The Power of Saying Thank You GRATITUDE SHOULD BE A YEAR-ROUND PRACTICE
As we approach Thanksgiving, I’m sure you’re thinking about what you’re grateful for this year. When we gather around the turkey and all the other good stuff that goes with it, we often give thanks for the big things like family and health. Without a doubt, these are worth being grateful for, and sharing that gratitude at Thanksgiving is a powerful tradition, but I want to talk about something a little different today. I believe that gratitude shouldn’t be limited to a holiday or time of year; it should be a habit we practice every day. Acting gratefully starts with the two words in the English language nobody says enough: thank you. Simply taking the time to show your appreciation for folks with those simple words can make a huge difference, both to you and the person on the receiving end. And thanks are in order for even the smallest of tasks. Somebody doesn’t need to pull you from a burning building to be worthy of your gratitude. Think about the young fella bagging your groceries at Publix. He probably feels invisible to the vast majority of the people he faithfully serves. The bagger already does a largely thankless job. He doesn’t need to be ignored on top of it. Simply looking him in the eyes and saying, “Thank you. I really appreciate your help,” can make him feel like a superstar. It’s an acknowledgment they hear far too rarely. Bagging groceries may not seem like a big deal, but it still requires somebody lending you a hand. He’s helping . That’s worthy of gratitude. You benefit from being grateful, as well. When we’re not actively thankful, others become invisible to us. In a small but very real way, the world becomes a little dimmer as we retreat ever so slightly into our shells. We quickly forget our blessings. We live in a world where it’s easy to fall prey to relentless negativity. Unless we take the time to recognize our blessings —
even the small ones — we can easily become another one of the doomsayers. Flipping your perspective and looking out for the ways people help you will keep you from growing pessimistic and withdrawn. It opens you to the goodness in the world. I promise that there are countless people helping you out on a daily basis. Take the time to notice.
I’m convinced sharing your sincere thankfulness with somebody has the power to change hearts and minds — including yours.
Gratitude is a value that knows no season. It’s a value we should all hold dear and practice as often as we can. When you demonstrate respect and care for those around you, you’ll be surprised to see how much it’s returned. And living a life of gratitude is even more gratifying than sharing a fantastic meal with the people you love most at the Thanksgiving table. –Rob Usry 864.582.0416
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Acting gratefully starts with the two words in the English language nobody says enough: thank you.
THANKSGIVING PREP FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
responsibility, like measuring ingredients, keeping an eye on timers, and setting the table. Teens and young adults can supervise their younger siblings and cousins in these important tasks and may be called upon to stir what’s on the stove while an adult checks on the football game. ROLL OUT THE DECORATIONS Still not talking about bread . Not everything in Thanksgiving preparation needs to be tied to the kitchen. Creative family members of all ages can work together to bring some seasonal flare to the dining room. Maybe this means picking up some Thanksgiving coloring books, or perhaps the family can venture outdoors to collect autumn trimmings for crafts. It’s a great way to let each family member put their own personal spin on the holiday! HAVE A ‘ROLLER DERBY’ Finally. While an adult should be the one to put these delicious baked goods in the oven, the whole family can help shape the dough. In fact, Care.com recommends making this a contest. Set aside a time when everyone can vie for the title of Fastest Roll Maker, and you’ll have plenty of warm, flaky, delicious treats come dinnertime. Letting everyone play a part may take a little more planning and add slightly more chaos to your Thanksgiving preparations. But it’s sure to produce a lot of great memories and bonding moments among your loved ones. And by the time you sit down to eat, you’ll all have something to be thankful for right in front of you — Those. Delicious. Rolls.
Thanksgiving is more than just a feast; it’s about coming together as a family and being thankful for one another. So why wait to get into the spirit until everyone is seated at the table? Here are a few ways you can make the actual preparation of Thanksgiving dinner fun and engaging for the whole family! GIVE EVERYONE A ROLE No, not those rolls — yet. Making the feast a family project can turn the day from a hectic list of chores into a magical bonding experience. It’s important to match each family member to a job that best fits their abilities. Young children can mash potatoes or rinse ingredients in the sink. Older kids can take on more Testimonial SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT US
Dear Rob,
against the doctor’s advice because the surgery he recommended did not fit within their budget. I did get the surgery that my surgeon wanted me to have because you fought to get what was right for me and did not let me fall through the cracks like so many others who do not get the representation that they need. It was a pleasure to work with someone who saw me as a person and not just another number on a case file or a dollar sign at the end of it all. You actually care, and that meant the world to me. Thanks to you and your wonderful staff, I have 100 percent treatment for both knees for the rest of my life. I only hope that others will benefit from your knowledge, experience, and kindness as I did when I needed it most.
