread about teams throughout history that caused the biggest upsets in college game day history. But upsets can occur in any sport. Each upset story requires an underdog team with the odds stacked against them that finds a way to persevere and overcome the odds — leading them to victory. The more I think about underdogs in sports, the more I realize that you can be an underdog in any profession. In life, some people will doubt your abilities. Others may not always expect you to succeed. You may even question your own skills and strengths and consider yourself an underdog. But being an underdog can be your biggest advantage — it can be the key to business success. When you’re an underdog, you have nothing to lose,
distributed. Keep it up to date to be sure you are doing your best for your family and friends after you are gone.
-Jeff Robinette
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everything to gain, and a lot to prove — a mindset that some business owners are missing.
weak points, which can help you create steps and processes to strengthen those. You will also understand what losing feels like, which is a massive advantage in the business world because you will know how to handle setbacks and disadvantages. But most importantly, facing adversity will train you how to do your best at anything you do. Is it truly a loss if you gave your all and learned valuable lessons? You set your own expectations. Some may not have high expectations for you when you’re viewed as an underdog, but that’s not a bad thing! If someone expects certain acts and characteristics of you, it can stress you more. But when you’re an underdog, you can set your priorities and goals and go at your own pace. You can try different strategies, push boundaries, and chase and change your plans at any time, so use that to your advantage.
So, embrace your inner underdog! Here are a few reasons why being an underdog is one of the best skills and traits to have in business. You’re always looking forward — never backward. Some business owners, entrepreneurs, and sports teams known to find success may frequently look over their shoulders to see who’s coming behind them. They may find themselves looking at the past and pushing forwards solely to stay on top. But as an underdog, you’re hungrier for success and improvement. It’s like you have tunnel vision; you can only see what’s ahead. Your ambition will fuel your fire because you know you have nothing to lose — it’s one of the best forms of motivation.
You understand how to deal with losses.
Some may see being viewed as an underdog as a weakness, but in reality, it’s one of the biggest strengths you can have. Remember, while being an underdog isn’t permanent, you can keep the mentality to help you remain motivated and innovative. You can achieve anything you set your mind to. So, keep pushing forward — what do you have to lose?
Success is always great, and people prefer to win most of the time. But there are valuable lessons in losing. First, you understand that losing doesn’t equal failure. It’s only failure if you don’t learn anything from your experience. When you lose, it will help you identify your
Year after year, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with green shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold, and Lucky Charms, but did you know that St. Patrick was actually British? Even more surprising, St. Patrick isn’t even his real name! Get ready to celebrate the luck of the Irish while impressing others with some fun St. Patrick’s Day trivia. The man’s British roots run deep. St. Patrick isn’t Irish — he was born in Britain around the end of the fourth century. Legend has it that at 16 years old, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery by Irish raiders. After six years, he was able to escape back to Britain and returned to Ireland much later as a Christian missionary. Ireland named him the country’s patron saint after he passed away. March 17 isn’t St. Patrick’s birthday. Many believe that we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on his birthday, but it’s actually the day he died in 461 A.D. That’s not his name. As mentioned earlier, St. Patrick is not his real name! When he became a bishop, Maewyn Succat changed his name to Patrick. Irish I Knew That Sooner! 6 Fun Facts About St. Patrick’s Day
He didn’t banish snakes. Legend has it that St. Patrick banished all of the snakes from Ireland. In fact, even some portraits depict him doing so. However, fossil records show that snakes were never present in Ireland around his lifetime. Corned beef and cabbage originated in America. On March 17, everyone loads up on corned beef and cabbage in celebration, but did you know that in Ireland, they ate ham and cabbage, and the corned beef tradition actually began in America? In the 19th century, Irish Americans bought leftover corned beef from ships returning from China. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade happened in America. Many believe that St. Patrick’s Day was first celebrated in Ireland, but in 1737, the first St. Patrick’s Day parades actually took place in Boston and New York City.
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Health Benefits of Vitamin D SOAK UP THE SUNSHINE VITAMIN
It boosts your immune system. Vitamin D helps your body fight off sickness. In fact, it’s been proven that deficiencies in vitamin D are connected to an increased possibility of developing infections and autoimmune diseases such as the flu, heart disease, and diabetes. It counters osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, a loss in bone mass, is common as we get older. However, vitamin D is one of the key players in helping to slow down bone loss and prevent or treat osteoporosis so we can maintain a healthy skeletal system. It reduces the risks of depression. Studies have shown that those who are deficient in vitamin D become more prone to mood disorders and depression. To ensure that you support your mental health, step outside and get some happy, feel-good rays!
