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J anuary 2024
Take Time to Honor the Endings in Life L etting G o Entering a new chapter in life is a wonderful thing to celebrate. Usually, the start of a new year is a time of reflection and looking forward to that new chapter. But I believe that’s just the beginning. As we get excited about what the new year can bring, it can also be a good time to let go of some things. While we’re all anticipating spring, I believe we also need to give winter its due. Since we’re often indoors during this colder time of year, it’s natural to turn inward and light a metaphoric fire to warm ourselves since we don’t have the sun’s heat. During this time, we can think about what we can say goodbye to. I think it’s important to stay in the moment of the letting-go season for a while. We often don’t spend enough time honoring the departure of a year or season before we herald in the next one. This is a great time to take stock of where everything is in our lives. What are things in your life you probably should let go of? And what are the things you need to let go of? It makes me think of the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 11:13: “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”
We’ve known about the negative direction things have been heading in for quite some time. Many people understand that we are at a crisis point, yet we have very few who want to do anything about it. Hopefully, as a global society, we can remove pieces of the past that no longer serve us and the world. Similarly, I want to live a more sustainable and integrated life with the world around me. The combination of welcoming new, promising aspects into our lives while discarding those parts that don’t fit anymore is important. By doing both activities, we help ourselves move closer to our full potential. The reason for that is simple: When we strive to achieve what is possible, we make sure we have the right factors working for us. A natural part of that is eliminating what doesn’t work and looking for new opportunities we can incorporate into our lives. My wish for you with the start of 2024 is that you have time to consider what is working well in your life and the areas you would like to make a change. Have a wonderful beginning to the new year.
For me, that verse means there are things in my life that have served me well in the past that no longer do, and it’s okay to let go of them as I make those realizations.
While going through that process of deciding what to let go of is something we can think about personally, I think we can apply that to a global and societal scale as well. For example, it may be time to radically rethink how we have structured society. We can’t continue on this destructive path with our climate for much longer. “This is a great time to take stock of where everything is in our lives. What are things in your life you probably should let go of? And what are the things you need to let go of?”
–Michael Manely
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W hy D oes O ur B ody S uddenly J erk A wake ? AND OTHER FUN FACTS ABOUT OUR BODY
One-Nostril Breathing
Your body can do weird things you may have never been able to explain. Well, we’re here to fix that! Here are four fun facts about the human body you may have always wondered about. Lactose Intolerance Lactose intolerance is the inability to fully digest lactose, a sugar in milk and dairy products, as a result of the LCT gene in the body mutating during infancy. The
That’s called a hypnic jerk but is also known by other names, like sleep start. The twitch typically happens during the early stages of sleep and is considered a benign myoclonic jerk, a form of involuntary muscle twitch. While the exact reason is not entirely understood, it is theorized that the jerk is a neural mechanism that helps the body transition from wakefulness to sleep. It may occur more often when you are exhausted or anxious. Your Ears Keep Growing While most parts of the human body reach a specific size and stop growing, ear cartilage grows slowly as people age. This phenomenon is due to specialized cartilage cells called chondrocytes that continuously produce new cartilage material. This ongoing growth is not usually noticeable daily, but it can become quite apparent when comparing photographs from different stages of a person’s life.
Most people do not breathe equally from both nostrils, a phenomenon known as the “nasal cycle.” One nostril is usually dominant for a period, ranging from
90 minutes to several hours, before switching to the other. This cycle is believed to be regulated by the autonomic nervous system and is
a natural process most people aren’t consciously aware of. This is also why when you get sick, one nostril can get congested while the other works fine.
prevalence of lactose intolerance differs by ethnicity and is more common among people of Asian, African, and Native American descent, but the condition affects 65% of the global population. Lactose intolerance generally manifests in adolescents and young adults and varies in prevalence depending on the region in which a person lives.
Body Jerks When Exhausted Have you ever tried to fall
asleep only for your body to quickly jerk for no apparent reason?
Working With Heart for Those She Represents M eet S tephanie D. B anks Stephanie joined the firm in August 2023 and serves as Managing Attorney for Probate, Trust, and Fiduciary Litigation. She has a passion for going above and beyond, sharing her experience and expertise with her clients and team members.
“I love changing people’s lives from a family perspective,” Stephanie says. “When I’m supporting people and helping them resolve their family issues, I feel such a strong sense of purpose.”
Another area where Stephanie focuses her attention is asset protection. “It means a lot to me to assist those who have built their legacy. I like doing what I can to help them protect what they’ve earned over their lifetime,” Stephanie emphasizes. “When a person has worked hard and saved throughout their lives, I want to do my part to help them fight for their legacy during those times when they need to and to help them preserve those assets for the futures of those they love.” As Stephanie grew up, she was inspired by her parents. Her father was a business owner and had a law degree, and her mother had a business background as well. “I saw great purpose in what they did and how they conducted themselves, so I feel that earning my law degree was a natural transition for me,” she says with a smile. “Today, what I do is grounded in the concept of making sure family interests are protected.” It’s easy to see the passion Stephanie has for her profession. When asked about her decision to join The Manely Firm, she says, “I knew this was a place where I would continue to grow. The disciplines I have focused on complement the firm, and it’s rewarding to work as part of an international firm.” Away from work, Stephanie loves to spend time with her family and her three puppies. Another passion of hers is music; it’s a central part of who she is. She is a classically trained vocalist and vocal coach for her church choir, and she also writes and directs plays.
