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Protecting Bright Futures
NOVEMBER 2019
Bright Futures Bulletin
YouHave theRight toBear Arms, but YouBetter BeRight
I am a regular guest on Court TV and into the wrong apartment and killed a 26-year-old accountant who was sitting on his sofa, eating ice cream and watching football. She claimed “mistake of fact,” alleging she thought she was in her own apartment and that the gentleman inside was a burglar. Her defense team relied on the “castle doctrine.” This legal concept says that if you are in your “castle” or home, any deadly force used is presumed to be reasonable. In these cases, the prosecution must prove that the use of force was unreasonable to get a conviction. Both sides agreed that Guyger genuinely believed that she was in her own apartment and that the person inside was an intruder. The dispute was whether that was a “reasonable” belief, given all the facts and circumstances, and whether her subsequent actions were reasonable. Ultimately, the jury found Guyger guilty of murder and sentenced her to 10 years in prison. It was a tragic case. This was a difficult trial for me to cover. I am a firm believer in the right to bear arms, but I was really torn up by the tragedy of this case. A true mistake of fact, reasonable or not, resulted in the death of an incredible young man just beginning his career. recently, the network covered the case of Texas v. Amber Guyger. This was a very controversial case involving off-duty police officer Amber Guyger who went
His family testified during the trial, and theywere all God-fearing, hardworking people who were devastated by this loss. This trial led me to think about my own decisions regarding protecting myself. Several years ago, a local attorneywas representing a woman in a divorce and the litigation was very contentious. The husband walked into the attorney’s office in the middle of the day and shot and killed him. When I heard about this, it scared me. My knee- jerk reaction was, “I need to learn how to use a gun and get a permit to carry.” I immediatelywent to a gun range and learned how to shoot. I was very uncomfortable with it, but I thought it was important to protect me and my family. But something changed my mind. A retired police officer friend offered to help me become proficient. He said to me, “Are you prepared to shoot to kill?”
"My first thought was 'What if I make a mistake?'"
My first thought was “What if I make a mistake?”
After careful deliberation, I decided that it was a risk I was not willing to take. So, I don’t do it. I
certainly understand those that do. But, remember, if you shoot to kill, you better be right. Just ask Amber Guyger.
–Phyllis Gingrey Collins
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Your Vote Matters, and, Someday, Your Kid’sWill Too!
Teach a Lesson About Voting This Election Day!
The Gobble Jog There’s no reason why children can’t be involved in local elections. Let your kids tag along to the voting area, and ask for help from city workers and local representatives to answer your kids’ questions. You can even set up your own family election by holding a vote over what to have for dinner or where the next family vacation should be located. If you’re looking for bedtime books to feed their curiosity, try out fun reads like “O, Say Can You See? America’s Symbols, The 2020 presidential election is heating up, but Election Day 2019 still requires citizens’ voices to decide the fate of their cities, counties, states, and judgeships. As the U.S. enjoys a relatively quiet election day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, use the opportunity to teach your children about their civic duty and the power of voting. For the Young Kiddos
Landmarks, and InspiringWords” by Sheila Keenan. Various websites, like KidsVotingUSA. org, also have ample resources for educators and families.
For NewVoters
sample ballots. And, of course, when Election Day rolls around, celebrate their first vote!
T he Gobble Jog is a wonderful Thanksgiving Day tradition in Every year, thousands converge on the Marietta Square for the annual run including a 1K, 5K, 10K, and a Tot Trot. This year will be the 17th year of this great tradition. MUST Ministries is a nonprofit organization providing food, clothing, shelter, job training, and more to our fellow citizens in need in Cobb County and Cherokee County. This wonderful organization has been serving our citizens for 48 years. MUST Ministries serves about 33,000 people annually, mostly women and children. and restrictions can be confusing. Start by walking your teen through the registration process, which can be done in person at your municipality's office or online at USA.gov or Vote. org. Next, talk with your teen about what’s at stake in the upcoming election. Be careful not to seed your language with opinions so your teen can develop their own view. Direct them to resources like Ballotpedia.org, where they can find information, practice voting, and see local Marietta, benefiting MUST Ministries. Turning 18 comes with the newfound responsibility of voting for our country’s leaders, and, for new voters, the system, ballots,
Don’t Forget About You!
This one of my favorite charities. Many of my clients are required to complete community service, and I always recommend MUST Ministries first. We are in the business of helping people in crisis at PhyllisLaw.com. That is why we are a proud supporter of organizations that help people who need it the most. Our clients often end up healing themselves through service to others. I am not a runner, but I always enjoy the experience. Watching all the families attend this event and seeing all the creative Thanksgiving costumes is a wonderful way to start Thanksgiving Day. Hope to see you all there on Nov. 28 in the Marietta Square! Voting is a right and privilege that comes with U.S. citizenship. Don’t miss your opportunity to have your voice heard. Learn more about your local election by visiting Ballotpedia. org or contacting your municipality, and be sure to register to vote if you haven’t already. Remember, your kids learn by watching what you do, not just by listening to what you say. Inspire them to get involved and, when the time comes, exercise their right to vote!
