Brauns Law's online newsletter for September 2017
404-418-8244
September 2017
WWW.DAVIDBRAUNS.COM 75 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 325, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096
A Favorite Lyric Highlights a Truth I Love A Song to Inspire
I know what you’re thinking: A lawyer who listens to rap music? Hollywood would have you believe only a certain type of person practices law, but I learned quickly in law school that’s not the case. They come from all kinds of backgrounds. Then again, how rare is it to find people who listen to Drake? He was the top-selling recording artist in the world last year. Whether you have an appreciation for his music or not, hopefully you can appreciate the sentiment of one of my favorite lyrics of his, taken from his 2013 hit song of the same name: It’s a short line, but it’s packed with meaning. It could be something different for you, different for me. For Drake, “here” refers to his spot at the top of the rap world. For me, it means my place as a successful lawyer. For you, it could be anything — financial stability, full recovery from injury, etc. But we all have one thing in common: We all started somewhere. You probably know what it’s like to be at the bottom. It’s my firm belief that starting at the bottom is a gift, not a deficit. Let me explain why. I didn’t necessarily start at the bottom, but I sure found it at a very young age. I was born in an upper-middle-class family. My father was an entrepreneur who owned several gas stations and a VHS rental store, and he did pretty well for himself. Unfortunately, he made some poor financial decisions, and when I was 14, the IRS seized everything. For a while, we were practically homeless. I had to get a work permit so I could find a job to pay for necessities like clothing. It was hard and a greater burden than most 14-year-olds have on their shoulders, but I’m grateful for it because it instilled in me a work ethic I otherwise wouldn’t have had. I might not be a lawyer if not for that difficult time. “Started from the bottom, now we’re here.”
“Started from the bottom, now we’re here.”
Having lived in poverty, I now wake up every day with a fear of loss. I don’t want to go back there. But I’ve been able to turn that fear into a driving force. I’ve read that even billionaires, including Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, carry that same fear, despite having substantial wealth. No matter where you are in life, if you can harness the drive to succeed, you will blow everyone else out of the water. Embrace the challenge; it’s the unchallenged people who don’t accomplish much. Since I’ve been to the bottom, I have the drive to do help others get out of it. That drive is what’s guided me in my work. We have many clients who live paycheck to paycheck or who can’t work because of an injury. Our purpose is to help these people navigate this difficult time and pull themselves back up. Are you at the bottom, looking to pull yourself up? Let us know how we can help. - David Brauns
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As school starts up again, so do sports, and your kids’ extracurricular ambitions pile up like the falling autumn leaves. Managing their schedules can seem impossible, but don’t let yourself get burned out. Here are some tips to stay sane in the midst of the extracurricular whirlwind. Consolidate all your scheduling, jotting, and activity-tracking strategies into one system. You can’t afford to be scrawling “Abby piano lesson rescheduled 9/21” on the first scrap of paper you come across. That doesn’t mean you have to be hyper-organized, but it does mean that you need to keep your entire calendar in one place, whether that place is Google Calendar, a fridge whiteboard, or the old-fashioned standby: a calendar with a lighthouse on every page. Whichever system you choose, keep it updated. Its word is law. Form parent alliances. It’s vital that you and your partner coordinate availability and who’s driving when, but you should go further than that. Those soccer practices Jacob’s going to? There are other teammates there, and those teammates have parents EXTRACURRICULAR OVERLOAD How to Demystify Your Kids’ Jampacked Schedules
shuttling them around, just like you are. Set up carpools to manage scheduling conflicts between your kids and drastically reduce the time you spend as a chauffeur. Maintain balance. This might come as a surprise, but you will have to say no to your child every now and then. Sure, simultaneous baseball, football, and soccer seasons might seem healthy and fun for your kid, but you need to consider your own needs, as well. Many parents give their children free rein over what to choose, but limit activities to one or two per season. Make sure you weigh each child’s needs equally, and keep the rules the same for each of them.
Testimonials DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
Suffering an accident is hard, but medical bills and insurance companies can make a rough time infinitely worse. Our goal is to help make that burden lighter. Thank you to all our clients who trusted us with their cases, and to all our clients who continue to show us their trust by letting us handle cases for their friends and family. This month, we offer our special thanks to ...
