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BERT’S BUZZ JAN/FEB 2026
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What We Remember, We Become MEMORY AS A MAP TO WHO WE ARE
Jan. 19 is Good Memory Day, and every year when it comes around, I find myself lingering a little longer on the moments big and small that have shaped who I am. An Italian poet once wrote, “We do not remember days. We remember moments,” and that truth has woven itself into the way I see my own life. I can barely remember what I wore yesterday, but I can feel, deep in my chest, not just in my mind, the moment each of my children entered the world, or the first instant I saw my wife. Those memories are anchors. They’re lanterns along the path that show me who I’ve been and who I’m becoming.
The pain wasn’t the defining part. The meaning became the defining part.
That’s the beauty of memory: It evolves as we do. Sometimes, we don’t recognize the significance of a moment until years later. I still remember a backpacking trip I took alone in the Pecos back in 1996. It rained. It was cold. My pen barely worked in the journal I carried. At the time, I was mostly wondering why on earth I’d chosen that weekend to test my newfound enthusiasm for backpacking. Yet decades later, I look back on that trip as a turning point, a moment when I built a quiet relationship with myself. That moment wasn’t meaningful then. I gave it meaning by remembering it. Of course, most of our happiest memories aren’t solitary at all. They’re tied to the people I love: my kids, my wife, my friends, my team. Even in my office, I’m surrounded by little mementos: a mini skateboard my son made, a tiny paper laptop with “I love you, Dad” scrawled across the screen, a bank my parents gave me when I was 6. None of them came from a store shelf, but each one carries a chapter of my story, waiting to be reread every time my eyes land on it. We live in a world that records everything but remembers very little. Thousands of photos float in the cloud, untouched. But it’s the printed ones, crooked frames, sun-faded edges, that make me pause and remember. Maybe that’s why curating memories has become so important to me. Not collecting everything, but choosing intentionally what deserves space, both on my walls and in my mind.
We each have a past full of bright memories and difficult ones, moments that altered our course without asking permission. Over time, I’ve learned that those memories, even the painful ones, don’t define us. It’s how we define them that matters. And defining them means confronting them, stepping back, and learning from them. That’s one of the reasons I journal every day. It’s no novel or long- winded diary entry, but just three simple reflections, three things I’m grateful for. Some days it’s easy: a funny moment with one of the kids, a beautiful sunrise on my drive, or even a quiet cup of coffee before the house wakes up. Other days, I write about something that hurt: losing my temper, getting frustrated, falling short. On those days, I’m not grateful the moment happened. I’m grateful I care enough to reflect on it, to look at it honestly, and to learn how to respond better next time. Journaling turns disconnected days into a story with depth, one where even the rough chapters matter. It’s the story of my life, where each moment carries meaning, and where even the hard parts belong. I learned that lesson the long way. When I was younger, a knee injury changed the path I thought I was on. A Yale football coach had been recruiting me, and suddenly that bright future dimmed in an instant. But looking back, that injury nudged me toward boxing, a sport that shaped me for years and taught me resilience I still rely on today.
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STEPS TO SPEED HEALING AND REGAIN YOUR MOMENTUM AFTER AN ACCIDENT Bounce Back Stronger in 2026
Manage stress to accelerate healing. Stress releases hormones that slow repair. Simple daily practices like deep breathing, short walks outside, and brief guided meditations all lower stress chemicals and help you sleep. Lean on hobbies, small rituals, or meaningful routines that anchor your day. A calmer mind promotes a faster body. Keep careful records for your health and your claim. Documenting your recovery is a practical approach to tracking your recovery and a smart legal preparation strategy. Attend appointments, follow provider instructions, and keep copies of medical notes, bills, and prescriptions. Build a realistic comeback plan. Set short, measurable goals: Walk an extra five minutes, do your home program three times this week, and go to bed an hour earlier. Celebrate the small wins. If you’re aiming to return to work or a sport, work backward from that goal with your therapist and attorney so that your timeline respects both recovery and your claim strategy. Use your people, and don’t go it alone. Recovery is easier with support. Family, friends, medical professionals, and your legal team all play roles. Let others help with errands, caregiving, or reminders for appointments. Your legal team can guide how medical choices affect your claim; keeping them informed protects both your health and your rights.
If you’re coming out of an accident and carrying the weight of a personal injury claim into the New Year, then healing may be at the top of your list of resolutions. If so, then it’s time to understand that healing takes more than just time; it takes intentional changes. The right routines speed tissue repair, protect your legal case, and put you on firmer footing physically and emotionally. Let’s make 2026 the year you rebuild. Make sleep your first priority. Deep sleep helps rebuild tissues, reduce inflammation, and reset your nervous system so pain feels less sharp. As you build a healthy healing routine, aim for consistent bedtimes, limit screens before sleep, and treat rest like a prescribed treatment, not laziness. If pain or medication is disrupting rest, tell your doctor; better sleep boosts every other part of your recovery. Eat to rebuild and enrich. Focus on high-quality protein sources (such as fish, poultry, and beans), plenty of colorful produce, and foods rich in vitamin C, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids to support tissue repair and help calm inflammation. If supplements are an option, run them by your clinician so they fit your meds and needs. Small, frequent meals and adequate protein across the day make a surprisingly big difference for muscle and wound recovery. Hydrate like it’s your full-time job. Hydration helps nutrients reach injured areas and keeps joints and tissues pliable. Sip water throughout the day; soups, smoothies, and water-rich fruits count too. Dehydration can amplify pain and fatigue, so keep a bottle handy and set reminders if needed. Move with purpose (and professional backup). Total rest is rarely the answer. Guided movement promotes circulation, prevents stiffness, and preserves strength. Start with low-impact, controlled exercises and advance slowly. Pain is your guide: Soreness is expected, sharp or worsening pain is a stop sign. If you’re unsure how to train around an injury, get professional help before you push.
