Brauns Law - April 2021

Brauns Law - April 2021

404-418-8244

APR 2021

WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM

3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

The 3 Best Lessons From ‘The Giving Tree’ (OTHER THAN GIVING)

S ince its publication 50 years ago, the heartwarming but tragic story of “The Giving Tree” has sparked a lot of reflection. I think it’s especially relevant nowadays, when many of us are worried about our personal relationships. Even adults can gain a lot of wisdom from this famous children’s story. If you haven’t read it, it starts like this: “Once upon a time, a tree loved a little boy.” The boy used to play with her, but as he grew older, he selfishly took her apples, branches, and trunk

Second, “The Giving Tree” inspires the admirable strength needed to love someone unconditionally. Love can sometimes be overwhelming because it’s so big and strong, and it can endure nearly anything. To love someone unconditionally, however, is a whole new level of devotion, which the tree displays in the book. Even though the boy takes everything the tree has to offer and gives her nothing in return, she still loves him and cares for him in his old age. That feeling of love that surpasses all other emotions is enough to make you wonder why people should love unconditionally. The answer from “The Giving Tree” is simple: It can make you very happy. Third, being there for someone else’s hardest moments is one of the most powerful things you can do for a friend, family member, or partner. One reason why “The Giving Tree” is so memorable is that the boy returns to the tree during every significant time of his life. What does the tree do? She humbly offers help and doesn’t judge his lifestyle or loneliness. She loves him without restraint, as if he were still a little boy instead of a selfish adult. If you still see “The Giving Tree” as a sad story, you’re not wrong. In a rare interview with The New York Times, author Shel Silverstein revealed that he didn’t believe in happy endings, even for children. He was convinced that “happy endings, magical solutions, and mythic heroes serve to alienate children by establishing impossible burdens and expectations that can never be met.” However, that doesn’t mean these more complex fables don’t serve a greater purpose. They can teach us how to live a happier, more fulfilling life with meaningful relationships. I think “The Giving Tree” succeeds at doing just that by telling a truly touching but painful story that will serve us for the rest of our lives. -David Brauns

for his own benefit. Eventually, the tree is nothing but a stump, and she is left alone for a long time. Then, when the boy grows very old, he needs a place to sit. The tree offers her stump as a place to rest, and he sits — and the tree is finally very happy again.

This story can seem unbearably sad to some, yet many others smile. Why? Some are moved by the unconditional, parental-like love the tree feels for the child. Others recognize the feelings of loneliness the tree experiences, but they admire that the tree loves the boy all the same. It’s a beloved fable that demands reading and rereading for all ages. Here are three of the lessons “The Giving Tree” can teach you and your family besides giving. First, the story is a perfect example of what it feels like to fall short in a relationship — and how it may not always be obvious to us. It’s complicated to explain to a child that, even if we love someone, we can fail them by taking them for granted. Yet, “The Giving Tree” demonstrates this through how the boy continuously takes from the tree as he grows older. He even takes her trunk to build a boat to get away from people, signifying loneliness. But couldn’t he have spent time with the tree instead and felt less lonely? When we’re too focused on our own problems, we miss out on opportunities to connect with other people. We start losing sight of how we might be falling short in our relationships.

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THE CALENDAR OF ‘THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO’

With 3 Fun Earth Day Projects Sprout Your Kids’ Imagination

This craft just requires a pine cone (the bigger the better), peanut butter, and some twine or string. Top the peanut butter with “sprinkles” of mixed birdseed or small pieces of nuts and fruit to appeal to even more birds. For full instructions, visit TheSpruce. com and search “pine cone bird feeder.” An Egg-cellent Planter Save those eggshells from breakfast (and the paper carton, too!) and use them to start a garden! Your little ones will enjoy planting some seeds, watering them, and watching them sprout and grow into something new. When the sprouts are big enough and it’s warm enough outside, you can plant the shell and carton directly into the ground! This easy project just requires rinsed eggshell halves, some lightly moistened potting soil, and seeds of your choosing. Note that smaller seeds, like those for herbs, lettuces, peppers, or tomatoes, work best for this project. For full instructions, visit GardenBetty. com and search “starting seeds in eggshells.” Stick With Magic Nature is a magical place. Many kids know this instinctively and often point out things adults take for granted or overlook, like bright-colored leaves, fun-shaped rocks, and acorn “hats.” Making a nature wand is a great way to let your kids explore their environment, whether that’s in your backyard, on a neighborhood walk, or in your favorite park. Let their imaginations run wild with what their magic wand can do! This simple project starts with a stick and masking tape. Your kids add all the extra flair by hunting for natural treasures and sticking them onto their wand. Complete instructions can be found at LaughingKidsLearn.com/nature-wands-outdoor-play .

With spring officially underway, April showers starting to bring May flowers, and Earth Day on April 22, now is a great time for outdoor family activities. One for the Birds Making a pine cone bird feeder is a fun and inexpensive project. In addition to creating and hanging your bird feeder, you’ll get hours of extra entertainment from watching the birds it will attract to your yard. If your kids are older, take photos of the birds or note their colors and features and look them up in a field guide or online.

