Take a look at our May newsletter!
MAY 2025
How Thinking Outside the Box Transforms Work and Life CREATIVITY ISN’T JUST FOR ARTISTS
Whenever we think about creativity, our minds usually jump to artistic endeavors. Painting, woodworking, drawing, and making music are all creative outlets many of us like to explore during our free time. However, our creativity isn’t limited to these artistic pursuits. We can use creativity at work to solve problems, discover new strategies, and improve team morale. Even in my line of work, we use creativity daily to help our clients. One of the best ways my team uses creativity to our advantage is through storytelling. You might think I’m referring to storytelling in front of a jury during a trial, but our storytelling efforts start way before that. After an accident, we’ll send a demand package to the insurance company, and the best ones always focus on how specific injuries negatively affect an individual’s life. These require creativity because anyone could say, “I broke my ankle and am struggling to clean my house.” Instead, we focus on the actual human characteristics of our clients. It could be something like, “I really like wearing heels, but I can only wear sneakers since I broke my ankle.” We want to demonstrate that our clients are unique individuals instead of simply presenting the facts of the case.
Creativity can be an excellent escape when you’re going through a personal injury case. You might not be able to participate in some of your favorite activities in many instances, so you’ll have to find something to fill that time. Journaling is a great way to process your emotions and gain a new perspective on the situation. There are countless creative outlets you can find around your house that will take your mind off the present situation and improve your outlook. One activity you might want to explore is cooking. This is one of my favorite areas to express my creativity. Most people will stick to the same few dishes, especially if they’re cooking for company. However, I always try to make something new. Sometimes, it’s excellent, and we can’t wait to try it again. It’s a disaster at other times, but this presents an opportunity to figure out what went wrong, laugh, and create a story around the events.
Years ago, I joined a church, and some members told me they wanted to come visit. I asked if there was a specific treat they enjoyed, and they requested cheesecake. Once they arrived at my house, I set them up in the living room with two big slices. I stepped away to take care of something and noticed they’d hardly taken a bite when I returned. They said it was good, so I
Another way that we maximize our creativity in the office is through our hiring efforts. Every member of our team comes from a different background. I have team members who have worked in call centers, real estate, education, and the legal field. When we meet about a case and discuss it as a group, all of
tried a bite, and YUK! It was like cheese- flavored toothpaste. I realized the clear container which I thought contained powdered sugar was actually baking soda! We had a good laugh and threw it out. Creativity offers opportunities to escape reality, solve serious problems, and learn valuable lessons. Incorporate more creativity into your
“Creativity offers opportunities to escape reality, solve serious problems, and learn valuable lessons.”
their experience comes to the table to help us find the best path forward. We have two attorneys in our office, and we’re always popping into each other’s office to share
life, and you’ll quickly notice that success and happiness follow.
perspectives or ideas. All of these creative efforts help our clients with their cases, but it’s also important that our clients retain a creative outlook as they face their unique legal situation.
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WEIRD, WILD, AND ONCE FEARED MONSTERS LOST TO TIME
Lamia Lamia refers to “a mythological creature depicted as a woman who preys on humans, especially children, by sucking their blood,” according to the OED. In Greek mythology, Lamia was once a beautiful queen Zeus loved, but in an act of vengeance, she transformed into a monster that roamed the night, preying on children. Over time, her name became synonymous with witches and female demons. Snallygaster
Monsters have always been prominent in popular culture. Looking back through history — long before today’s iconic monsters — people had vivid and often bizarre ways of describing the monsters of their folklore. These strange creatures that time forgot may not haunt our collective imaginations today, but their names and stories provide a fascinating glimpse into the fears of the past. Bycorne Bycornes were a popular monster from the mid-1500s with the body of a plump cow and a human face. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) definition of Bycorne describes the beast’s specific diet, which consisted of “patient husbands” who kept him “always fat from the abundance of his diet.” The OED also describes Bycorne’s spouse, Chichevache, who “fed upon patient wives and was always lean.” The legacy of Bycorne shows how folklore often blended humor and fear with ideas about marriage and other cultural norms. Polyphemus
Unlike ancient legends, the Snallygaster emerged in American folklore, fueled by newspaper reports in the early 1900s. This winged beast, described as “a fabulous reptilian bird of vast size,” inspired public hysteria before the legend faded into obscurity. The creature itself has been largely forgotten, but its name left a linguistic mark, morphing into the term “snollygoster,” a term for a shrewd and unprincipled person, which is said to have originated from the Snallygaster legend. Although these creatures have faded from everyday language, their stories reflect the fears, humor, and beliefs of the past. They also remind us that monsters and the words used to describe them are constantly evolving.
Polyphemus is best known from Homer’s “The Odyssey,” in which the one-eyed giant terrorizes Odysseus and his men. By the mid-1600s, the term was generalized to describe any cyclopean creature. Traces of this linguistic shift can be seen today in science with the Polyphemus moth, which got its name from the eye-like spots on its wing.
Mental Health Matters Unlock Your Best Self With These Tips
Maximize your sleep. Sleep plays a key role in our mood, focus, and overall mental well-being. Are you getting eight hours of sleep every night? If not, you may need to adjust your bedtime routine. Avoid looking at screens and limit your caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine intake in the hours leading up to bedtime. Connect with others. Socializing is a great way to take ourselves out of a negative headspace. Find ways to connect with others, even if you’re an introvert. Join a book club or sports team. Call up your parents, siblings, friends, and other family members to talk and catch up on each other’s lives. You could also volunteer with charitable organizations! Pay attention to your physical health. Our physical health directly affects our mental well-being. To maximize your health, you must exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet.
