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THE LEGAL LEDGER 800-800-4300 DENMONPEARLMAN.COM WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT How Attorney Mary Katherine Bleckley Found Love FEB 2023
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, love is in the air. This time of romance always reminds me of when I met my fiancé, Tom, in 2017. Tom and I are getting married next year, but that wasn’t exactly how we thought things would play out then.
though that might have had something to do with the company. Since we already knew each other well, we mostly skipped the nerves and small talk, and we had a wonderful time together. We haven’t looked back since. Today, we’re both criminal law attorneys. I work in criminal defense at Denmon Pearlman, while Tom is a prosecutor. Though we’re on opposite sides of the justice system, we have both enjoyed watching each other grow and build
We were both recent college graduates, me from the
our careers. Our work can be stressful, so it’s good that Tom is the funniest person I know. With his jokes and infectious personality, he always knows how to bring some levity back to a situation. Last year, Tom proposed in the most romantic way possible. We were on vacation in Rome and visiting my favorite place in the world, the Colosseum. While I thought we were on our way to lunch, he stopped in front of the Arch
University of Georgia and Tom from the University of Alabama. One evening at Parks & Rec in downtown St. Pete, we crossed each other’s paths and discussed our college football teams’ rivalry. (Yes, things still get interesting during football season!) We learned we would both be attending law school at Stetson University. Not only that, but we also had all the same classes together. We quickly became part of the same friend group and saw each other virtually every day between classes and recreational activities. Our friends suspected some sparks were flying between us, but we thought we were much too grown up to rush into a relationship and decided to play it cool. Of law school, Tom likes to say his outlook was the same as every person featured on “The Real World”: “I’m not here for love!” But just like it does on the reality TV show, romance found us anyway. Only weeks after we met, Hurricane Irma hit Gulfport and knocked out all the power. With a week off of school and little else to do, we spent a lot of time together and got to know each other better. By the time the lights were back on, Tom had me charmed, and we were ready to confirm what everyone else already knew.
of Constantine and got down on one knee. It was an indescribable moment and officially stands as my favorite memory. The next day, we met up with Tom’s family in Tuscany and spent the rest of the week celebrating in our own slice of heaven. I feel so fortunate to have found Tom. He’s my biggest supporter — not to mention the most handsome, with his big blue eyes! I’m not entirely sure how I tricked him into putting up with my antics for the rest of our lives, but I couldn’t ask for a bigger blessing. I’ve never felt stronger, more respected, or more completely loved than I do with Tom, and I’m so excited to call him my future husband.
We went on our first official date the day before my 24th birthday at Rococo’s in St. Pete. It was the best steak dinner I’ve ever had —
—Mary Katherine Bleckley
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YOUR INTELLECTUAL WELLNESS MATTERS!
CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO EXPAND YOUR MIND
2. Remove subjectivity. We view every situation with a pre-formed opinion or bias. The truth is our brains are wired this way to streamline thinking, but to be intellectually healthy, we must work hard to push past it. Remove subjectivity by learning a different way to perform a task or challenge yourself to understand (or simply read) the ideas of others. Be objective, even when you disagree with them. 3. Improve your critical thinking. Next time you’re engrossed in conversation, try being thoroughly engaged and think about what is being said. Ask questions to yourself and others, and hash out what you agree with and things you don’t. Work to keep your brain active in everything you do by finding a connection to everything around you.
These days, as taking care of our health becomes more important than ever, we hear a lot about our physical wellness and how to improve it using nutritious foods and exercise.
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Awareness of your core values Capacity to learn new things
How to Foster and Develop Intellectual Wellness Intellectual wellness differs from other types of well-being. You need to work hard and challenge yourself to stay intellectually healthy. If you’re looking to improve or nurture your intellectual wellness, here are three ways to do it. 1. Learn a new skill. One of the main components of intellectual wellness is working to acquire more knowledge. This doesn’t need to be physics or engineering but can be something as simple as cooking a new healthy recipe, learning to draw, or attempting a DIY home repair project. The important part is that mastering something new provides an information-based approach to the world around you.
But what about our intellectual wellness?
What is intellectual wellness? The University of New Hampshire defines
intellectual wellness as “being open to new ideas, thinking critically, and finding ways to be creative.”
FOR THE GOOD OF EVERYONE Essentially, this means thinking about the world around you with an open mind and putting energy into what you’re thinking, not just allowing your brain to run idly. Signs of healthy intellectual wellness include: • Ability to see an issue from all sides • Purposeful exposure to ideas, beliefs, and people who differ from yourself
Why Kindness Goes a Long Way
Everyone knows it’s nice to be nice — but it’s also good for you. Feb. 17 is Random Acts of Kindness Day, which encourages us to do things for others “just because.” You never need an excuse to do something for someone else, but science has demonstrated plenty if you’re looking for a reason. You’ve probably gotten a warm and fuzzy feeling after helping someone else in the past, and you’re not alone. Researchers at the University of British Columbia call it a positive feedback loop. Being kind makes you happy. Because you’re happy, you’re more likely to do something else thoughtful. The cycle keeps perpetuating itself in the best way possible. It goes beyond you, too. When we’re kind to someone, they’re more likely to be kind to someone else in return. Other people witnessing the act of kindness are also more likely to copy it. The positive feedback loop can grow throughout your community and help make your corner of the world a better place.
