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TRUE NORTH
BY
STEVE LINGENBRINK | CHRIS CAZARES
LEAVE IT ALL ON THE FIELD YOU’LL NEVER REGRET GIVING IT YOUR ALL
“We are stronger together than we are alone.” — Walter Payton, “Never Die Easy”
I would have just taken the extra second or two to think it through, I would have squib kicked to make sure our guys would stop the return. I felt so much pain for letting the players down — for letting my players down. We don’t always get redemption in football, but this season allowed that moment. There is something about wanting it more for others, wanting it for the team, that makes us individually become better, to go beyond ourselves. The next go-round, I made sure my side of the yard was clean. I was obsessed with doing our best. Leading up to the big game, there was not enough film to watch or defensive schemes I wouldn’t consider or use. Our defense kept them to zero. No mistakes on defense. A win to close out the season put our junior varsity squad with the school’s best record in over a decade. As I walked off the field, I thought I would feel overwhelming joy. But, instead, I felt something much different. And I would even say better. I felt satisfied with a job well done. Part of being a football fan is to acknowledge that throughout the season, we are witnesses to the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Depending on the week, the quarter, the down, the distance, we see human characteristics unfold in real- time right before our eyes. In a given season, we can observe a team jump out to a hot start in September and, then eight weeks later in December, completely fold. Or we can watch the
In two separate decades of my life, I spent a couple of years roaming the sidelines of a local high school as a football coach — first in my 20s and then later on in my 40s. Despite being the same school and same sport, they were extremely different experiences. I loved the grind of the offseason. There were no frills; it was all about showing up and getting the work done. The excitement and prematureness of spring ball was captivating, and the nervous excitement for the beginning of football camp was always a great time. The surrealness prior to the first kickoff of the season gave me goosebumps. And the end was always thrilling — but it always ended in a loss. Except one. That season ended in a state championship. In 1998, I coached the defense of the junior varsity squad. We were a small school, so sometimes to fill out the schedule, we had to play a team twice. At the time, I was really new to being a defensive coordinator. It was a close game. It was all back and forth, and then our defense got a stop. We eventually took the lead late in the fourth quarter — there wasn’t a lot of time on the clock, and without thinking I called for a kickoff down the middle and deep. When the kick returner scored as time expired, I felt sick. The kids had done everything, and I wasn’t patient — instead, I hurried to the next thing. If
greatest display of human acrobatics and skill on one play and utter folly the next. Triumph and failure. Joy and sadness. Looking either closely or perhaps from a distance, we just see … life. And with it, the irony, complexity, and paradoxes. OTHERS, WANTING IT FOR THE TEAM, THAT MAKES US INDIVIDUALLY BECOME BETTER, TO GO BEYOND OURSELVES.” THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT WANTING IT MORE FOR
CHRIS CAZARES
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POLARISINJURYLAW.COM | 425.637.1300
NEVER A DULL MOMENT
WHY WE SHOULD LIVE FOR TODAY
We can’t change the past, nor can we predict or guarantee the future. In the end, all we have is the present, yet most of us live our lives ignoring its many possibilities. It’s easy to tune out life around you, especially if you do many of the same things every day. Taking care of the kids, commuting, working, and running errands can blur together. Just as bad, when life isn’t going the way we want, it’s easy to fantasize about how things “should” be or how they once were. When we live busy or stressful lives, worrying or planning can also make us feel more in control.
only thing we can control: what we do now. Life can pass you by that way if you’re not careful. The solution is to exist in the present moment as much as possible and enjoy the good things around us while we have them. Studies show that living this way makes people happier, healthier, and more likely to form strong relationships. But how do you even get started? The process requires a different way of thinking called mindfulness. Mindfulness is about focusing on what is happening in the present moment — not that work deadline, the movie you just watched, what’s for dinner, or the kids’ extracurricular schedule. It takes practice, and many people use meditation or breathing to help.
When mindful, we concentrate on what others say and exist in that moment. We also start to notice the small things we usually overlook: the cool breeze on our skin, the sound of the birds, the feel of a sweater, or the sight of our loved ones smiling. Our lives become fuller. And our stress decreases because we’re not clinging to things beyond our command. No one ever stops worrying entirely, and some planning is necessary to live a successful life. But too much can leave us with no energy or time to enjoy it. John Lennon once sang, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Start living in the present so you don’t blink and miss yours.
The problem with these strategies is that they don’t change anything. They help us discount the
STRETCH IT OUT
Due to time restraints, eagerness to jump into a workout, or forgetfulness, many neglect taking the time to stretch, which is a vital routine to develop before engaging in physical activity or even beginning your day. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits stretching has to offer! Improve your flexibility. Flexibility is crucial for your overall health and well-being because the more flexible you are, the easier it will be for you to perform everyday activities. Increased flexibility can also help combat the inevitable decreased mobility as we age. Increase your range of motion. Joints such as knees, elbows, shoulders, and wrists are intended to move through a full range of motion. When joints properly move, bend, 6 REASONS TO DEVELOP A STRETCHING ROUTINE
turn, and rotate, you have freedom of movement, and stretching can help to increase this! Improve physical performance. Stretching before a walk, before a weight-lifting session, or before you hop into a game of basketball is essential to ensure your muscles are warmed up and ready to perform their best. Failing to stretch before physical activities can leave you more prone to injuries. Improve your posture. Did you know that poor posture can sometimes be attributed to muscle imbalances? Regular stretching can help encourage proper alignment in your body, improving your posture. Increase muscle blood flow. Studies have shown that stretching regularly increases your circulation and blood flow to
your muscles, speeding up your recovery time and reducing muscle soreness after working out. Reduce stress. Along with tight muscles comes stress — and vice versa! When you experience anxiety, worry, or physical and/or emotional stress, your body responds by tightening your muscles. Stretching your neck, shoulders, and upper back can help to eliminate any pent-up tension. The next time you consider skipping your stretching routine, think again. You don’t want to miss out on these great benefits. And, if you don’t have a stretching routine yet, it’s time to stretch it out! You won’t regret it!
