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January 2024
A NEW KIND OF RESOLUTION
As we kick off a new year, inevitable questions come our way about whether or not we’ve made a New Year’s resolution. It’s natural because the new year seems like a good time to refocus our lives, and that’s what we tend to do in this culture of self-improvement and achievement, right? Well, I’m taking a slightly different path for myself this year. As we transition from 2023 to 2024, I’ve resolved to stop making resolutions. My view on resolutions and how I’ve used them in my life haven’t exactly been positive. Too often, my resolutions focused on weight and tasks I felt obligated to do rather than things I truly wanted to accomplish. In many respects, the resolutions were arbitrary, both the nature of the goal and the “mark” that I decided I needed to hit. While setting a bar and meeting a challenge are all well and good, as time passes, I have come to appreciate how some of my resolutions have not been achieved because they were superficial or based on perceived expectations. They did little to make a deep, personal impact. As a result, I was continually setting resolutions and then resetting the same things over and over. I’m done with that. Rather than resolutions, I’m going to have intentions that nourish my spirit. The nature of an intention, to me, means seeing opportunities and abundance instead of dwelling on what I lack. Rather Adding Abundance and Saying ‘Yes’ WORKSHOP Have you (or your clients) “been meaning” to get a plan in place? It’s easy to get started with our 7 Hazards to Your Estate Plan Workshop . This free workshop explains the key planning concepts, documents, and the factors in selecting a plan that is right for you. Plus, workshop participants receive a complimentary consultation with no obligation to retain our services. The workshop is available on demand or in person, so stop thinking about a plan and create one. Register online at PromiseLaw.com/Estate-Planning-Workshop or call (757) 690-2470.
than beating myself up and expecting things of myself that aren’t very meaningful, I’m going to focus on doing things to improve my quality of life right now. For me, that means engaging in creative activities like singing and dancing, along with initiating more get-togethers with friends and family. Another intention I’ve decided to take into the new
year is superbly summed up in the Liza Minnelli song: “Yes.” There will always be chores or work or whatever else is the typical drumbeat of our lives, but when someone is available, or an opportunity like travel or a new activity is presented, I will try in earnest to say “yes” and see where it leads. A book that has helped me move in this direction is “Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal and Delight in Our Busy Lives,” by Wayne Muller. In the book, Muller discusses various religious traditions and perspectives, including the idea of committing to rest and connection with our friends, family, and community … in short, to observe more sabbaths and sabbath moments. I believe having this intention will improve the quality of what is already a very good life. Whether it means trying a new activity or booking coffee with a friend whom I haven’t talked with for a while, it is my intention to create time and space for the people and activities I enjoy.
Here’s wishing you a very happy start to 2024. May you make the kind of progress you want in your life in the coming year! And remember, when in doubt, say “yes.”
–Geneva Perry
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The Weird Actions of Brilliant Thinkers
Some of history’s greatest thinkers were more than a little eccentric. Let’s look at strange facts about five inventors, scientists, and philosophers who helped shape our world. Inventor Nikola Tesla walked around a building three times before entering it. He apparently became obsessed with the numbers 3, 6, and 9 and would only stay in hotel rooms that had a number divisible by 3.
Famed physicist Albert Einstein created a contract for his first wife that outlined her household duties. The contract established that she must provide fresh meals, clean laundry, and “silence on request.” Unsurprisingly, they divorced after 11 years. Scientist Marie Curie carried test tubes full of radioactive isotopes in her pockets almost everywhere she went. She also kept them in desk drawers and open areas around her lab. This practice is believed to have contributed to her death from aplastic anemia in 1934. The ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras was afraid of fava beans, which wasn’t an uncommon fear during his time. Myth said that fava beans contained the souls of the dead since they had a flesh-like appearance. Finally, Sir Isaac Newton once inserted a sewing needle into his eye for an experiment to learn about how the eye perceived color and light. Surely, there was a less gruesome way to test his hypothesis!