It’s possibly linked to weight loss. While it’s not fully proven that vitamin D helps with weight loss, many studies have found links between vitamin D supplements and shedding a few pounds. In one study, one group of people taking vitamin D and calcium supplements lost more weight than another group taking placebos. It prevents and helps multiple sclerosis. Not only is vitamin D proven to lower a person’s chances of getting this horrible disease, but for those who already have it, it can also reduce symptoms or slow down the disease’s progression. This spring, be sure to get outdoors and soak up some vitamin D; however, don’t forget to protect your skin, too! To avoid overexposure, only about 10–15 minutes a day of unprotected sun is recommended.
With spring on the horizon, we all will be able to get outdoors a little more and soak up some sun — and extra vitamin D! Bring on the picnics, pool days, hiking, sports activities, and leisurely walks through the park! Let’s take a look at the many benefits this vitamin provides for our bodies.
Inspiration Corner
Irish Pancakes
Ingredients
Inspired by TheKitchyKitchen.com
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp kosher salt • 1 tbsp white sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten • 1 cup buttermilk • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
Directions
1. In a bowl, sift the dry ingredients together. Set aside. 2. In a skillet, brown 1 tbsp of butter. 3. In a separate bowl, mix the beaten egg, buttermilk, and browned butter. 4. In a constant stream, add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients while stirring. Do not over beat! 5. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1 tbsp of butter, stir until the skillet is coated, and then add a few large dollops of batter (about 3 inches wide) to the pan. Do not overcrowd. 6. Cook 4–5 minutes a side, until golden brown and cooked through. Serve with butter, jam, and syrup.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Jeffery L. Robinette PAGE 1 Everyone Loves an Underdog Story PAGE 1 6 St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts PAGE 2 Soak Up Some Vitamin D PAGE 3 Inspiration Corner PAGE 3 Irish Pancakes PAGE 3 How a Cat Saved Her Humans’ Lives PAGE 4
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Facing a Gas Leak, She Thought Fast Schnautzie Saves the Day
Besides a fire, a gas leak is one of the worst things that can happen in the middle of the night. Fortunately for one Montana couple in 2007, Schnautzie the cat was on the case. She woke up her owners to alert them to the danger, preventing a deadly — and explosive — tragedy. People magazine reported that Greg and Trudy Guy adopted Schnautzie from a local pet store in April 2007. They’d gone with hopes of adopting a puppy but instead fell in love with a tiny black kitten. The couple only intended to foster Schnautzie, but she proved herself a hero and became a permanent family member. That October, Schnautzie climbed up on Trudy’s chest at 2 a.m. and started pawing at her nose. Since cats sometimes do strange (and annoying) things, Trudy didn’t think too much of it — until Schnautzie
kept at it. Now, Schnautzie had her attention, especially when Trudy noticed her persistently sniffing the air around her. Once fully awake, Trudy noticed a hissing sound somewhere in the house. Getting up to investigate, she found a broken pipe outside her bathroom, pumping gas into the basement. “The gas was just fuming,” Trudy remembered. “Our house was saturated in a short time.” The Guys quickly vacated the house with Schnautzie in tow and called the fire department. Only upon the rescue workers’ arrival did the Guys realize the extent of the danger they had faced. While the gas alone could have killed them, it was also an unseasonably frigid night in October. Had the heater or water tank turned on, it would have ignited the fumes and caused an explosion.
Schnautzie was a hero to the Guys, but extra treats and a permanent home were thanks enough for her. Still, she received a bit more than that in 2010. The Great Falls Animal Foundation learned how Schnautzie had saved the day and decided to honor her with the Purple Paw Award. While Schnautzie appreciated the thought, Greg said she didn’t enjoy the reception. “She’s shy around strangers,” he explained. But there’s no doubt that Schnautzie deserved her award. Sally Cerny of the animal foundation told Catster.com that the Purple Paw is given to pets who uniquely demonstrate the bond between animals and humans. And, she concluded, “There’s no more special way to show that than to save your family.”
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