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POLARISINJURYLAW.COM | 425.637.1300
GET OUT OF THE (HAUNTED) HOUSE
WITH THESE 3 OUTDOOR HALLOWEEN ATTRACTIONS
Halloween is just around the corner. You’ll soon have trick-or-treaters approaching your door requesting a healthy share of candy. Before then, you may want to go out and feel the thrills of the season yourself, but maybe you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy the cramped spaces of haunted houses. You don’t have to step indoors to experience a spooky attraction, though. There are plenty of outdoor Halloween attractions to check out, and here are three of the most thrilling. Zombie Paintball We’ve all watched a scary movie and thought we could do better than some of the characters in these extreme situations. Now is your chance to prove it. There are zombie paintball courses throughout the country, and they can be a great time for everyone involved. You’ll step aboard a bus or trailer outfitted with paintball guns and proceed along a course full of zombies and creatures. Before long, your friends and family will get into the competitive spirit to see who can hit the most targets. Haunted Corn Maze Haunted houses are great if you’re trying to experience some jump scares. But if you want to get the haunted house experience in an outdoor setting, you should check out a haunted corn maze. You’ll hear screams coming from all around to help amp up the fear. It’s also a great way to get some exercise! Haunted Hayride So, what if you want the best of both worlds? You may want to feel scared without walking through a maze or using a paintball gun. That’s where haunted hayrides come in. On a haunted hayride, you’ll hop aboard a platform that’s being towed by a tractor or truck as they take you through a dark forest and possibly some barns. Performers will be woven throughout to provide scares at the perfect moments. It’s a great way to get the classic Halloween experience without having to walk through a house or maze.
PUMPKIN PIE PARFAITS INSPIRED BY KENARRY.COM
PUZZLE BREAK
These parfaits are an easy fall dessert everyone can make!
INGREDIENTS •
3.4 oz instant vanilla pudding mix
• • • •
1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• • •
2 cups cold milk
15-oz can pumpkin purée
1 cup vanilla sandwich cookies 8 oz whipped topping
1/2 tsp cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir in pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves. 2. In a blender or food processor, crush vanilla sandwich cookies into crumbs. 3. In small jars or glasses, place cookie crumbs on bottom, then pumpkin mixture, then whipped topping. Repeat these layers twice and end with cookie crumbs. 4. Chill until ready to serve!
(SOLUTION ON PG. 4)
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1. The Will to Win
2. Taking Each Moment as It Comes
The Benefits of Stretching
3. 3 Outdoor Halloween Attractions Guaranteed to Spook
Pumpkin Pie Parfaits
4. Steve’s Corner
SUDOKU SOLUTION FROM PG. 3
STEVE LINGENBRINK IS THE FOUNDING PARTNER OF POLARIS INJURY LAW, FORMERLY LINGENBRINK LAW AND LINGENBRINK CAZARES INJURY LAWYERS. AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION STEVE’S CORNER:
Recently, an incredible human being came into our office for a consult.
which does not even cover “John’s” hospital visit, let alone doctor visits and the upcoming surgery. An event “John” and his family never expected has now set them back financially, emotionally, and physically that was not “John’s” fault. Insurance is meant to help with the unexpected. There is one common denominator in every injury case: insurance. If the at-fault party does not have insurance or insufficient insurance to cover the personal injury claim, then our client has to rely on their insurance policy to cover the difference. We are not talking about your collision coverage, although that is important. We are talking about bodily injury. If there is not enough insurance, our clients will never be made whole because there is not enough insurance to cover the unexpected harm that has been done to them.
“John” was T-boned at an intersection, which resulted in his car being totaled, a trip to the emergency room, and a diagnosis that included, among other things, a broken arm, traumatic brain injury, whiplash, and at least one surgery on the horizon. “John” is a successful medical provider with a wife and two beautiful kids. When “John” originally signed up for his motor vehicle insurance, he was a bright-eyed college student who was able to sign up from his computer for an inexpensive rate. The hardest part of his first experience was trying to find the most affordable insurance on a college student’s budget. This experience was over 15 years ago, and it was never updated. Both the at-fault driver and “John” have the minimum insurance coverage,
The bottom line is that every person needs to have a yearly insurance review of their existing coverages. As people go through life, their circumstances change. They get married, have kids, and buy houses, and the point of insurance is to protect when the unexpected happens. If you are unsure, feel free to give our office a call to take a look at your existing policy. We are happy to do it.
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