Take a look at our November newsletter!
NOVEMBER 2024
The Ripple Effect of Accepting Help FROM THANKSGIVING LESSONS TO EVERYDAY INSIGHTS
When we go around the dinner table during our Thanksgiving feast to share what we’re thankful for, many of us focus on those around us, the food, our health, and our careers. However, if you stop and think about all the aspects of your life, you’ll likely discover countless things to be grateful for. Many of these aren’t tangible; they’re simply ideas or beliefs that fill us with gratitude. As we approach the holiday, there’s nothing I’m more thankful for than help! I haven’t always been quick to accept help from others, but a previous Thanksgiving celebration made me change my ways. That year, three of us planned to make all the food for a fairly large celebration. Most of the other guests had not offered to bring anything, and I didn’t think to ask for any additional help. I thought we had it covered!
On the day of the celebration, one of the ladies had a medical emergency and could no longer cook for or attend the dinner. Thankfully, we celebrated on a Saturday instead of a Thursday, so stores were still open, and we could have stuff delivered. I ordered catering from Cracker Barrel to fill any holes, but I learned my lesson. The following year, I didn’t say no when others offered to bring something. By accepting help from more than just two other moms, I felt less flustered and stressed, which allowed me to enjoy the celebration even more. It’s incredible how quickly we’ll decline others’ offers of help because we think it’s unnecessary. It’s not uncommon for my husband and me to host large dinner parties. After my Thanksgiving experience, I never turn down someone who offers to bring dessert or help clean up. Accepting their
help makes everything easier on us and allows us to continue hosting these large gatherings.
When everyone pitches in, offers help or ideas, and works together, you can create a truly spectacular event. Every year, I host a party for my firm at my house. In previous years, I’ve provided all the food for the occasion, so when it came time to make this year’s plans, I asked the team whether they wanted me to cook or have the party catered. Immediately, someone asked if they could bring a salad, and within minutes, everyone decided how they would help. This was completely unexpected, but it worked flawlessly, and everyone had a great time. Even the team’s family members got in on the action! However, one request that was really outside the box caught me off guard. Travis requested that we have a hayride during the party. Apparently, this was the third year in a row that he requested this, but I had always thought he was joking. This year, I decided to make his wish a reality. We had a tractor and trailer, so all we needed was some hay. It ended up being one of the highlights of the event! In the grand scheme of life, most people want to help others. It doesn’t matter if it’s a stranger, parent, friend, or someone else; someone is almost always willing to help when there’s a need. We just have to put our pride aside and accept. Thanks to the help of others, we’ll accomplish our tasks more easily, and they’ll feel wonderful for helping someone else.
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THE BIZARRE AND CREATIVE TITLES THAT NEARLY DEFINED OUR STATES Names That Almost Were
Covington
Frankfort
Louisville
Lexington
TRANSYLVANIA
Owensboro
Bowling Green
One of the first things you likely learned was the name of your home state, but what if everything you knew about your state’s namesake could have been different? Prepare for a journey through the quirky and bizarre world of almost-names for states! The early days of American statehood were filled with creative, peculiar, and downright odd suggestions. Let’s look into history and uncover the surprising stories behind the names that could have been. Kentucky Kentucky’s famous horse race was almost known as the Transylvania Derby, but it has nothing to do with vampires. In 1775, a businessman named Richard Henderson established the Transylvania Company and signed a treaty with the Cherokee tribe, securing land known as the Transylvania colony. However, Henderson’s treaty failed as Virginia had already claimed the land. Years later, in 1792, those living on Henderson’s attempted purchase broke away from Virginia to become Kentucky. Despite naming the state themselves, the residents couldn’t decide whether the state’s new name meant “prairie,” “land of tomorrow,” or “river of blood.” Utah When Brigham Young, the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints (widely known as the Mormon church), moved the congregation
west, they settled in the Salt Lake Basin.
He petitioned Congress to create a new state for them and settled on Deseret, after a name in the Book of Mormon, one of their scriptural texts. The government declined the request until 1896, granting them statehood in a smaller area than they had originally hoped for. They still didn’t get their desired name, though; the government named the state Utah after the Ute tribe that called the area home. Nevada The name Humboldt almost became the name of the state of Nevada. It comes from explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, who helped popularize scientific exploration. Though he traveled thousands of miles across Central and South America, he never made it to the Western United States. So, when Nevada became a state in 1864, they used the Spanish word for “snow-covered” instead. History is full of “what ifs” and whimsical alternatives that could have shaped our country. These almost-names remind us of the rich tapestry of the past and the imagination that defines our nation.
