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SIMPLE ACTIONS, BIG IMPACTS Spreading Random Acts of Kindness: THE LEGAL NAVIGATOR FEBRUARY 2024
I’m thrilled to share a topic with you that’s close to my heart: random acts of kindness. For parents, you know the best lessons we can teach our children start at home. And what better lesson than being kind, not just to others, but to ourselves as well? Did you know that kindness starts with being kind to yourself? It’s not just a feel-good saying; there’s science to back it up. The National Library of Medicine published a study showing that performing a random act of kindness daily for seven days, whether toward yourself, a friend, or a stranger, significantly boosts your overall well-being and happiness. That’s right, being kind actually makes you a happier person! As parents, we always look for ways to instill good values in our children. Here’s something exciting: Kindness can be taught right in the classroom. The website RandomActsOfKindness.com offers free curriculum materials to help teach kids about kindness. Imagine a classroom where kindness is the norm — what a wonderful environment for our children to learn and grow. Speaking of environments, kindness extends to the workplace, too. The same website provides free resources for assessing your workplace environment and incorporating kindness into the culture. Kindness in the workplace creates a culture where people genuinely want to show up and do their best. It includes setting a positive tone, modeling behavior, creating a safe and supportive environment, encouraging a growth mindset, fostering trust and a sense of belonging, promoting effective communication and collaboration, and celebrating successes. Now, let’s talk about practical ways to show kindness. Here are some ideas for random acts of kindness that you and your family can try: • Leave positive messages on sticky notes in public places for others to find. • Surprise a senior home with a kind gesture. • Focus on and remember the positive things in your life. • Write a handwritten letter of thanks or gratitude and mail it.
• Simply listen. • Smile more. • Offer genuine compliments. • Leave change in a vending machine for the next person. • Let someone go ahead of you in line or in traffic. • Be fully present when you’re with others. • Send a friendly “good morning” or “good night” text. • Remember that you are enough. These small acts might seem trivial, but they have a ripple effect, spreading positivity and kindness in ways we can’t imagine. And isn’t that a wonderful thing to be part of? As I wrap up this message, I want to leave you with this thought: Kindness doesn’t cost a thing, but it’s the most valuable gift we can give. It makes our homes happier, our workplaces healthier, and our communities stronger. As a local business committed to the
well-being of our community, we believe in leading by example in this journey of spreading kindness. So, let’s challenge ourselves and our little ones to do one random act of kindness each day and watch the magic unfold.
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Fitness Knows No Age
Draw Inspiration From Mark Wahlberg
Achieving a healthier you is within reach, regardless of age or fitness level. Mark Wahlberg, the Hollywood icon renowned for maintaining impeccable physical fitness over the years, has a routine that can help you. So, grab your sneakers, lace up, and explore the path to achieving fitness like Mark! Rise and Shine Wahlberg is known for his early morning workouts, but there’s no pressure to set your alarm for dawn. Morning exercise has many benefits, including boosting your metabolism and mood, but the key is finding a routine that suits your lifestyle. Whether you prefer sunrise workouts or hitting the gym after work, consistency matters most. Work Smarter, Not Harder Wahlberg’s secret isn’t about spending countless hours at the gym; it’s about high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT workouts involve short bursts of
intense exercise followed by rest. It’s an efficient way to burn calories and build muscle without feeling overwhelmed, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned gym‑goers. Keep It Varied and Enjoyable Variety is essential to make fitness fun. Wahlberg keeps things interesting by incorporating weightlifting, boxing, yoga, and swimming into his routine. You don’t have to try every exercise in existence; the goal is to find activities you enjoy. Make exercise a part of your life that you look forward to. A Positive Mindset Wahlberg’s journey is about more than physical strength; it’s about mental resilience. Staying motivated doesn’t require superhuman determination, just achievable goals and believing in yourself. Visualize your success, big or small, and watch your confidence grow.
Nourish Your Body Wisely Fitness is more than just exercise; nutrition also plays a crucial role. Wahlberg focuses on balanced eating: lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and veggies. Staying hydrated is just as important. Good nutrition and proper hydration are the fuel that powers your fitness journey. Wahlberg’s routine isn’t limited by age; it applies to everyone, regardless of where you are on your fitness journey. There’s no need to feel overwhelmed or pressured. Take it one step at a time, embrace the process, and work toward your fitness goals at your own pace. These practical yet effective tips can unlock the secret to staying in great shape. So, lace up those sneakers and join the club — it’s an adventure worth pursuing!
BEYOND THE STAGE Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Estate Oversight
only acknowledged his son, Cooper, with daughters Tallulah and Willa, born after that, absent from the document. This oversight necessitated a complex navigation through New York’s probate system, showcasing the need for everyone to update their will regularly. The situation raised significant questions about how Hoffman’s daughters figured into the estate since they were born after the will’s creation. Thankfully, New York law, like many other states, offers protection for children in this situation, provided there’s no explicit intent to exclude them. Hoffman’s choice not to marry O’Donnell further complicated matters, leading to a substantial estate tax burden. Unmarried,
Hoffman’s estate faced a staggering tax rate of up to 40% federally and 16% in New York State, culminating in a potential $14 million tax bill from his $35 million estate. Marital status plays a crucial role in estate tax liabilities, something entrepreneurs with significant assets should note. Hoffman’s case exemplifies why proactive and continuous estate planning matters. Regular updates to one’s estate plan can significantly ease the burden on your loved ones during times of grief. It’s a stark reminder to meticulously manage and regularly revise your estate plans, especially for entrepreneurs overseeing considerable assets. It ensures your final wishes are honored, and your loved ones are provided for.
