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A pril 2023
Finding Happiness Requires Taking a Chance G reener on the O ther S ide ?
Fear can hold us back from doing many things. In some cases, that’s fortunate; fear for our health and safety can prevent us from making poor and reckless decisions we’d likely regret. But other times, fear prevents us from leading the lives we want. National Take a Chance Day on April 23 encourages us to throw caution to the wind — but is that always a good thing? Ultimately, pain or pleasure is behind every risk we take. For example, my desire to free fall through the air is not strong enough to counteract the fear of hitting the ground at full speed, so I’ll never go skydiving. Other people enjoy the thrill sufficiently to take that chance. Meanwhile, everyone has a different pain threshold they must reach before finally saying “enough” to a bad situation. Whether you’re responding to pain or pleasure, the question is if what you’re trying to accomplish or avoid is worth setting fear aside. Anyone who decides to get married is taking a chance on their spouse. No one knows what the future holds or whether the relationships they form will stand the test of time. People initiating a divorce are also taking a chance. They’ve reached their limit on the pain the relationship is causing them and gambling that life will be better once they’re single. At the same time, fear sometimes convinces people to put off the inevitable for years before they finally get the courage to dissolve a bad marriage. Some take a different kind of chance. The pull of pleasure — and sometimes, the fear of breaking things off too quickly — influences many to “test the waters,” so to speak, by committing adultery. For thousands of years, people have used cheating to resolve the question of whether life would be better on the other side. We’re in Columbus! We’re excited to announce the opening of our newest location for The Manely Firm in Columbus. Our stunning new office has a gorgeous view and will allow us to help even more families throughout Georgia. As always, we’d greatly appreciate any referrals to friends or family you
Of course, it’s an ethically fraught option that can cause much pain. And if you’re caught, there’s no guarantee you can return to the way things were. But while I’d never encourage it to resolve marriage troubles, those who have chosen that path are in substantial company. There are 13 grounds for getting a divorce in Georgia, one being that the relationship is “irretrievably broken” (better known as “irreconcilable differences”). People deciding their marriage is irretrievably broken is the most frequent reason for divorce. But adultery is easily the second most common. For those wondering whether to dissolve their marriages, I encourage them to return to the equation of pleasure and pain. Do you dread going home after work at the end of the day? At what point does the pain become sufficiently real that you no longer should? Meanwhile, cheating or breaking up might seem like it will make you happy. But is that possible pleasure worth the risk? Every person must decide the answer to that question for themselves. Taking a chance might possibly make our lives better. But before leaping, be sure you’re prepared to live with the consequences, whatever they may be. –Michael Manely 1
may have in the area. The Manely Firm 1111 Bay Avenue, Suite 450 Columbus, GA 31901
Call for a Consultation: ( 866) 245-5685
5 D ocumentaries to W atch on E arth D ay SHARE THE FACTS WITH YOUR WHOLE FAMILY!
‘Extinction: The Facts’ — This hard-hitting documentary from famous nature historian David Attenborough is perfect for kids ages 16 and up. It tackles serious topics like species loss, food and water shortages, and the relationship between climate change and pandemic diseases. “Extinction: The Facts” is available on PBS.org or Prime Video. ‘Kiss the Ground’ — Join actor Woody Harrelson on Netflix for an inspiring look at soil, why it matters, and what farmers and activists are doing to save and enhance it — and our food supply. The documentary is family-friendly and rated G.
Earth Day is coming up on Saturday, April 22. But do your kids know why we commemorate the holiday? Do you? If you don’t know much about the history of environmentalism — or just want to learn more about the state of our planet — consider celebrating Earth Day by watching a documentary as a family. Dozens of fantastic films cover everything from the crusade to preserve our coral reefs to how farmers use soil health to enhance the planet. Here are a few of our favorites.
‘Kids Take Action Against Ocean Plastic’ — This short five-minute documentary from National Geographic follows a group of Hawaiian students determined to clean up their local beaches. It’s available for free on National Geographic’s YouTube channel! (If you watch it and love this documentary, check out the PG-rated flick “Plastic Island” on Netflix, which tackles the same issue in Indonesia.) ‘Brave Blue World: Racing to Solve Our Water Crisis’ — This PG-rated documentary about water security takes place on five continents and stars celebrities Liam Neeson, Matt Damon, and Jaden Smith. Check it out on Netflix.
None of these documentaries existed in 1970 when anti-pollution activists came together to create Earth Day, build the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), and pass laws to protect our air and water. But they’re
a wonderful extension of that spirit! Hopefully, you’ll be able to find time to watch at least one of them this month. After watching, consider taking action and volunteering for a green project near you.
T hird T ime ’ s the C harm Catherine Gonzalez Loves Her Paralegal Career
It took Catherine Gonzalez a few tries to find her passion. She began her career as a project manager for trade shows and conventions but didn’t feel fulfilled throughout her many years in the industry. She attempted a second career as a stay- at-home mom but realized she missed working outside the home. In 2015, she decided to pursue a lifelong interest in the law by finding work as a paralegal. It turned out to be a perfect fit. Though Catherine had initially planned to work in business, tax, or immigration law, fate had other plans. She found a job at a family law firm, and “I loved it, so I decided to stick with it,” she says. Catherine joined The Manely Firm in 2018 and says, “I still enjoy this work after all these years.” Specifically, Catherine loves helping people on a challenging and unfamiliar journey. “Imagine you went to Russia, and you didn’t speak the language or know what to do or where to go, but you had a trusted tour guide who could help you find your way around,” she explains. “That’s how I look at my job. I think it’s extremely important how we help people through a difficult time in their lives.”
