February 2019
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The Importance of Honesty One of My Core Values
Feb. 12 marks the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, which has led me to think about the value of honesty for the past couple of weeks. Honesty has always been one of my core values and has played into everything I do. There is a quote by the former president that goes, “Whatever you are, be a good one,” and I try to be a good lawyer every day. In my profession, I interact with many people on a daily basis. The openness that’s needed to encourage, support, and comfort them comes from a respect for honesty. When someone attempts to cover up the truth with a lie — even a white lie — it can hurt the recipient and the person telling a lie. There’s nothing that hurts worse than when you realize someone you trust is being dishonest in their dealings. It goes back to the golden rule: “Do unto others, as you would have unto you.” I fully believe that this is the only way to live; my Christian values play a considerable role in my life. We’re designed to be sincere in our actions, thoughts, and speech, and honesty is far more rewarding than lying. Dishonesty always comes back to haunt the person who employs it. When you’re honest with yourself, you will feel better emotionally and physically. Being honest with yourself boosts your self-worth, self- confidence, willpower, and faith. A person who is honest with themselves avoids indecision, irritation, and distractions that arise from being deceitful. A person who tells a lie deludes themselves into thinking that lie is real, and
they soon find themselves shackled by these negative emotions.
I try to live by my core value of honesty every day, both personally and in my professional dealings. Telling the truth comes naturally to me. I don’t have to remind myself to speak the truth throughout my day; I just do it. There’s no magic formula that I use to steer me away from lying because there’s nothing that tempts me into being dishonest to myself or the individuals I speak to. Communicating the truth with the people I meet and love is far more fulfilling than trying to cover something up. As an attorney, I know that honesty is essential for everyone to practice. As Honest Abe said, “Resolve to be honest at all events; and if in your own judgment you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer.” This month, remember the words of Abe Lincoln, both for ourselves and for the people in our lives.
Truth be told, being honest is far easier than lying. When someone lies, they have to come up with a falsehood and then maintain it. By telling the truth from the beginning, no matter how difficult, you will avoid a life filled with hardship and gain respect from your peers. There’s nothing to be gained by beating around the bush in an attempt to avoid confrontation or hide an insecurity. Moving straight to the point will alleviate any frustrations you may feel. People will respect you for being straightforward and trust your decisions far more than those of individuals who are dishonest.
REFERRALS WELCOME We thank you so much for referring clients to us over the years. We are grateful that you have trusted us with taking care of those who need our services. For any referrals, please contact us at (205) 327-8311 or fill out our online contact form at petrolawfirm.com.
www.petrolawfirm.com | 1 -Mark Petro
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3 TIMES THE DIVISION OF ASSETS GOT OUT OF CONTROL Wild Divorce Settlements
When you’re untying the knot, it’s important to be specific about the assets you hope to walk away with. These three over-the-top divorce settlements are good examples of what not to do when dissolving your marriage.
he and his wife should divide their assets in half — literally. Moeun and his relatives cut the home down the middle, dismantled his portion, and hauled it away. Vat’s half was left standing with one wall missing.
YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDNEY ME
‘HERE, MY DEAR’
Back in 2001, Dr. Richard Batista donated his kidney to his ailing wife, Dawnell, to save her life. Sweet, right? It was — until Dawnell filed for divorce in 2005 and Dr. Batista demanded she give back his kidney or compensate him for $1.5 million in damages. In the end, his request was thrown out in court because the kidney was a gift — and because removing it would be potentially fatal to his ex-spouse.
In the divorce agreement between the late Marvin Gaye and his ex, Anna Gordy, it was decided that Anna would be paid from the royalties of Gaye’s next album since he had gone broke from his lavish spending. At first, Gaye decided he’d phone in the production, but he quickly discovered an opportunity to make a unique artistic statement: “I’ll give her my next album, but it’ll be something she won’t want to play and it’ll be something she won’t want the world to hear because I’m gonna tell the world the truth.” In the end, the album was a commercial flop, though critics continue to praise its raw, emotional core.
A LIFE RENT IN TWO
When Moeun Sarim and Vat Navy decided to divorce after 18 years of marriage, Moeun apparently decided that, to keep the split equitable,
Embracing ‘Spendophobia’ WAYS TO INVEST IN YOURSELF AFTER RETIREMENT
INVEST IN YOUR HOME
You’ve spent your entire life being told to save, save, save. Now you’re finally retired, so it’s time to spend some of that money — but you’re scared! This is only natural because it means breaking a lifelong habit of socking away money and refusing to touch it. You’re not alone. A recent study of retirees’ spending habits showed many people actually spend less than they can afford to. They’re scared of the “what ifs” that come with living on a fixed income. However, at age 70 1/2, you have to start taking the required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your traditional IRA and 401(k) whether you want to or not. Instead of stressing over the fact that you’re pulling money out of these accounts, embrace the opportunity to do something for yourself.
Once you no longer have to work five days a week, you’ll be in your home more often, so why not make it amazing? An in-ground pool or a private tennis court might be outside your budget, but new kitchen countertops or a deeper tub will add a touch of luxury to the space you spend the most time in. Upgrading your home is almost always a good investment because it adds equity, which will pay off down the road. That extra cash will come in handy if you decide to sell later on in order to downsize or you plan to enter assisted living. Don’t forget to set aside money for ongoing maintenance, such as a new water heater or roof repairs. It might sound counterintuitive to go to college when you’re not planning to go back to work, but continuing your education after retirement offers many benefits. Many individuals find themselves with more time on their hands than they’re accustomed to, and without a plan to fill this time, it’s easy to become depressed or isolated. Numerous studies have shown that continuing to exercise your brain has a positive impact on cognitive function, so taking a few classes can be the perfect way to stay busy and keep your mind sharp. Attending school late in life is also a great opportunity to indulge your passions and learn more about subjects you’ve always been interested in. Many colleges offer free classes or reduced tuition to seniors, so check with your local schools and see what classes or programs they have available. GO BACK TO COLLEGE
TRAVEL
It can be tempting to hold off spending money as long as possible. After all, who knows how long you need your savings to last? Travel, however, is one thing you can indulge in early without feeling guilty. Even the most leisurely trips can be physically demanding, so it’s better to see the world at 70 rather than wait until you’re 90. To keep yourself on track financially, use the bucket system to set up a separate savings account just for travel.
