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New Orleans Covington Injury & Estate Lawyers
January 2026
(504) 384-7978
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Make Your New Year’s Resolution Unbreakable BUILD A SYSTEM, NOT JUST A GOAL
Excitement always seems to be in the air whenever we approach a new year. Over the next 12 months, we’ll embark on countless adventures, meet new people, and work toward goals that make us the best version of ourselves. These goals often take the form of New Year’s resolutions and are put in place to help us be healthier, more successful, or live more balanced lives. However, those who have set New Year’s resolutions in the past know that they don’t always stick. In fact, studies show that most resolutions fizzle by February. What causes us to give up on these goals? When you create goals or resolutions, you often choose actions that look good on paper but require intense strategy to bring to fruition, like losing weight or building savings. This year, you should try something different. Instead of focusing on what you want to achieve, focus on how you’ll achieve it. It’s not about creating lofty goals, but creating systems and developing habits that bring us closer to our vision. Goals only stay in the picture when you have ample motivation and inspiration to keep you going when things become difficult. If you want to lose weight but don’t see any visible progress after a month or two, you’ll want to give up. By focusing on systems and habits instead of end goals, you become more consistent in everything you do in life, which can lead to completing your goals naturally. Developing a system that works for you may sound like a goal in itself, but when done right, it can completely transform your life for the better. Establishing a system is all about maintaining consistency with your daily routine. Your goal is the end destination, while the system is your journey to get there. Focusing on the journey instead of the goal reduces pressure and encourages action. Instead of setting a goal to be healthier and trying to get to the gym every day, you establish a system that allows you to meal prep and complete planned, scheduled exercises. The small actions you stick with will lead to substantial results over time.
You don’t need to go overboard; think about one or two small habits you can easily manage. The more specific, the better! Don’t just say you want to read or run more; state that you will run a mile daily or read 10 pages before bed. To ensure consistency, make sure the actions you choose are easy to do daily or weekly. Once you’ve established your system, find a way to measure your progress. Whether you use an app, journal, or checklist, be sure to track how you’re doing. This will tell you when it’s time to celebrate or make an adjustment! Find ways to hold yourself accountable, or you may give up when the going gets tough. Share with friends and family or use an accountability app to keep you on track! Change doesn’t happen overnight, but you can make incredible progress toward your goals by focusing on small steps and creating systems. As you write down your resolutions for the New Year, take a moment to think about the daily habits and systems that can help you reach your goals. Focus, consistency, and a willingness to adapt will help ensure your resolutions stick this year!
–Brad Scott
You want to be intentional when establishing your system to ensure it is as effective as possible. Start small and be specific.
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In November, we launched Operation Fur-Ever Home with Take Paws Rescue, the Louisiana SPCA, and Metairie Humane Shelter to help pets find loving families and spotlight the work these groups do every day. David first spoke with Rebecca Nguyen of the Louisiana SPCA about their century of service, from affordable veterinary care to statewide outreach programs that keep pets healthy and loved. He also sat down with Julie Frank and Vicki Johnson-Cain of Take Paws Rescue to discuss the challenges and triumphs of saving and rehoming hundreds of dogs each year, including heartwarming stories like little Dippin Dot finding a forever home. Finally, Jami Hirstius of Metairie Humane Shelter shared what it takes for an all-volunteer team to manage emergencies, support the community, and keep going with limited resources. If you want uplifting stories and real insight into local rescue work, these episodes deliver with pawsitive energy and a whole lot of love.
The Medieval Cat-astrophe That Invited the Plague Or Did It?
While we often imagine war between rival nations fighting over an ideological difference or disputed borders, this is not always the case. Throughout history, wars have started for strange reasons, but one example that stands out occurred in the 13th century. Pope Gregory IX was the highest-ranking official in the Catholic Church from 1227 until 1241. During this period, the church had a group of agents called papal inquisitors who would “investigate” and prosecute instances of heresy. Conrad of Marburg was an inquisitor under Pope Gregory IX who strongly believed cats had ties to Satan. Many of the confessions he presented to the Pope contained evidence that cats were evil, which led the Pope to declare war on cats. As you can imagine, this was completely one-sided. The cats couldn’t possibly fight back, and between 1233 and 1234, those loyal to the church and the Pope committed a mass extermination of cats. While this likely sends shivers down any cat-lover’s spine, it also had unfortunate unintended effects. In the medieval age, cats were primarily responsible for hunting and killing the local rat population. Without cats, rat populations grew unchecked, which could have helped spread the plague throughout Europe and started the Black Death in 1346. However, take this story with a grain of salt. Documents from that time show the Pope never ordered anyone to kill cats or even that cats were satanic. There is no evidence of mass cat exterminations; if it did happen, we have no proof they played any role in the Black Death. It’s another story where the fictitious elements are simply more exciting than the truth.
