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Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. FEBRUARY 2023
It’s surprising how much a celebrity’s passing can affect us. We might not have ever met these individuals, but they’ve positively impacted our lives through their creative output. Billions of people watched Michael Jackson’s funeral on television, and I’m sure we all remember the collective heartbreak our nation felt after Robin Williams’ untimely death. Growing up, I loved Whitney Houston, so I was devastated when news broke about her passing. It’s safe to say Whitney Houston was one of the most talented singers we have experienced over the past few decades. Everyone’s mood always turned for the better when “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” came on the radio, and that’s probably why so many retail stores still play it today. Whitney Houston was the epitome of a perfect voice. I thought she was so phenomenal, and her passing was incredibly tragic. Her death taught us many lessons we can utilize to ensure we live healthy and fruitful lives. Motivational speaker Jim Rohn has often said that we’re an average of the five people we spend the most time with. There were always concerns about the people Houston was hanging around with during the prime of her fame. Her ex-husband, Bobby Brown, was constantly considered a bad influence on Houston, and the two struggled through addiction during their 14-year marriage. Houston also spent plenty of time with the man she considered her godson, Nick Gordon, her daughter’s fiancé who had a sordid past with drug use himself. If Houston had been more selective with her company, she may have never fallen into addiction and may still be here today. Another lesson that Houston’s passing can teach has to do with the dangers of drug use. Drugs dismantled Houston’s career and personal life before eventually playing a role in her death. Despite her fame, Houston still fell victim to drug use, which shows us that anyone is susceptible to addiction. You can be one of the most talented and famous people in the world, but drugs can still take all of that away from you. It’s tragic to think about. Houston still had so much left to give but couldn’t shake her addiction. Remembering the Incredible Whitney Houston
The final lesson we can learn from Houston’s unexpected death is the importance of updating your estate plan. When Houston passed away in 2012, she did have a will in place. The problem was that the will had not been updated since 1993. She went through extreme lifestyle changes between 1993 and 2012, including a divorce. In her will, she left most of her estate to her only child, Bobbi Kristina Brown. Bobbi Kristina received 10% of the estate when she was 21 and was supposed to receive another 17% when she turned 25 while receiving the rest when she turned 30. Sadly, Bobbi Kristina passed away when she was only 22, spurring questions about who would receive the rest of Houston’s estate. This question remains unanswered. If you haven’t updated your estate plan in a while, let this serve as a reminder to do so as soon as possible.
Houston’s tragic death shocked the world. We lost one of the greatest singers the world has ever seen, and we may never see someone with her talent again in our lifetime. Celebrity deaths can shake us to our core, but they can also help us realize what truly matters in our lives.
–Andrea Shoup
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Yes, Habit Tracking Actually Works! THE EASY WAY TO STAY MOTIVATED
Back in the 1980s and ’90s, almost every sports movie included a training montage — and no montage was complete without a giant paper calendar hanging on the hero’s wall. As time ticked by and the big game or contest approached, the hero crossed the days out one by one. Each square was a success, and it was another day of training down!
“The most effective form of motivation is progress,” Clear explains. “When we get a signal that we are moving forward, we become more motivated to continue down that path. In this way, habit tracking can have an additive effect on motivation. Every small win feeds your desire.” You don’t need to use a ’90s calendar to track your habits in 2022. Instead, Clear recommends leveraging technology to make tracking as easy as possible. If you want to build better spending habits, put your credit card statements (which track your spending automatically) front and center. If you want to take more steps each day, buy a Fitbit so you don’t have to count them.
It sounds silly, but according to habit expert and “Atomic Habits” author James Clear, that giant calendar isn’t just movie magic. It actually works!
For some people, tracking their habits — literally writing down their successes and failures in order to keep a record — is an
effective way to build and stick with new routines, like New Year’s resolutions.
That said, if you go the pen-and-paper route — or prefer an Excel spreadsheet — Clear suggests tracking your habit immediately after you finish it. That way, you’ll associate your positive behavior with the rush of satisfaction you get from checking a day off the calendar.
In his book, Clear writes that habit tracking works because it makes a particular behavior “obvious, attractive, and satisfying.” Tracking our habits in a visible place (like a calendar on the wall) reminds us to keep our “streak” of good behavior alive and holds us accountable if we mess up. It also just feels good to cross a square off of the calendar.
To learn more about Clear’s methods and download his free Habit Tracker Template, visit AtomicHabits.com/tracker.
HOW DESTENY PROVIDES IMPECCABLE CLIENT SERVICE
Ambition is one of the most important character traits an individual can possess. Those with high levels of ambition are able to drive themselves further than others. We’re always on the lookout for ambitious people who want to break into the legal industry to join our team. In July, we hired Desteny to our office services team and have been amazed at her growth in just a few short months. Desteny came to our team without much experience in the legal field, but had a strong desire to learn. She’s always had an interest in law that started when she first watched “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” in her youth. Someday, Desteny hopes to go to law school and become an attorney and eventually a judge, but until then, she’s going to learn as much as she can at our firm. This past summer, she decided it was time to take her first foray into the legal world, which led her through our doors. Desteny has ample customer service experience, and after meeting her, we knew she was a great fit for our team and clients.
