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Notes From The Field
November 2022
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What Is the American Dream?
If you were to pose this question to the “man on the street,” as we sometimes see the hosts of late-night talk shows do in order to elicit a laugh, you may hear myriad answers. Most could be summed up as some sort of materialism, riches, or the symbolic house with a white picket fence. Some may even come out and say it doesn’t exist. The phrase “American dream” first appeared in 1931 in a book titled “The Epic of America” written by historian James Truslow Adams: “The American Dream, that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement.” Sarah Churchill wrote that “Adams did not mean ‘richer’ materially, but spiritually; he distinguished the American dream from dreams of prosperity. It was, as he declared, ‘not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.’”
I know, I know, that “ideal” sure doesn’t seem to be a reality in our country today — or our world for that matter, especially if you are watching the “news.” Yet I have conversations with people all the time where they know it’s hard right now and they’re concerned about what is going on in our nation and this world. They haven’t stuck their heads in the sand. And they haven’t given up; they haven’t thrown in the proverbial towel. In fact, we completed an American Dream Experience where those who attended created their True Purpose for Money, that which is more important than money itself. And it was powerful what people created and what they want to be up to in their life regardless of their circumstances. I believe this is what James Adams was speaking to when he said, “It’s not a dream of motor cars or high wages” — rather it is having a purpose for your Money and ultimately for your Life.”
Our plan is to hold more of these American Dream Experiences in 2023 and start a revolution, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, as we approach the holiday season and particularly Thanksgiving, I’m reminded of Abraham Lincoln’s words in his Thanksgiving Proclamation in the midst of the most savage war America has ever experienced: “It has seemed to me fit and proper that [God’s gifts] should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.”
I would encourage you (and myself) to remember the gifts we’ve been given this Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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BRAIN GAMES
This month we encourage you to take a few minutes each day to write down or share with someone the gifts we have been given. Gratitude activates our brain to produce “dopamine,” our brain’s pleasure chemical. Consider the following questions and prompts to help you discover your gratitude: What is one random act of kindness you have experienced in the last few months?
Describe your favorite moment of today.
Think of your favorite person and write down three of their best qualities. What is one thing in your home that is a treasure to you? Why do you value it?
SOLUTION
Where is your favorite place to visit? Describe it in detail.
What are you most excited for in the next month?
A Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving
Allow me to set the scene: A middle-aged woman carefully places a turkey on the table where a beautiful feast is already prepared. A kind gentleman looks over her shoulder in awe of the spread before them. There is a handful of guests that sit around the table, exuding joy and love for one another as they celebrate a meal together. This description is of a famous Norman Rockwell painting lovingly called “Thanksgiving Dinner” and “I’ll be Home for Christmas” by fans of the work. Not only is the painting a technical masterpiece, but it is also a cultural touchstone and has been used for decades to depict the ideal holiday scene for American families. These past couple of years have been difficult and challenging for many families and may not have been the ideal holiday scene. Several things can cause contention surrounding the holidays such as differing worldviews, not living near family, or a loss of a loved one. There are no words to
ease the pain of this loss and the resulting grief you and your family may experience. I know for me and my family, this will be true this holiday season. We invite you to ask yourself this question: What would it look like to find love and fulfillment this holiday season, no matter your circumstance? Because what you seek, you will find. The official title of the Norman Rockwell painting is “Freedom from Want,” and he painted it during the height of World War II. Despite its picture-perfect appearance, Rockwell created the piece with the intention of reminding the American people of the love and community we share, even amid tragedy and hardship. Whatever difficult circumstances you are facing this year, we want you to know that you are like family to us, and we want you to experience freedom, fulfillment, and love this holiday season and every season. May your holidays be filled with love and joy this year!
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TAKE A BREAK
College graduates are eager to get into the workforce and start using their newly acquired knowledge in the “real world.” However, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, only 20% of U.S. college students in 2009 had a job after they graduated. In 2009, Trina Thompson found herself in that 80% of unemployed graduates, and she wanted to do something about it. I WANT MY MONEY BACK! Recent Graduate Sues Her College After graduating from Monroe College in New York, Thompson couldn’t find a suitable job. So she filed a $70,000 case against her school (the amount of her tuition for her bachelor’s degree) and $2,000 to compensate her for what she endured while searching for a job. In her lawsuit, she claimed that the college’s career counselors promised career advice and job leads but didn’t work hard enough to find her a job. In addition, she suggested that Monroe’s Office of Career Advancement shows preferential treatment to students with high GPAs — not students like herself who had a low GPA. In response to the case, Monroe College spokesman Gary Axelbank said, “The lawsuit is completely without merit. While it’s clear that no college, especially in this economy, can guarantee employment, Monroe College remains committed to working with all its students … to prepare them for careers and to support them during their job search.” But Thompson or the college didn’t have to worry about attending trial because the case didn’t make it that far. Her case might have stood up in court if she hadn’t received a job offer. Her media attention and IT degree caught the eye of Steve Bellamy, CEO of The Ski Channel. He loved her hunger and willingness to put herself out there, and he offered her a position at his
APPLE CRANBERRY CRISP
Ingredients
• 3 cups peeled and chopped tart apples • 1 1/2 cups cranberries • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided
• 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 1/3 cup butter, cold • Vanilla ice cream (optional)
company. Thompson got the job, so her case was eventually dissolved.
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a large bowl, combine apples, cranberries, 1/4 cup brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. 3. Grease an 8-inch baking dish and pour the mixture into it. 4. In a small bowl, mix flour and the remaining brown sugar. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle this over the fruit. 5. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
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818-369-7900 FieldLawPC.com
P.O. Box 8306 La Crescenta, CA 91224 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Defining the American Dream
Caleb’s Corner A Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving
Apple Cranberry Crisp Recent Graduate Sues Her College
It’s National Gratitude Month!
It’s About Showing Gratitude Thanksgiving Is About More Than Food
As we prepare for our Thanksgiving feasts, Thursday night football games, and Black Friday shopping, take some time to show gratitude for those around you and for what you have. Here are a few ways to practice gratitude this month. Appreciate everything. Get into the habit of being grateful for the little things in your life. It can be easy to acknowledge the “big” things, but nothing is too small to be thankful for. You can be grateful the weather is nice and sunny, that you received the package you’ve been waiting for, or that you got out of bed today. Don’t leave out anything when practicing gratitude. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware of what’s happening around you. So, instead of being overwhelmed by what you need to do tomorrow or next week, focus on the present moment and enjoy the time you spend solo or with your loved ones. Live in the moment and take one day at a time. Tomorrow will surely come, and you only have a limited amount of time in the present. Celebrate your challenges. Sometimes struggles and battles in our lives can weigh us down. But when you persevere and continue to push forward, you will find success. Challenges help you improve your abilities and resilience,
so celebrate the progress you’ve made. Showing gratitude for challenges and negative experiences allows us to acknowledge humility and appreciate growth in our lives. Keep a journal. Writing down the things you’re grateful for will remind you of all the great things you have when other things aren’t going so well. So, keep a journal about what you’re grateful for each day or week — even if it’s just small things at first. Your perspective on life will change, and it will get easier to see the good things and to feel grateful for things you were likely overlooking. Showing gratitude is something we should do every day, all throughout the year — not just during the holidays. So, try to practice mindfulness and gratitude using these tips! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
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