In recent years, people have started paying more attention to their mental health. The pandemic brought forth feelings of isolation for many Americans as they could no longer connect regularly with others. Even though we’re a few years removed from the height of the pandemic, many are still recovering and trying to improve their mental health. When your mental health is suffering, you feel it in all aspects of life. Relationships become more difficult to maintain, your performance at work can suffer, and even your creativity can be stifled. Since May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s explore ways to boost your mental health. Spend more time outdoors! When we don’t get enough sunshine and vitamin D, our mental health starts to deteriorate. You don’t have to worry about the cold right now, so get outside and take a walk, go hiking, or simply bathe in the sun. Your mind will thank you!
Maintaining good physical health can help offset symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Get professional help if needed. Sometimes, the little things won’t make as much of a difference as we need. In that case, you may want to see a therapist or counselor. There is nothing wrong or weak about seeing a doctor. It might be the best possible decision you can make for your health.
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Have a Laugh!
One of the biggest barriers preventing people from trying new creative outlets is cost. Nearly everything in our current society has a price tag next to it. While we can budget and save for the necessary expenses, spending money on creative hobbies often gets pushed to the back burner. But you don’t have to stop being creative when money gets tight. There are many free or inexpensive activities that involve creativity. Here are a few to explore the next time you’re looking for something fun and imaginative. Try a new type of workout. We’re not encouraging you to go to a gym and spend your extra cash on a monthly membership, Stretch Your Creativity, Not Your Budget LOW-COST WAYS TO FEED YOUR CREATIVE SOUL
but there are free and creative ways to add
Asparagus Cashew Rice Pilaf
more movement to your weekly routine. Many places offer a free or low-cost one-day membership to try hot yoga, dance, or another workout class. There are also
beautiful outdoor areas that invite visitors to hike and explore nature, such as Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Cherokee Park,
and Goose Creek Nature Trail at
INGREDIENTS • 1/4 cup butter •
Tom Sawyer State Park.
• • •
2 1/4 cups vegetable broth Salt and pepper, to taste 1/2 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces 1/2 cup cashew halves
Join a group. There are groups throughout our community looking for new members to join. Figure out what creative outlet you want to explore and take to social media or the internet to find a group that shares your interests. There are groups dedicated to acting, painting, drawing, photography, dance, and more. You might have to break free from your comfort zone to get started, but you’ll never look back once you do. Involve the kids (or grandkids)! If you want to start a fun new family tradition, find a creative outlet at home and get the youngest family members to participate. You can cook a favorite dish together, invent a new board game, or share stories. Storytelling is actually a great way to connect with your kids or grandkids. They’ll love hearing stories from when you were their age and will greatly enjoy comparing their experiences to yours.
2 oz uncooked spaghetti, broken into bite-size pieces
• • •
1/4 cup minced onion 1/2 tsp minced garlic 1 1/4 cups uncooked jasmine rice
•
DIRECTIONS 1. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. 2. Stir in spaghetti and cook until coated and lightly browned. 3. Stir in onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes until tender. 4. Stir in rice and cook for 5 minutes. Add the broth and season with salt and pepper. 5. Bring mixture to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and cook for 20 minutes. 6. In a separate saucepan, cover asparagus with water and cook until tender. Drain water. 7. Mix asparagus and cashews into rice and serve warm.
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INSIDE
THE ART OF CREATIVITY IN WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE 1 THE MONSTERS HISTORY TRIED TO FORGET
5 SIMPLE WAYS TO BOOST YOUR MENTAL HEALTH 2 CREATIVE HOBBIES THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK
ASPARAGUS CASHEW RICE PILAF 3 A STRAY DOG PULLS OFF THE ULTIMATE RESCUE MISSION 4
Stray Dog Outsmarts Fate and Saves Her Puppy’s Life
When our furry friends get sick, it’s up to us to bring them in for a veterinary appointment. It’s part of the responsibility of being a pet owner, but stray animals have no owners. Who takes care of them when they most need it? Sadly, help is beyond their reach in many cases. However, some dogs won’t let anything stand in their way, especially if it’s a difference between life and death. In January 2025, a stray mother dog noticed her puppy stopped moving and jumped into action. Without an owner to guide her, the mother brought her baby to a local veterinarian clinic in Istanbul, Turkey. The staff saw the dog standing outside their door, so they checked on her and noticed the lifeless puppy. The pup was freezing cold, and the vet wasn’t even sure if it was still alive!
which provided promising results! The dog was alive but had a very slow heartbeat. The vet used a blow dryer to warm the puppy up, and before long, it was awake and moving again. All the while, the mother was at the puppy’s side with her head perched on the examination table. So, how did the puppy’s mother know where to take her baby? This wasn’t her first encounter with this vet clinic; the same doctor was already treating the puppy’s littermate after good Samaritans brought her to the same clinic a few days earlier. Both puppies have been reunited with their mother and are all under the close eye of the clinic. Whether discussing humans or dogs, parents are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their children survive and thrive. However, dogs might have to be more creative with their efforts.
The vet could not hear the puppy’s heartbeat with a stethoscope, so he checked it with a needle,
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