Photo courtesy of Philip M. Goldstein
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SUDOKU BREAK Solution on pg. 4
Sit in Gratitude AND FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE In anticipation of Thanksgiving, let’s talk about gratitude. Many great thought leaders talk about the power of sitting in gratitude to cope with negative thoughts and anxiety. Considering the opioid abuse epidemic in this country, it’s time we searched for more natural ways to deal with these issues when possible and to take a more proactive approach to our wellness. Start basic. Appreciate everything. Give thanks for waking up tomorrow morning. Give thanks for having hot water for your morning shower. Give thanks for the mailman delivering the mail on time. Really sit and think about the joy these things bring to your life. Once we have established a habit of sitting in gratitude, we can rewire our brains to be naturally more grateful. Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to start this practice. Writing it down forces us to do the work. I recommend buying “Everyday Gratitude: A daily journal to help you give and receive joy daily” by my great gal pal, Angela Howerter. It is available on Amazon. I’ve been using her journal since January and it’s been a game-changer for me. Express gratitude towards others. When is the last time you thanked a coworker? Have you thanked your best friend for being supportive of you? Have you thanked your boss for giving you a job? It is easy for all of us to focus on the negative. Most of my clients are facing some sort of crisis, whether it’s criminal prosecution, financial instability, or problems at school. Their minds tend to go to the worst places. Sitting in gratitude can get people through these difficult times. I always encourage my clients to focus on making things right, searching for the positive. It’s proven to be a winning strategy so far, and I hope you will embrace it as well.
The Best Leftover Turkey Sandwich
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Thanksgiving may be held on Thursday, but the food often lasts at least through the weekend. To make the best use of the excess, grill up some killer turkey sandwiches.
Ingredients
• • • • • • • •
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
2 slices sourdough bread 2 tbsp Dijon mustard 2 slices Swiss cheese
1/3 cup shredded leftover turkey 3 tbsp leftover cranberry sauce 1/3 cup leftover dressing or stuffing
2 tbsp leftover gravy
1 tbsp butter, room temperature
Note: Don’t worry if you don’t have all the leftovers required.
Directions
1. Coat inside of each bread slice with mustard and a slice of cheese. Place turkey and cranberry sauce on one slice and dressing and gravy on the other. 2. Combine sandwich and spread butter on both sides. 3. In a panini maker or large skillet, grill until crispy and golden brown. 4. Slice and serve.
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Solution from pg. 3
Inside This Issue
Texas v. Amber Guyger 1
Teaching Kids the Power of Voting
The Gobble Jog 2
Sit in Gratitude
The Best Leftover Turkey Sandwich 3
Have You Tried ‘Fire Cider’? 4
Have You Tried ‘Fire Cider’?
What This Zesty Oxymel Can Do for Your Health
“Fire cider” might sound suspiciously like the base of a craft cocktail, but, in fact, it’s a spicy, warming version of oxymel, the classic vinegar-honey mixture that herbalists have used to treat ailments and improve health since ancient times. According to Nourish Shakti, oxymel — literally translated as “acid honey” — dates back to ancient Greece and Persia. It was used to treat all kinds of problems, including indigestion, fevers, and sore throats. Today, when you stir raw honey into your tea with the belief it will help ward off illness, you’re unconsciously following in the footsteps of that ancient practice. Fire cider is a specific type of oxymel, made by adding plants and spices like garlic, peppers, turmeric, ginger, and onions to a base of one part honey and one part vinegar. Nourish Shaki reports that Rosemary Gladstar, the “Godmother of American Herbalism” and founder of the California School of Herbal Studies, coined the term for “a panacea-like
folk remedy specifically used for building immunity and aiding during flu season.” Now that cold weather is officially upon us, fire cider is the perfect addition to your holistic repertoire. The Wondersmith, an herbalist and artist based in the Pacific Northwest, mixes up a version of fire cider to aid digestion and reduce inflammation that she says is “equally at home mixed into a zesty salad dressing, stirred into roasted vegetables, drizzled over hearty meats, or added to rich stews.” The floral take on tradition includes nasturtium flowers and greens, goldenrod flowers, grated ginger, grated turmeric, bee pollen, apple cider vinegar, and honey, all infused in a cool, dark place for a month, then supplemented with orange slices a week before straining. The finished result, The Wondersmith says, can be drizzled over food or taken alone as a tonic. To read the full recipe and learn how to add a bottle of fire cider to your pantry, visit TheWondersmith.com/Blog/2019-oxymel.
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