Stephanie works with heart in all she does and says her drive is about encouraging, uplifting, and empowering others. We’re so glad to have you on the team!
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We’ve reached a rewarding milestone as a firm. We’ve completed our group training in the 5 Secrets to Lasting Relationships from “The Go-Giver Marriage” by the husband-and-wife team of John David Mann and Ana Gabriel Mann. Practicing the 5 Secrets to Lasting Relationships P utting I t A ll T ogether
“Y ou do not find the happy life . Y ou make it .” –C amilla E yring K imball
The secrets are Appreciate, Attend, Allow, Believe, and Grow. It’s essential to spend extra time on the fifth secret — Grow. Growing is something we’re very focused on as a firm. And it’s not just about becoming bigger. We’re talking about expanding our level of influence around the world. In 2024, we plan to open a new office in London. This idea of growth is fulfilling because we can make a positive difference in the lives of those experiencing family conflict. By dedicating ourselves to building Go-Giver Relationships, we focus on the steps each of us can take to create better bonds.
W orld ’ s B est B rownies
To build strong relationships, you have to be strong individually. The Manns say we should identify what we need to be happy and fulfilled and give ourselves that. By dreaming that bigger dream for yourself, you will have more to offer to others. The more we have individually, the more we have to offer. We believe in personal growth, emotional development, and social-emotional development. We engage in at least two firm-wide training programs every year to build stronger emotional skills that we can model for families facing conflict and stress. Growth doesn’t have to be returning to school or enrolling in training. It can also be developing your routines for mindfulness, fitness, and an improved diet, or creating a better place for yourself aesthetically. It can also mean being honest about what you want to elevate your spirit and experience in life and giving yourself permission for that. The Manns emphasize that these habits aren’t just something to know. They encourage people to spend an hour practicing who they want to become every day. As they say, love is a verb. Success begins with dedicating yourself. When one person commits to taking these steps and models them, the relationship improves, whether or not the other person consciously realizes it.
Indulge your taste buds in a world of decadence with this irresistible recipe!
I ngredients
• • • • •
2/3 cup butter
• • • •
1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp baking powder
2 oz unsweetened chocolate
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract
D irections 1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease an 8-inch square baking pan. 2. Melt butter and chocolate in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, then remove from heat and let cool slightly. 3. In a large bowl, beat together sugar, eggs, and vanilla, then add melted chocolate mixture and blend well. 4. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. 5. Gradually add flour mixture to chocolate mixture, stirring until blended, then stir in nuts if desired. 6. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. 7. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Now, as we move forward, we’re equipped to make sure these secrets don’t remain secrets. We intend to share them eagerly with those we serve.
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Call for a Consultation: ( 866) 245-5685
211 Roswell St. NE Marietta, GA 30060 (866) 687-8561 www.allfamilylaw.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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Closing Old Chapters
4 Fascinating Facts About the Human Body Revealed Spotlighting Stephanie D. Banks
The 5 Secrets in Action World’s Best Brownies
Unique New Year’s Traditions Around The World
B eyond T he B all D rop HOW DIFFERENT CULTURES CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR
Denmark: Breaking Plates The Danish have a unique way of showing affection to their friends and family. On New Year’s Eve, it’s customary to break plates and dishes against the doors of loved ones. The more broken pieces you find at your doorstep, the more popular and loved you are. Brazil: Offerings to Iemanjá In Brazil, particularly in coastal cities like Rio de Janeiro, people make offerings to Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea, on New Year’s Eve. They gather at the beach dressed in white and send small boats filled with flowers, candles, and gifts into the ocean as offerings.
The New Year is a time for celebration, reflection, and new beginnings. While many of us are familiar with the ball drop in Times Square or the clinking of champagne glasses at midnight, exploring how different countries and cultures ring in the New Year is fascinating. Let’s journey outside the United States to discover a few unique New Year’s traditions from around the world. Spain: Eating 12 Grapes at Midnight As the clock strikes midnight in Spain, people eat 12 grapes — one for each clock chime. This tradition brings good luck and prosperity for the coming year. The grapes are usually eaten in public squares and plazas where crowds gather to celebrate. It’s a race against time to eat all 12 grapes before the last chime, as failing can bring in bad luck.
Scotland: First-Footing In Scotland, the first person to enter a home after midnight is called
Japan: Joya-no-Kane (Bell Ringing) The Japanese celebrate Joya-no-Kane, where temple bells ring 108 times: 107 times on Dec. 31, and then the 108th ring at midnight on the New Year, bridging the old and new year. This practice is rooted in Buddhist beliefs and is thought to cleanse the 108 worldly desires that cause human suffering.
the “first-footer” and will bring good luck for the year. Traditionally, the first-footer should be a tall, dark-haired male who brings gifts like coal, bread, and whisky to symbolize warmth, luck, and good cheer.
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