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The pandemic helped bring the concept of telehealth into the public eye. Many doctors’ offices urged their patients to book video or telephone appointments if they needed help refilling medications, receiving a prescription for an illness, or getting answers about their symptoms or conditions. Although we’re now a few years removed from the pandemic, telehealth is still going strong, offering patients a wide range of services. While telehealth can benefit people of all ages, it is an invaluable tool for those in their senior years. For starters, it is one of the most convenient ways to get help with your health care needs. Instead of getting in the car when you don’t feel well, you can boot up your computer or hop on the phone from the comfort of your home. One of the greatest benefits of telehealth is how easy it is to reach someone when you have a need or concern. How often have you called a doctor’s office to book an appointment when you feel ill, only to hear their soonest available appointment is not for another month or several months? Telehealth services often have openings at all times of the day to meet your scheduling needs. Telehealth services can be a game-changer when managing specific conditions and your overall health. Doctors and nurses can help manage medication, monitor chronic conditions to determine whether intervention is required, and provide preventive care to keep you in the best shape possible. NO COMMUTE, NO GERMS, NO HASSLE THE TELEHEALTH TREND THAT’S STICKING AROUND
FROM CHALK DUST TO SEA SPRAY: SEND A TEACHER SAILING! Teachers have an incredible impact every single day. They inspire curiosity, build confidence, and show unwavering dedication to their students’ growth and well-being. From early mornings to late nights, in classrooms and beyond, teachers guide, support, and uplift, creating an impact that lasts a lifetime. We were thrilled to celebrate Cindy LeBeouf as our 2025 High Seas and ABCs Cruise winner! After 33 years in the classroom, Cindy has touched the lives of many students and colleagues through her dedication and positivity. Now it’s your chance to recognize the amazing educators in your life! Stay tuned and follow us on social media for details on how to nominate a remarkable teacher for the 2026 High Seas and ABCs Cruise. Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate those who make a difference every day!
FREE consultation and NO FEES unless we win!* (*PI matters only)
What Our Clients Are Saying “Other law firms looked at my case and didn’t think it was worth their time. This will be a firm that I keep in my speed dial for other instances, as well as referrals!” –Dominique P. Thank You for Your Referrals! This month, we’d like to thank Rachel J., Justin J., Blake W., Joseph D., Corey L., Kevin A., Brenden H., Jimmy N., Julian L., LaDarrius W., Johnny W., Demond J., Carol S., Gary B., Raymond A., for believing we are the right firm to help their friends and family. Your continued support gives
While telehealth can’t and won’t replace the doctor’s office entirely, it’s an excellent option for a quick fix or questions!
us the ability to reach more individuals and make a positive difference in their lives. Call us. If we cannot handle your case, we will work on finding someone who can assist you. CALL NOW – OPEN 24/7 (504) 384-7978
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Injury & Estate Lawyers
(504) 384-7978 ScottVicknair.com 909 Poydras St., Suite 1225 New Orleans, LA 70112 Inside This Issue
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Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail
From Chalk Dust to Sea Spray: Send a Teacher Sailing! Health Care Has Gone Remote When the Church Declared War on Cats … or Not OVERRULED Podcast
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How to Spot Real White Chocolate
IS IT CHOCOLATE OR A SWEET IMPOSTOR?
THE TRUTH ABOUT WHITE CHOCOLATE
What’s your favorite type of chocolate? Some prefer dark or bitter dark chocolate, while others prefer the deliciously sweet milk chocolate variety. However, another type of chocolate is usually greeted with raised eyebrows from chocolate aficionados. White chocolate is a creamy, milder treat that many argue is not actually chocolate. Here are the facts: Not all chocolate is created equal, especially regarding different types and brands of white chocolate. The Food and Drug Administration states that for something to be considered white chocolate, it must have a cocoa solids content of at least 20% and a milk content of at least 14%.
beans. Instead, it must contain at least 20% cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is a fat extracted from cocoa beans by a high-pressure press. This is a time-consuming and expensive process, which is why so many brands skip it and replace the cocoa butter with sugar and other filler ingredients. If you’re curious whether you’re buying real white chocolate, look for a couple of things. If you see white chocolate as white as snow, understand that the cocoa butter has been deodorized and bleached to give it that appearance. This removes the flavor and some of the health benefits. Furthermore, look at the ingredient list for the amount of cocoa butter. If it doesn’t have 20%, it’s not real.
People get confused over the classification of white chocolate because it doesn’t contain any pure liquid derived from cocoa
The next time someone tells you white chocolate isn’t really chocolate, hit them with the facts!
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