She also appreciates how everyone at The Manely Firm works together toward a common goal. “I think the relationships I have with the other paralegals and the attorneys are fantastic,” Catherine says. “We all want the best for our coworkers and clients, and there’s no undermining or competitiveness here.” Catherine has two children, ages 15 and 8. Along with her boyfriend and his children, her family is passionate about new and exciting experiences. “We travel quite a bit, and we like to discover new restaurants and different parts of Atlanta,” she says. Their favorite pastime is watching Atlanta United soccer games live at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. After two false starts, Catherine is happy to have finally found work she enjoys and allows her to help others. “Most people are very unfamiliar with the law, and a divorce is a highly emotional situation,” she says. “People need someone they can trust, and I think that’s what The Manely Firm does for our clients.”
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“Embrace the present moment fully and with passion, because only through the present moment do
we truly live. ” –R ichard L. H aight
A F oundation of C ompassion
O ne -P an C hicken and M ushrooms W ith E gg N oodles
Engaging With Systems Empathetically
Inspired by MarthaStewart.com
Our previous newsletter discussed how none of us is an island; we’re all connected in ways both big and small. During Compassion Integrity Training, The Manely Firm also learned that we’re all a part of larger systems. Sometimes, those systems are small, like our families or workplaces, but we’re members of larger communities that make up the entire world. Once we understand that we’re part of a whole, we can learn to make changes from within. The Manely Firm is most notably a part of the wider justice system. And while that system is much bigger than us, we can influence the experience of families who move through it. Doing that requires analyzing the impact our actions and the broader system have on others. As parts of systems, everything we do has a farther-reaching impact than we typically think, and there’s ample room for bias to come into play. One example might be our highway system. We don’t typically think of a road as having any bias, but that’s because we haven’t considered how building them upended existing communities. (And in some cases, the intent may have been malicious.) So, we try to take a step back and consider the larger picture — especially as an international firm serving people from many different backgrounds worldwide. We’ve taken the time to examine our policies, procedures, and ways of interacting with clients to ensure that our habits don’t fail to build compassion and consideration for others. For example, think of the way technology is ubiquitous in modern society. We engage with our clients through various pieces of technology, and countless clients find it convenient. But not everyone is comfortable with technology or has access. Therefore, it wouldn’t be very compassionate of us to create online-only processes for our clients to complete their cases successfully. Doing so might be easier for us. We’d be more efficient and profitable if we eliminated manual procedures. But by doing so, we’d also be denying access to 10%–15% of our clients uncomfortable with using technology. We’d cause them stress, frustration, and confusion — all so we can save a few dollars or minutes. That’s not a compassionate way forward. So, The Manely Firm looks to our clients’ needs and determines how we can serve everyone equally. Sometimes, it’s as easy as keeping a fax machine in the office.
I ngredients
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3 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, halved
• • • • •
8 oz shallots, peeled and halved
3 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup heavy cream
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8 oz egg noodles
• • •
Salt and ground pepper 3 tbsp butter, divided
1/3 cup chopped fresh dill
8 oz button mushrooms, trimmed
D irections 1.
In a large pan over medium heat, cook bacon until browned, 7–9 minutes. Remove from heat, discard fat, and set aside. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Return pan to medium-high heat and melt 2 tbsp butter. Add chicken, skin-side down. Cook, turning a few times, for 10–12 minutes until browned. Transfer to a plate. 2. Place remaining 1 tbsp butter in pan to melt. Add mushrooms and shallots; cook 8–10 minutes. Add broth and cream; bring to a boil. Stir in noodles. 3. Add chicken (skin-side up), cover pan, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring once halfway through. Cook about 10–12 minutes. 4. Uncover and simmer until thickened. Stir in dill and top with bacon. Serve and enjoy!
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211 Roswell St. NE Marietta, GA 30060 (866) 687-8561 www.allfamilylaw.com
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Taking a Chance on Happiness
Earth Day Documentaries to Watch Meet Paralegal Catherine Gonzalez! Making Our Systems More Empathetic One-Pan Chicken and Mushrooms With Egg Noodles
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Top 3 Extended Stay Destinations
A ll A board the E xtended V acation T rend
TOP 3 VACATION DESTINATIONS FOR A LONGER STAY
The pandemic slowed us down. Over the past few years, we collectively took fewer vacations, boarded fewer cruise ships, and avoided airports. However, many studies and reports show that now, more than ever, Americans are taking longer vacations! Why might this be, and what are some of the greatest destinations for an extended stay? According to Amex Travel’s 2022 Global Travel Trend Report, 55% of vacationers are interested in taking longer trips because they can work remotely. The trend of swapping homes is also on the rise. HomeExchange’s website reports that home exchanges of two weeks or more increased by 13% in January-May last year. According to Travel Pulse, 26% of people opt to take a trip that exceeds 10 days. If you are interested in taking a more extended vacation, whether it’s because your job went remote, you lost out on travel time in 2020-2022, or you saved on gas money while working from home, here are some great destinations that support a longer stay. Visit the national parks. There is no better way to connect with nature than to tour the national parks. Several epic national park road trips could allow you to pack in a dozen or more of these natural gems in just a couple of weeks! Many national parks also accommodate RVs for comfort and convenience. Drive the California coast. A trip up and down the California coast never disappoints. With so many great places to stop and breathtaking views to absorb, you’ll need at least two weeks to
experience them properly. You’ll want to explore the Redwood National Forest, the Lost Coast, Pebble Beach, Monterey Bay, Half Moon Bay, Big Sur, Venice Beach, and many more! Hop aboard a cruise. A cruise is one of the best ways to see many destinations in one trip. You could visit several countries in just two weeks, stopping in different ports to explore! On a cruise, you could see the Caribbean one day and wake up somewhere completely different the next day with a new adventure ahead!
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