It was a blessing and a godsend when you decided to take my case. I had been struggling with phone calls from workers’ comp and believe me — they are not an easy lot to communicate with. It seemed like a never-ending battle of fighting with them to get what I needed to recuperate and get back to work. When you took my case, I no longer had to worry about my doctor’s appointments, rehab, surgeries, or medications being covered. You did all the work and took over the correspondence with workers’ comp. It gave me back some semblance of normalcy and enabled me to actually concentrate on getting better. For that, there are not enough words to convey my gratitude. I am also eternally grateful that you fought for me when comp decided I should just have a knee replacement
–Dawn S., Lyman workers’ compensation client
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You Can’t Be Fired for Filing a Claim
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
Getting injured at work is a scary proposition. One minute you’re going about your daily duties, and the next your livelihood is in jeopardy. Not knowing where your next paycheck will come from causes all sorts of stress, especially during the holidays. However, filing a workers’ compensation claim shouldn’t be among your worries. When we meet with clients who’ve been injured at work, their No. 1 concern is that they’ll be fired simply for filing a claim. Why this piece of misinformation has been spread so widely is something of a mystery, but the fact of the matter
is that it’s illegal under South Carolina law to fire an employee for filing a valid claim. If an employer does this, it’s called “retaliatory discharge,” and it’s grounds for filing a lawsuit against them. Proving retaliatory discharge requires identifying the filing of a claim as the cause for a firing. Keeping a record of the dates you and your employer took specific actions is extremely useful in this regard. If you were called into your boss’s office and dismissed the day after filing a claim, the courts will put two and two together. A favorable verdict can recover your lost wages and perhaps even mandate your reinstatement to your former position. Luckily, the vast majority of employers act in good faith when it comes to filing a claim. A good boss will want to do everything they can to make sure you’re okay. It’s pretty simple, really: You work hard for them, so they need to take care of you when you get hurt doing your job. It’s also important to remember that your employer isn’t personally footing the bill for your lost wages. It’s likely going to be paid for by the workers’ compensation insurance they purchased for this very reason. If you got hurt at work in Spartanburg, Greenville, Gaffney, or nearby and are worried about how your employer will respond, call us at 864.582.0416 or toll- free at 888.230.1841 for a free meeting. We’ll discuss how we can handle your case with your employer and the insurance company. That way, you can focus on getting better so you can enjoy the holidays and get back to work.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. John 6:11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Good News
SPICY, CREAMY SWEET POTATOES
Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but they’re often the blandest thing on the table. Luckily that’s not the case with this recipe, which features Thai spices and coconut milk.
Ingredients
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1/2 cup dark brown sugar
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5 pounds sweet potatoes
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4 tablespoons unsalted butter
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1 cup canned coconut milk
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1 tablespoon kosher salt
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1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
Directions
1. Heat oven to 375 F. On a large sheet pan, bake potatoes until very soft, approximately 75 minutes. 2. Let potatoes cool until they are safe to handle, then peel and mash. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine coconut milk and curry paste. Once mixed, add the mixture, salt, half the sugar, and half the butter to potatoes. 4. 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover potatoes and dot with remaining butter and sugar. Broil until brown, crusty, and delicious. Serve hot.
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* This newsletter is intended to educate the public about personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and family law issues. You can copy and distribute it as long as you copy the entire newsletter. But the newsletter is not intended to be legal advice; you should ask a lawyer about your specific case. Every case is different, and all case outcomes depend on unique facts and laws.
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INSIDE this issue
1
Gratitude for the Small Things
2
Let Kids Play a Role This Thanksgiving Testimonial Workers’ Compensation and Job Security Spicy, Creamy Sweet Potatoes
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4
The Cook’s Workout
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A QUICK WORKOUT
Prepare Yourself for the Thanksgiving Feast
When you’re in the kitchen cooking your signature dishes for Thanksgiving dinner, you might find yourself with short periods of nothing to do. While you wait, why not fit in a quick workout? Exercising for 30 minutes will help ease any anxieties you may have — perhaps about getting those side dishes just right, or about your in-laws, who will soon be seated at your table. To start off, you’ll need to warm up. Keeping the oven in sight and the timer well within earshot, take a few minutes to loosen up your muscles. Jog in place, do some jumping jacks for a minute, or jump in place for 45 seconds. Warmups often consist of these basic exercises, but one set of each won’t be enough. To make sure your body is completely warmed up, repeat each set at least three times. After you’ve warmed up, it’s time to start the workout. Squat jumps, ski jumps, pushups, plank crawls, and holding a squat stance are easy exercises you can do in your kitchen, dining room, or living room while your feast cooks. Do each exercise as many times as you can in a minute, and just like you did in the warmup, repeat each set three times. While in your squat stance, there are several things you can do. For 30-second intervals, put your arms out in a “T” formation and move them up and down in small pulses. Then move your arms out in front of you and return to the “T” shape. Raise your arms up over your head and clap, and then return once more
to the “T” formation. Rotate your arms in backward circles, switch to forward arm circles, and finish up by holding your squat for an additional 30 seconds.
This 30-minute exercise routine is great for before, during, and after your Thanksgiving meal prep. You don’t have to wait around all day for things to finish up — occupy your downtime with short exercises to keep your heart pumping.
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