Nestled in northern Mexico near Durango lies a mysterious tract of land that has baffled some scientists and hobbyists for years: the Zone of Silence. According to urban myth, this enigmatic area is where radio signals and telecommunications mysteriously vanish into thin air. It all started in 1970 when a U.S. White Sands Missile Base missile veered off its predetermined path and crashed into this strange dead zone — 400 miles from its designated target. U.S. Air Force authorities employed local residents to recover the missile, all while keeping the specifics and location of the missile under wraps. When the rocket was eventually discovered in a sand mound, a complex retrieval system was established, which included extending a railroad track to the dune. Though the THE ZONE OF SILENCE : Where Science and Conspiracy Converge
objective was to maintain secrecy, this incident might have sparked even more questions about the area’s secrets. Since that time, theories and conspiracies about the area have grown. They range from odd UFO sightings and alien encounters to unexplained fossils and natural phenomena. Scientists in the area say there is no truth to these rumors, and those with expert knowledge of the area’s local flora and fauna can explain each discrepancy. Despite these rebuttals, though, conspiracy theorists continue to flock to the zone in search of “answers.”
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White noise is commonly used to help people fall asleep, but now, more people are using it to increase their concentration during the workday. By providing a consistent background sound, white noise can mask environmental distractions like chattering, traffic, or intermittent noises that may otherwise disturb concentration. Here are a few benefits of utilizing white noise in your day. Calming Effect White noise, especially calm nature sounds, exerts a soothing effect on the mind, providing a stable auditory environment that reduces sudden distractions. The calming influence can help you feel more positive and enable the mind to transition to a more conducive state for a deeper focus on work or study. Boosts Concentration White noise boosts concentration by increasing background neural “noise” in the brain, which helps essential neural signals to stand out and be detected, which can enhance cognitive performance. This can be particularly useful when you need to train your attention while tackling complex problems. Calm Your Mind, Boost Your Productivity: The Benefits of White Noise
OUR TEAM HAS MOVED! (BUT JUST DOWN THE ROAD)
As of Sept. 1, 2023, the Promise Law office was relocated to 600 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Ste. 350, Newport News, Virginia 23606. Please be sure to update our address in your contacts. We are excited to be closer to collaborators like financial advisors, banks, trust companies, and other strategic partners we work with to bring you effective estate planning and support in administration. Thank you for your patience in this transition. We look forward to welcoming you to our new office.
Cheesy Chicken Chowder
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
Enhances Creativity Some studies suggest that moderate white noise can improve creativity and
• 3 cups chicken broth • 2 cups peeled and diced potatoes • 1 cup diced carrots • 1 cup diced celery • 1/2 cup diced onion • 1 1/2 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese • 2 cups cooked and diced chicken
imaginative thinking. It keeps the
idea gateway open during the generative process and
Directions 1. In a 4-quart saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil. Reduce heat and add potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. 2. In another medium saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour until smooth. Slowly stir in milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat, then add cheese, stirring until melted. Add the cheesy mixture and chicken to the broth and heat it thoroughly!
enables you to think freely and develop novel solutions.
Whether you’re studying, working, or engaging in creative
endeavors, the benefits of white noise extend to a wide range of activities, making it a versatile tool for enhancing focus.
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PromiseLaw Life happens. Plan on it. ™ (757) 690-2470
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WE’VE MOVED
600 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Ste. 350 Newport News, VA 23606
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2
A New Kind of Resolution
Would You Put a Needle in Your Eye?
The Secrets of the Zone of Silence
Cheesy Chicken Chowder
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White Noise: Your Secret to Enhanced Concentration
4 Transform Your Home With These 3 Smart Devices! The Future of Home Living: DISCOVER THE MUST-HAVE SMART DEVICES FOR YOUR SPACE
When we think of technological innovations, we may focus on things like smartphones and self-driving cars. But in today’s fast-paced and ever-advancing world, our homes are experiencing smart revolutions of their own.
can set daily reminders for specific tasks, appointments, or medications; place outbound calls for emergencies; and even provide basic first-aid instructions when asked. Robot Vacuums On average, Americans spend six hours a week vacuuming their homes. While this task may seem simple, it can be quite physically demanding. Robot vacuums clean even the toughest spots (like under the couch!) all on their own, then return to their charging station. Smart Pet Feeders We love our furry friends, but feeding them at the same time every day can be a challenge. Not only that but feeding our four-legged friends requires a bit of bending, too. Luckily, smart pet feeders do all the work for you! They distribute food and water automatically and on a consistent schedule.
Smart home devices are easy to operate and make our lives easier. So, if you’re looking to make a digital upgrade to your home, here are three devices we recommend you check out. Voice-Activated Assistants Voice assistants, like Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home’s “Hey Google,” and Apple Homepod’s Siri, can be incredibly helpful around the house. With just a simple verbal command, they
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