“I went to Brauns Law after another law firm said they could not help me. I was pregnant at the time of my accident, and no one would help me. Brauns Law gave me excellent service from start to finish.” –Gloria T.
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THE SILENT THREAT OF THE DIGITAL AGE What You Need to Know About Cyberbullying Before Your Kids Get Online
In late March, Netflix released “13 Reasons Why,” a series focused on a teenage girl’s suicide and the tragic circumstances that led to her death. Many parents were shocked by the aggressive cyberbullying in the show, which included suggestive pictures being shared without consent. Unfortunately, teen viewers were all too familiar with the situation. Cyberbullying is a growing problem, and few parents realize the danger.
Most kids won’t report cyberbullying, so parents need to take the initiative. Start conversations, and explain that cyberbullying is not a “fun game” and can have serious consequences. Make rules against sending harmful messages or pictures, even if someone else started it. Let kids know that if they are being cyberbullied they can tell an adult they trust, whether it’s you, a teacher, or a family friend. Reassure victims that bullying is not their fault, and let victims know they will not be punished. Remember, cyberbullying is a form of violence that can cause lasting harm. The internet isn’t going anywhere, so we need to do what we can to help our kids navigate online spaces safely and kindly.
• Over half of children and teens today have been bullied online, and just as many admit to engaging in cyberbullying themselves.
• Only 1 in 10 victims of cyberbullying will confide in their parents.
• Victims of cyberbullying are 9 times more likely to consider committing suicide.
WINNING APPLE CRISP
WORD SEARCH September
Ingredients • 1 cup all-purpose flour • ¾ cup rolled oats
• 1 cup sugar • 2 tablespoons cornstarch • 1 cup water • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • Vanilla ice cream, optional
Directions 1. Heat the oven to 350 F. In a • ½ cup butter, softened • 4 cups chopped, peeled apples large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press half of mixture into a greased 2½ quart baking dish or a 9-inch square baking pan. Cover with apples. 2. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, water, • 1 cup packed brown sugar • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
and vanilla. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thick and clear. Pour over apples. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.
APPLES GRANDPARENTS DAY
YOM KIPPUR FAIRS LEAVES FALL MIGRATE GOURD RAKE
3. Bake 60–65 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve warm, with ice cream if desired.
SCHOOL APPLE PIE HARVEST WORKERS AUTUMN LABOR DAY
Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com.
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
404-418-8244 | WWW.DAVIDBRAUNS.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 325 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096
Page 1
A Lawyer Who Listens to Drake?
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How To Demystify Your Kids’ Jampacked Schedules
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Client Testimonials
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3 Stats About Cyberbullying Parents Need to Know
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Winning Apple Crisp
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Dealing With Stress
DEALING WITH STRESS Learn Healthy Coping Mechanisms That Put You in Control You have more control over stress than you think. Stress management is about taking charge of your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions, and the way you deal with problems. No matter how stressful your life seems, there are steps you can take to regain control. Identify Sources Chronic stress is hard to recognize. Look closely at your habits and excuses. Do you explain away stress as temporary? Do you define stress as an integral part of your life? Do you blame your stress on others? If you don’t recognize your role in creating or maintaining stress, you will never be able to control it. Find Healthy Strategies Withdrawing from loved ones, bingeing on food or alcohol, procrastinating, and sleeping too much are all unhealthy ways to deal with stress. Instead, find unique, healthy coping strategies to deal with stress. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control. Avoid, Alter, Adapt, and Accept Some stressors are predictable. Learn how to predetermine your reactions by choosing to avoid, alter, adapt, or accept. Avoid people or situations that stress you out. Talk about your feelings instead of bottling them up, create a balanced schedule, reframe your problems, look at
the big picture, and practice gratitude. It’s critical to look at the glass as half-full and learn to forgive.
Make Time for Relaxation Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. If you make ample time for self-care, you will be in a better place to handle life’s stressors. Give yourself options like going for a walk, calling a good friend, journaling, or reading a book. Live a Healthy Lifestyle In addition to regular exercise, there are other healthy lifestyle choices that can increase your resistance to stress. Eat a healthy diet; reduce caffeine and sugar; avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs; and get enough sleep. Stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate your life. With stress management techniques, you can avoid chronic stress, reduce your stress levels, and live your life to the fullest.
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