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TAKE A BREAK
ONE FOR THE AGES
How Super Bowl XXXIV Made an Icon Out of a Grocery Store Clerk
Going into the 1999 NFL season, no one expected anything from the St. Louis Rams. When starting quarterback Trent Green went down with a gruesome knee injury in the preseason, ESPN The Magazine slated the Rams to be the worst team in the NFL that year. With few options, coach Vermeil named a virtually unknown player as his new starting quarterback, humbly stating in a press conference, “We will rally around Kurt Warner, and we’ll play good football.” Five years before his start, 22-year-old Kurt Warner was stocking shelves at a Hy-Vee grocery store in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for $5.50 an hour. However, he had amassed a whopping 16 snaps in the NFL prior to taking the reins for the 1999 season, and what proceeded to transpire on the field was utter pandemonium, giving the Rams the nickname “The Greatest Show on Turf.”This improbable season and the resulting MVP award for Warner set the stage for one of the most dramatic games in Super Bowl history. After going up 16–0 against the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV, Warner and the Rams looked poised to coast on their way to the Lombardi Trophy, but the late Steve McNair and the Titans had different plans. The Georgia Dome was rocking after two Eddie George touchdown runs, and a field goal brought the Titans level at 16–16, with just over two minutes of play remaining. In response, Warner dropped back and found receiver Isaac Bruce for a 73-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 23–16 with 1:54 left on the clock. But the Titans weren’t done fighting. Quickly moving the ball down the field, Titans quarterback Steve McNair found himself with a third and 5 inside the Rams 30-yard line with 22 seconds left. Scrambling around and fighting off two players trying to pull him down, McNair threw the ball to Kevin Dyson at the 10-yard line. A quick timeout left six seconds on the clock, and the Titans were one play away from tying the game. What proceeded was a play that will be forever known as “the tackle.”McNair found Dyson on a quick slant, and when he caught the ball at the 4-yard line, it appeared a touchdown was imminent. Suddenly, linebacker Mike Jones wrapped the receiver up at the hips. As he fell to the ground with the ball in his hand, Dyson extended his arm, but when he hit the AstroTurf, he was 1 yard short of the goal line. The Rams had pulled off the impossible, earning their first Super Bowl title ever.
BISTECCA ALLA FIORENTINA
For a delicious Valentine’s Day dinner, turn to this classic Italian steak preparation. It’s simply flavored with rosemary and lemon, allowing the meat to take center stage.
Ingredients
• 2 bone-in porterhouse steaks • 1/4 cup olive oil • 2 sprigs rosemary
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste • Lemon wedges, for serving
Directions
1. 30 minutes before cooking, remove steaks from fridge to bring them to room temperature. 2. Heat a grill or large cast-iron skillet to high. While heating, brush steaks with half the oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. 3. Place steaks on the hottest part of the grill or pan and cook for 5 minutes. 4. Flip steaks and baste with remaining oil, using rosemary sprigs as a brush. If cooking in a pan, place sprigs next to steaks after basting. 5. Cook for 5–6 minutes for medium-rare. 6. Let steaks sit for at least 5 minutes, slice against the grain, and serve with bone.
Inspired by Saveur magazine
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2 3
The Importance of Honesty
3 Wild Divorce Settlements Ways to Invest in Yourself After Retirement Bistecca Alla Fiorentina The Most Iconic Super Bowl in NFL History
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Let’s Retire These Health Myths
The 5-Second Rule Will Make You Sick 3 Health Myths You Probably Believe
BOTTLEDWATER IS SAFER THAN TAP WATER
We live in the golden age of information. The answers tomany of life’s questions are just an internet search away. Despite this readily available wisdom, we still have a bad habit of believing health-relatedmyths. Here are three popular health“facts”that are total works of fiction.
The official stance from the John Hopkins Arthritis Center states, “There is no evidence that cracking knuckles causes any damage such as arthritis in the joints.” Still, chronic knuckle- cracking can lead to reduced grip strength, so you might want to break the habit anyway. You’ve probably heard these myths for years, but just because something is common knowledge doesn’t mean it is true. With information so easily available, always take the time to research the facts, especially when it comes to your health.
Seeking out safer water alternatives increases the sales of bottled “spring water” each year. However, bottled water is more expensive, bad for the environment, and, as Dr. Morton Tavel of the Indiana University School of Medicine pointed out, over 50 percent of bottled water is just filtered tap water. The same effect can be achieved with a home filtration system. Of course, if the tap water in your area has been contaminated, bottled water is a safer alternative. However, in most circumstances, bottled water is no healthier than tap water.
THE 5-SECOND RULE KEEPS FOOD SAFE
Obviously germs and bacteria don’t really wait five seconds to pounce, but snatching your chip off the floor fast keeps most of the germs away, right? Not according to a 2006 study published by Dr. Paul Dawson. He found conclusive evidence that when food comes into contact with a contaminated surface, bacteria are transferred immediately. Even one second spent on tile, wood, or carpet is enough to infest your food with salmonella or another serious contaminant.
CRACKING YOUR KNUCKLES CAUSES ARTHRITIS
The connection between knuckle-cracking and arthritis came from studies where participants self-reported their habits. Modern medical research has shown these results to be false.
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