STRATEGIES FOR HANDLING HEATED HOLIDAY DISCUSSIONS Feast Without Fuss
Families don’t always share the same views on certain topics. Many of us have experienced a family gathering where politics, religion, or even sports rivalries have caused conversations to erupt in chaos, leaving us feeling stressed, frustrated, or even angry. You can’t choose your family, and there will likely be occasions throughout the year when you’ll spend time with them. Near the end of November, we’ll celebrate Thanksgiving, one of the quintessential family holidays. Since it’s an election year, there’s a chance conversations will become heated if your family is politically diverse and has different views. However, Thanksgiving is not the time to become disagreeable and pick at family members with different beliefs. One of the best ways to avoid uncomfortable conversations during family gatherings is to be intentional with your questions and responses. Try your best to avoid bringing up any topics that could send someone on a tirade or cause hurt feelings. If you don’t know where to begin, here are a few conversation starters to break out during Thanksgiving:
•
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
• What is the nicest thing someone did for you this year? • What is the nicest thing you did for someone else? • What’s your favorite food to eat on Thanksgiving? • If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
These topics are light and friendly, allowing anyone to jump in on the conversation. That said, some people will still try to force divisive topics into the conversation. If there’s no getting around it, try your hardest not to push back on their opinions. Instead, try to deflect by saying things like, “I’ve never thought about it that way before.” If they ask for your thoughts, just turn it around and ask for their opinions. And if it becomes too spirited, remove yourself from the conversation and go for a walk. It doesn’t matter if you’re attending a wedding, funeral, holiday feast, or other family event — don’t let conflict and differing opinions detract from the reason for your gathering. Enjoy the moment and your time with loved ones!
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Have a Laugh!
Reading is the gift that keeps on giving. If you want to learn more about a specific animal or a significant historical event, there’s a book on it. If you want to lose yourself in a mystical world or take on the role of a detective trying to solve a complex case, books are available that will keep you entertained. While anyone can find books that appeal to every interest, many children will never discover the wonders of reading. Some kids might not have someone in their lives who instills a love of reading in them, while others don’t have someone to take them to a public library or can’t afford to buy new books whenever they need something new to read. November is National Family Literacy Month, and there’s no better time to sit down with your kids, crack open a book, and get them excited about books. Below, you’ll find a couple of the best ways to get your kids invested in reading! Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library If you have little ones in the house who are just starting to enjoy books or love when someone reads to them, you’ll want to enroll in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This unique program will send an age-appropriate book to your child each month from the day of their birth until they are 5 years old. This is a great way to build your child’s home library while introducing them to many new topics. To enroll your child or learn more about the program, check out their website, ImaginationLibrary.com . Your Local Library Local libraries can be utopias for avid readers and book lovers. Libraries house books appropriate for any age level. They have picture and pop-up books for the little ones, chapter books for growing leaders, and plenty of fiction and nonfiction options for experienced readers. Not only do libraries give you access to shelves of paperback and hardcover books, but you’ll also be able to check out e-books from an online catalog easily. If you haven’t been in a library since you were a child, it’s time to head to the nearest one to see what they offer. Unlock Your Child’s Reading Potential
Typing class is going great — now I just need to learn to read.
Greek Chicken and Rice
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • •
2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced
•
1 (14-oz) can diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp dried thyme 2 cups chicken broth
•
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• • •
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup feta cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until softened. 2. Add chicken, oregano, and thyme and cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 3–4 minutes. 3. Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked through. 4. Stir in the lemon juice and feta cheese, then season with salt and pepper.
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INSIDE
WHY ACCEPTING ASSISTANCE CAN TRANSFORM ANY EVENT 1 DISCOVER THE FASCINATING ‘WHAT-IFS’ OF STATE NAMES HOW TO DEFLECT UNWANTED DEBATES AND ENJOY THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY 2 WAYS TO IGNITE A LIFELONG LOVE OF READING IN KIDS GREEK CHICKEN AND RICE 3 PAWS OF HOPE 4
How a Rescue Dog Changed a Veteran’s Life A WARRIOR’S BEST FRIEND
When Marine William “Bill” Lins returned home from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, he felt ruined. He wasn’t the same man anymore and felt like he didn’t fit in anywhere. After sustaining multiple injuries and witnessing the horrors of battle, he never thought he would be able to go back to living a normal life.
Bill felt an instant connection to the goofy rescue dog Link, who was recovering from his own trauma after living a rough life in a kill shelter. Bill said his canine companion is his 24/7 therapist, providing him with support and safety at all hours. Link doesn’t just impact Bill’s life; he makes a difference with everyone he encounters, from Bill’s children to the youth athletes he coaches.
That is until the nonprofit K-9s For Warriors helped him find his missing link — a rescue dog appropriately named Link.
K-9 For Warriors has been pairing highly trained service dogs with military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma since 2011. The free program strives to better the lives of veterans through special canine bonds and ultimately end veteran suicide, which claims the lives of roughly 20 veterans every day. When Bill returned from deployment, he had to recover from two surgeries and realized he had PTSD. He had developed severe alcoholism, drinking every day nonstop as his only coping mechanism. In a hopeless place, the Marine felt like he was losing every piece of his identity and had nothing left. After seeing a friend at the VA bring in his service dog, he noticed a remarkable change in him and decided to apply for the program.
“Together, we kind of make each other whole,” Bill said. “He makes everyone’s world better, and he makes it seem effortless.”
Link has inspired Bill to help others and spread a message of awareness that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a symbol of strength. Bill has since earned his master’s in social work and provides mental health services with his tail-wagging companion by his side for every session.
Together, the pair are showing veterans everywhere that there is hope and that life can get better with a little help from a four-legged friend.
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