than you may know. Researchers at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business conducted numerous studies where people were asked to engage in random acts of kindness, like giving away cupcakes. In surveys conducted with both the giver and the recipient, the person who received the act of kindness felt much more positive about it than the giver realized. In other words, we underestimate how much our positive actions resonate with others. As this study proved, your acts of kindness don’t have to be grand or expensive to have an impact. Your small actions add up — like buying a stranger a cup of coffee, doing an elderly neighbor’s yardwork, or helping someone carry a heavy object. You also don’t have to confine your good deeds to people you don’t know. You might consider making a meal for a sick coworker or writing a letter to a family member saying how much you appreciate them. A little kindness goes a long way — especially when the recipient least expects it. When you see an opportunity to help someone or make them smile, take it! You’ll be doing yourself a favor.
The impact of your kind actions on other people’s lives is also more significant
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FIND YOUR STYLE
Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
This nourishing smoothie will help you tackle even the most challenging days. Featuring in- season squash and filled with warming spices, this seasonal snack is packed with protein, fiber, comfort, and flavor!
INGREDIENTS
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1 ripe banana, frozen
1 cup cubed butternut squash, cooked and frozen 1/4 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk 1 tbsp almond, cashew, or pecan butter (do not use peanut butter, the flavor is overpowering)
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WITH NATALIE HAMILTON AT BEAUTY LOUNGE
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1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp cardamom 1/8 tsp ground ginger
“Doing hair has been my life since I was 18,” Natalie Hamilton of Beauty Lounge says. She began her career in her hometown of Los Angeles before following her mother to St. Pete about 11 years ago. Natalie had to rebuild her client list from scratch but eventually landed a job at J.CON Salon & Spa and has been doing hair locally for about a decade. She branched out on her own to start Beauty Lounge about seven years ago, “and it’s been awesome ever since,” she says. Unlike many stylists specializing in specific services, she considers herself particularly versatile. Her salon offers men’s and women’s cuts, color, extensions, keratin treatments, and makeup. Natalie especially enjoys doing weddings and other events, and she will visit business and event clients onsite. “When I’m getting more than one person at a business ready,” Natalie says, “it makes sense to come to them.” She has been doing hair and makeup for Denmon Pearlman promotional materials for some time after gaining Nicole Denmon as an early client. When she’s not doing hair, Natalie says she spends most of her time “being a mom.” She is married and has a teenage daughter, a 6-year-old son, and a year- old baby. “They keep me busy,” she says. “I work and hang out with my kids all the time.” Her mother’s child care assistance helps her find balance. Natalie considers many of her clients friends, saying, “I love meeting different people, connecting with locals, and working with other businesses.” One of the best parts of her job is working directly with people and seeing their reactions to her work. “I’ve been doing this for a really long time, and I love it,” she says. “I just enjoy making people feel good.” Are you looking for a new stylist, or do you need help with an event? You can view Natalie’s work on her Instagram page, @nataliehamiltonbeauty. She also takes appointments online at SalonLofts.com/natalie_hamilton and via phone at (727) 648-7342.
1/8 tsp allspice
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large, high-powered blender, add all ingredients and blend on high for 1–2 minutes or until all ingredients are well combined. Add more milk if necessary to thin and blend again. 2. Serve and enjoy!
(EASY WAY OUT)
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INSIDE 1 2 A Law School Love Story
Intellectual Wellness: What It Is and How to Improve Yours
Why Random Acts of Kindness Matter
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Meet Natalie Hamilton of Beauty Lounge
Chai-Spice Butternut Squash Smoothie
Relieving Headaches With Natural Remedies
PREVENTING MIGRAINES THE NATURAL WAY
3 SUPPLEMENTS TO TRY
Chronic headaches and migraines seem to strike at the worst times. If you suffer from frequent migraines, you’re familiar with canceling dinner plans last minute or leaving work early due to throbbing head pain, nausea, and discomfort. The worst part is that many medications don’t help; the only true cure is rest, darkness, and time. However, the next time a migraine strikes, try a natural remedy. These three natural products are safe, inexpensive, and have little to no side effects.
breast, and salmon or can be purchased over the counter as a supplement.
Magnesium As one of the most prevalent minerals in our bodies, magnesium can help treat chronic headaches and migraines. According to WebMD, studies have proven that those who suffer from migraines tend to have lower levels of magnesium than those who do not. Furthermore, some scientists believe that the mineral can block the chemicals in the brain that trigger pain and specific signals responsible for the auras (changes in vision or other senses) that many experience during a migraine. Melatonin Melatonin, a hormone secreted by your brain’s pineal gland, has been proven to reduce the frequency and length of migraines. Those who suffer from chronic migraines have abnormally
low melatonin levels, so taking melatonin supplements at bedtime is likely to help prevent nagging headaches and migraines. To prevent your next throbbing headache, it may be worth giving one of these safe and natural supplements a try after consulting your health care provider! After all, what do you have to lose?
Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) According to the National Center for
Complimentary and Integrative Health, 400 milligrams of riboflavin daily is proven to be beneficial in reducing migraines in both adults and children. Riboflavin occurs naturally in dairy milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, chicken
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