Desteny is incredibly outgoing and loves to be the face of the house. She’s constantly going out of her way to check on our clients and see if she can assist them in any way. She also provides significant assistance to the rest of the team. She helps out wherever she’s needed, from human resources to billing. Desteny is always willing to learn and never backs down from a challenge. She does everything she can to ensure our clients feel welcome and comfortable when they enter our office. Outside of work, Desteny loves doing anything car- related. She has three cars of her own, including two Miatas, and is always going to car shows or meets. She also has two dogs who love going to the dog park. She’s always on the move, visiting museums, restaurants, or the beach around Los Angeles and San Diego. Desteny is ready and waiting to help our clients with whatever they need. We are so glad she’s part of our team and can’t wait to see what’s in store for her.
Plan today for peace
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Step up your morning routine with this flavorful oatmeal. In only 15 minutes, fuel your day with a breakfast that tastes just like dessert! The best part? It’s vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. Ingredients Creamy Caramelized Banana Oatmeal Inspired by EatWithClarity.com
Bring More Positivity to Each Day Through Random Acts of Kindness
Oatmeal: • 1 cup rolled/old-fashioned oats • 2 cups nondairy milk (or water)
Bananas: •
1–2 tbsp refined coconut oil • 2 tbsp maple syrup plus more for topping, if desired • 2 bananas, sliced into thick disks
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon • Pinch of sea salt • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
1. In a pot over medium heat, add the oats and nondairy milk (or water) and bring to a boil. 2. Reduce heat to low, add cinnamon, sea salt, and vanilla and let simmer until thickened. 3. To a large sauté pan, add the coconut oil and maple syrup while the oatmeal is cooking.
Once sizzling, add the sliced bananas. 4. Cook on each side for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. 5. When the oatmeal is done, top with the caramelized bananas and additional maple syrup if desired. Add cinnamon, crushed walnuts, pecans, or nut butter!
A few days in February call upon us to spread love and kindness to others. Most are familiar with Valentine’s Day, as it’s hard to escape the candy, hearts, and stuffed animals that flood our local stores, but another special occasion allows us to bring joy to someone else’s life unexpectedly. Random Acts of Kindness Day takes place on Feb. 17 and provides us the perfect opportunity to do something kind for someone else. I genuinely believe that doing things for others, whether it’s a random act of kindness or something planned out, can add to our human experience in a positive way. I’m always touched and a little surprised whenever I’m on the receiving end of a random act of kindness. It can be something as simple as paying for someone else’s coffee in the drive-through line or letting someone with fewer groceries check out before you. These simple actions can completely turn someone’s day around. When my son was only 4 or 5 months old, my mother and I decided to take a trip to see my grandmother. It was a six-hour drive, so we needed to stop and get something to eat on the way. We stopped at a restaurant, ordered our food, and were pleasantly surprised when the waitress informed us that another table had already paid for our meal. They did this out of the kindness of their heart. We didn’t know them, and they didn’t know us. They didn’t even stick around for us to thank them! It was truly a random act of kindness that brightened our day. Since then, I’ve tried to go out of my way to perform random acts of kindness whenever possible. If I’m stopping to get food or a coffee and see a police officer or priest in line, I’ll pay for their order. I don’t do it for recognition; I try to remain anonymous. You never know what kind of day others are having, and receiving unexpected kindness can go a long way to help others through challenging times. We often underestimate how much certain actions can mean to someone. It can uplift them and create a lasting impact on their lives. They may even turn around and perform a random act of kindness themselves. This Feb. 17, try to perform a random act of kindness for someone else without expecting anything in return. You’ll be surprised how much positivity it can bring into the world.
TAKE A BREAK
–Andrea Shoup
e of mind tomorrow.
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Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow. 39755 Date St., Ste. 203 | Murrieta, CA 92563 (951) 445-4114 | www.shouplegal.com
1 | What We Can Learn From Whitney Houston’s Passing 2 | Retrain Your Brain With Habit Tracking 2 | Introducing Desteny 3 | Spreading Kindness Through Random Acts 3 | Creamy Caramelized Banana Oatmeal 4 | Wanna Stay Warm Outside? Inside This Issue
WARM UP WITH AN OUTDOOR FIRE Get Outside Without the Cold
Is it too cold to spend time outside? Nonsense! While we wait for spring, there’s no better way to get some fresh air than around a warm fire with friends and family. Whether you build a bonfire or purchase an outdoor firepit, a cozy fire is great fun day or night, and you can do plenty of activities to keep you busy. Get started with some campfire classics — roasting marshmallows and cooking hot dogs! Placing food on a skewer and holding it over a fire is a fun activity for everyone, and kids will love the opportunity to prepare their own “meal” — with proper adult supervision, of course. Campfire grill racks will help you make slightly fancier food options. One of the best fire pastimes is taking the time to chat. Invite over folks you haven’t seen in a while and catch up! A fire is also an opportunity to put the phone away and connect on a deeper level. Consider bringing some interesting prompts along, like “What is your favorite childhood memory?” or “What was your worst vacation experience?” They’ll get everyone talking and forgetting all about the cold.
Your fire is also the perfect opportunity to tell scary stories. Get a flashlight, head out at night, and do your best to frighten each other! (If you’ve got kids around, make sure the stories are age-appropriate.) Everyone can make up their own stories, retell tales they heard long ago, or do some research online beforehand. Find out who is the best storyteller — and the biggest scaredy‑cat. Many typical “indoor” activities can also be brought outside. For example, get out some cards or a board game. Music will also liven up the atmosphere. You can even start a dance party if you keep a safe distance from the flames. Those looking for solo time can also read a book, sketch, or journal. No matter what activity you choose, an outdoor fire will allow you to enjoy the fresh air and get some vitamin D (if during the daytime) without excessive shivering. It might even turn into a favorite cold-weather activity.
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