Testimonials DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

“I was referred to Brauns Law by a friend. I have many years of experience in an industry working with different attorneys, and I have never seen the equal to this firm. David and Erica are the best at what they do. They handled everything in record time. Great job in a world where you are a cut above the rest. Thank you!” –Patricia B.

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middle of traffic. So, if something falls, leave it. If you spilled something and need to clean it up right away, pull over first. Otherwise, whatever fell can stay on the ground until you arrive at your destination. Set a good example for other (younger) drivers. One way you can ensure the roads are safer even when you’re not driving is by setting a good example for other drivers — particularly if you have teenagers of driving age in your house. When they’re riding with you in the car, don’t check your phone, eat while driving, or do anything else that takes your attention off the road. They’ll learn to follow your example. Speak up when others are driving distracted. If you’re riding with someone who is texting while driving or putting on makeup, let them know their actions make you feel unsafe on the road. Even if they get defensive and insist they know what they’re doing, chances are they at least won’t drive distracted around you anymore. Maybe as time goes on, they’ll drive distracted less frequently altogether.

Remove Distractions When You’re Behind the Wheel Tips and Tricks to End Distracted Driving E very time we get behind the wheel, a thousand things can distract us and take our eyes away from the road. Whatever it is that distracts you, however, you have the power to stop yourself — and others —from distracted driving. So, in observance of Distracted Drivers Awareness Month, here are a few tips to decrease this dangerous behavior. Put your phone out of reach. Smartphones are addicting. If yours is within reach when you’re driving, you’ll always be in danger of impulsively picking it up and checking your notifications when your eyes should be on the road. So, instead, put it somewhere out of reach. If you absolutely need to make a call or check a notification, find somewhere to pull over safely before doing so.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident where the other driver was distracted, give Brauns Law a call today at 404-418-8244 for a free consultation.

Don’t reach for things that fall. While our first impulse when something falls is to pick it up, that can be a deadly move when you’re in the

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SHEET PAN CHICKEN DINNER

Ingredients • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks • 2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks • 1 tsp salt • 1/4 tsp pepper

• 2 tbsp canola oil • 1 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1 tbsp honey

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper • 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. On a large baking sheet, combine chicken, sweet potatoes, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with oil and toss to coat. 3. Bake for 15 minutes. In the meantime, make the sauce by combining the soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, and cayenne pepper. 4. Remove pan from oven and use a spatula to flip the chicken and potatoes, then add broccoli florets. 5. Drizzle sauce evenly over top and return to the oven to bake for an additional 15 minutes or until chicken has an internal temperature of 165 F and vegetables are fork-tender.

ARBOR ARIES

CHOCOLATE DAISY DIAMOND ENVIRONMENT

GARDEN KITE

BASEBALL CHERRIES

RAINBOW SHOWERS

Inspired by TheSpruceEats.com

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

404-418-8244 | WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

Page 1

The 3 Best Lessons From ‘The Giving Tree’

Page 2

3 Fun Earth Day Projects for Families

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What Some of Our Clients Are Saying

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Tips and Tricks to End Distracted Driving

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Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner

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4 MLB Teams Poised for a Great Season

4 TEAMS TO WATCH THIS BASEBALL SEASON DON’T COUNT THEM OUT

This is no joke: The 2021 Major League Baseball (MLB) season will begin on April 1. While you may wonder whether the Los Angeles Dodgers can repeat as champs or if the Tampa Bay Rays can exact their revenge, don’t count these four teams out just yet. Minnesota Twins You don’t make it to the playoffs with the best record in all of baseball and not make it into some kind of list. The Twins are going to be a fun team to watch because they have a chip on their shoulders. While the team managed to score 269 runs in just 60 games, they also lost their record-breaking 18th straight playoff game in 2020. If they can get consistent pitching, both starters and relievers, they will be in the hunt at the end of September. Detroit Tigers There is a benefit to repeatedly being near the bottom of the league: You get good draft picks. The Tigers are on the cusp of finding that special blend of offense and defense in the coming season thanks to some much-needed depth by up-and-coming pitchers and first- round draft picks — so much so that Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com

has them as the top team that missed the playoffs in 2020 who could make a solid run.

St. Louis Cardinals The award for best offseason ought to go to the Cardinals, who, all winter long, appear to have outwitted their Milwaukee and Chicago rivals — the Brewers and Cubs were the top two teams in the National League Central last year — by acquiring third baseman Nolan Arenado and re-signing Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina. The Cardinals are favored to win the Central if those off-season moves pay off. San Diego Padres After acquiring Manny Machado in a big trade in 2019, the Padres have continued to improve, especially against difficult opponents. The Padres were a tough team last year, defeating the Cardinals in the wild card round and losing to the eventual World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Expect them to be near the top of the standings in September.

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