Photo: Georges Biard
The unexpected demise of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman at just 46 shocked the world and brought to light the intricacies of estate planning. His passing left behind a substantial estate worth over $35 million, primarily bequeathed to his long- term partner, Marianne O’Donnell. A glaring issue with Hoffman’s will was its outdated status, failing to encompass his entire family. Drafted in 2004, it
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6 Pieces of Valentine’s Day Trivia
The Hallmark cards have hit the shelves, boyfriends
the other was a man who got caught helping Christians escape into Rome — he later wrote a letter from prison, signing it, “From your Valentine.” Mass-produced valentines weren’t a thing until the 1840s. Known as the Mother of the American Valentine, Esther A. Howland commercialized Valentine’s Day cards that were decorated in ribbons and lace (as some are today) in the 1840s. Sweethearts candies were born in the 1860s. Oliver Chase, a Boston pharmacist, created a machine that produced medicinal lozenges (a common way to take medicine back then). With the success of his machine, he decided to use it to make candy as well, and thus Sweethearts were created in the 1860s. Valentine’s Day is an expensive holiday. According to the National Retail Foundation, in 2019, Americans spent more than $20 billion on the holiday to buy gifts that included flowers, chocolates, cards, and jewelry. It’s a popular day of engagement! According to a survey by American Express, millions of couples get engaged on Valentine’s Day. It was also voted as the best day of the year to pop the magical question.
and husbands have all scrambled to plan, and
the local restaurants are all swimming in reservations — Valentine’s Day has arrived! On this day, many are left wondering how far back exchanging valentines goes, why we exchange valentines, and where those little heart-shaped candies come from. Look no further, we have answers for you. The first valentine dates back to the 15th century. According to History.com, the oldest record of a valentine was in 1415 when a French medieval duke named Charles wrote a poem to his wife while in prison. One of the lines read, “I am already sick of love … My very gentle Valentine.” Saint Valentine is not the same person. It’s unclear which Saint Valentine the holiday is named after. One was a Roman priest who was sentenced to death after being caught illegally marrying couples during a marriage ban and
TAKE A BREAK
Chocolate Pots de Creme
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Ingredients
• 9 oz high-quality semisweet chocolate, chopped • 1 1/2 cups whole milk • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided • 6 large egg yolks
• 5 tbsp granulated sugar (add an extra tbsp if using bitter chocolate) • 1/4 tsp salt • 1 tbsp powdered sugar
Directions
1. Place chopped chocolate into a blender. 2. In a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, whisk the milk, 1 cup of cream, egg yolks, granulated sugar, and salt over medium heat. Cook, constantly stirring with a spatula until the mixture is almost boiling, 5–6 minutes. Immediately pour the milk mixture over the chocolate in the blender. 3. Cover and blend until smooth. 4. Divide the mixture among ramekins or small cups and refrigerate until set (about 2 hours). 5. Whip the remaining 1/2 cup cream and the powdered sugar with a mixer until soft peaks form. 6. Top chilled pots de creme with whipped cream and serve.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Discover Joy in Random Acts of Kindness
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Mark Wahlberg’s Fitness Tips Lessons From Hoffman’s Estate
Valentine’s Day Fun Facts Chocolate Pots de Creme
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Michigan’s Stray With the Biggest Heart
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Scout’s Heartwarming Tale FROM STRAY DOG TO NURSING HOME HERO
traveled to the same location after all his escapes: the Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility. Every time he escaped, Scout crossed a highway, jumped a 10-foot chain link fence and a 6-foot privacy fence, and slipped in the front door to sleep on his couch in the lobby. The nurses at Meadow Brook had to make a choice after Scout reappeared in their lobby for the third time. And after recognizing the patients wanted Scout around just as much as he wanted to be there, they happily took him in. After giving him a check-up, it was clear Scout had not lived the easiest life before finding his way to Meadow Brook. No one knows where he came from before escaping animal control for the first time, what his original name was, or the exact abuse he suffered before finding his forever home. Scout flinches at loud sounds and has round pellets, likely buckshot or BBs,
lodged in his face. But despite his past, Scout openly cares for and protects the residents of Meadow Brook. Scout now patrols Meadow Brook, visiting the residents as often as possible. Whenever someone is having a rough day, whether it’s because a friend forgot to visit or their health is acting up, Scout is there to ease their woes with a damp nose poking for affection and a doggy smile on his face. “He makes a good nursing home dog,” Stephanie Elsey, the facility’s clinical care coordinator, said. “He knows his job, and he’s good at what he does.” Scout’s journey from a shelter’s uncertainty to a beloved member of the Meadow Brook community is more than just a happy tale. It’s a reminder of life’s unexpected joys and the incredible, healing bond between humans and animals.
A heartwarming story unfolded about an hour north of Traverse City, Michigan. It’s the tale of Scout, an adventurous dog whose journey from an abandoned stray to a beloved companion showcases the love our furry friends have for us. Scout’s story began as a frequent escapee from Antrim County Animal Control. Scout constantly “slipped the leash” and
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