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In a world that races ahead at full speed, it’s easy to lose sight of wonder. We rush through our routines, scrolling, planning, and worrying, and rarely pause just to feel. But when we do stop long enough to notice the world’s quiet beauty, something remarkable happens: We experience awe. This emotion, which is part surprise, part reverence, can shift our perspective, soothe our nervous system, and reconnect us with something larger than ourselves. Discover the magic of feeling awe. When we are captivated with awe, time seems to slow. Our thoughts, usually centered on our own problems and plans, suddenly expand to encompass the broader picture, which helps dissolve stress and boosts emotional well-being. Research indicates that awe can reduce inflammation, lower heart rate, and even promote compassion. It’s as if our minds momentarily reboot and remind us that life is vast and full of meaning beyond our daily concerns. Standing beneath a star-filled sky or witnessing a child’s laughter can make us feel small, but not in a diminishing way. Instead, we sense our place in life. That feeling of belonging and connectedness nourishes emotional balance and strengthens our resilience. Encounter awe in everyday moments. You don’t need to climb a mountain or visit a famous landmark to experience awe. It’s waiting in the subtle corners of your day: the way sunlight dances on a wall, the sound of rain tapping on the roof, or how someone’s kindness catches you off guard. Try taking a few minutes each day to slow down and look around. Step outside, watch the clouds, or listen to a piece of music that stirs you. When you allow awe to find you, you begin to reconnect with presence, gratitude, and joy. Awe heals because it reminds us that we’re part of something larger and endlessly unfolding. In moments of difficulty, wonder offers perspective and hope. It grounds us, opens our hearts, and helps us see clearly beyond fear or fatigue. So, pause today. Let a moment of awe find you and allow it to do its quiet, powerful work. The Everyday Magic That Heals Us Finding Awe in the Ordinary
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My wife has a tradition that I’ve grown to love deeply. Every year, she writes down what she calls our “magic moments,” pages of small and extraordinary things our family did, accomplished, shared, or overcame. Trips, school milestones, kindnesses, celebrations, surprises, and even the challenges we navigated together. Then, at the end of the year, we sit down and read them. Every time, I find myself thinking, I had forgotten about that, or I didn’t realize how much we did. Those pages remind us that our life isn’t made of days, but of the moments that catch our breath and change us a little. As we step into a new year, that’s something I hope you’ll hold close. Memories aren’t just what happened; they’re how we choose to remember them. They’re our connection to the people we love, to who we were, and to who we’re becoming. And every day, every single ordinary day, has at least one moment worth keeping.
All it takes is paying attention.
—Bert Parnall
Spiced Apple Chai Mocktail This gently spiced mocktail combines bold chai and sweet apple cider for a comforting, alcohol-free treat.
• 1 chai tea bag • 1 cup apple cider Ingredients
• 1 tsp honey • Ice cubes • Apple slices, for garnish
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Directions 1. Steep the chai tea bag in 8 oz of hot water for 5 minutes, then let it cool. 2. Combine the tea, apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, and honey in a cocktail shaker. 3. Shake well to mix thoroughly. 4. Strain into two glasses and garnish with apple slices.
Inspired by ThirstyTales.com
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If you are a medical professional or a lawyer practicing in another area of law, we welcome you to refer your patients or clients. We know you want the best for your patients and clients, and so do we. Call us today at 505-268-6500 or visit HurtCallBert.com for more information on our services.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
The Magic Hidden in Ordinary Days
2
Essential Habits for Healing After an Injury in 2026
3
Spiced Apple Chai Mocktail
Healing Through the Eyes of Awe
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Design a Life You Don’t Need a Break From
The Cure for Burnout Isn’t Always a Vacation We live in a hustle culture, where we’re
breaks, listening to music you enjoy, walking throughout the day, and putting work out of your mind when you leave for the day. When we get caught up in the chaos of everyday life, we often lose sight of what truly matters. Staying present in the moment and focusing on all the good things in life can help turn any sour experience into something sweet. Focus on all your blessings, from your home to your loved ones. Lastly, be sure to practice self-care and make time for the things you enjoy. Spend time with the people you love, participate in your favorite hobbies and activities, take a nature walk, and add elements to your home that inspire happiness.
encouraged to push ourselves to our limits: accomplish everything at work, get the kids ready for school and extracurricular activities, and take care of all of our other needs and responsibilities. These unending demands inevitably lead to burnout, which causes us to feel like we need a vacation. But wouldn’t it be nice if you enjoyed your life so much that you didn’t need to escape? Adjusting your habits, routine, and schedule can make this possible. It starts with your workday. For many Americans, work is the greatest source of stress and burnout in their lives, but it doesn’t have to be. You can change that by adding practices that make your workday more enjoyable. Depending on what your workplace allows, you might try things like taking regular
If you feel like it’s time for a vacation, you may need more than just a change of scenery!
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