Brauns Law - January 2022

Brauns Law - January 2022

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JANUARY 2022

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For the Sake of Independence WHY WE ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO OUR OPINIONS

January marks a milestone anniversary of sorts for our country (and history buffs). In early January, 250 years ago, author and preeminent revolutionary Thomas Paine published his pamphlet “Common Sense.” The 47-page document outlined Paine’s arguments for American independence, imploring his fellow colonists to think of themselves not as British, but as Americans. Experts credit “Common Sense” with shifting public perception of the fight for independence.

and my arguing against them won’t force them into another truth. I have to respect what others believe, and I’ve found great freedom in that.

We don’t have to agree; we just have to respect the right we all have to our opinions.

A lot of this understanding has come from the work I do in personal injury law. As an attorney, you learn that people come from all walks of life, and their experiences shape what they believe. Their views are true to them because they have lived through different things. Understanding that has helped me and those who have opposing views meet in the middle and share a great working relationship — one where I can help them, and I may learn something, too. This year, I hope you can take a lesson from Paine and “Common Sense.” To Paine, it was common sense for the colonists to find independence from the British and establish their own free nation. He wrote about the values of independence and personal liberties, arguing that the Crown shouldn’t get to dictate what citizens across the ocean do or say. It’s a powerful lesson in a time when division is common and listening is done with the intent to change the other person’s mind. As we enter 2022, I hope we can instead start listening to understand. We don’t have to agree; we just have to respect the right we all have to our opinions. It’s a right we fought for more than two centuries ago. Happy New Year! -David Brauns

Times certainly have changed, haven’t they?

Today, expressing your opinion can be seen as divisive, and rarely are we

convinced of a viewpoint that differs from our own when we hear or read about it. Still, we all have the right to these opinions, and those

we disagree with have a right to their own, too.

We can post online about our opinions,

keep them close to the vest, or express and feel how we want to. Love it or hate it, at the end of the day, that’s the very idea Paine and other founders of this nation were fighting for.

Personally, I keep my opinions to myself, and whenever I do consume news, I try to stay neutral. I avoid platforms like Fox News or CNN, which are entirely too one- sided. Plus, I tend to read more about finance. There’s freedom in making that choice. I feel I get the best information available for what I want to read and feel I need to know.

Regardless of my own opinion, I try to respect the opinions of others. I understand that whatever a person believes is their truth,

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THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A HOBBY SKILLS THAT ENRICH US

January is National Hobby Month, and since it falls at the beginning of the year, it’s the perfect time to try something new! Hobbies add variety to your life and ensure you aren’t just living to work, so to speak. The best way to find a hobby you enjoy is to be open to new things. Whether it’s gardening, reading, drawing, running, fishing, crafting, or even beekeeping, finding an activity you enjoy is important. Here’s why!

offers the social support humans depend on to lead a healthy and fruitful life. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find some great friends who share the same passions as you!

HOBBIES DEVELOP PATIENCE.

When you take on a new hobby, you are tasked with learning something new. Whether you’re practicing a new instrument, learning a different language, or figuring out how to make jewelry, a learning curve is involved. Building new skills takes patience, a very important attribute for success. Finding a hobby that suits you may take some exploration and trial and error, but it is all in good fun! Make it your goal to try something new or learn a new skill each month until you find something that sticks. Once you do, you’re sure to find that hobbies are both enjoyable and enriching!

HOBBIES ARE STRESS RELIEVERS.

Hobbies offer a healthy escape from your busy lifestyle by keeping you engaged in something you find pleasure in. Instead of just relaxing on the couch and turning off your mind for a bit (which is totally acceptable sometimes), hobbies allow you to remain mentally productive while winding down at the same time.

HOBBIES ALSO PROVIDE EUSTRESS.

Believe it or not, one type of stress is deemed beneficial: eustress. If you aren’t overly stressed and are feeling a little under- stimulated, a hobby can provide activity for both your mind and body to keep you feeling excited about life and ready to take on new challenges and adventures.

HOBBIES OFFER A SOCIAL OUTLET.

Some hobbies involve group activities, such as bowling, sports teams, book clubs, and even wine tasting. Connecting with others

Follow Us! OUR NEW & FRESH FACEBOOK

I need your help. I took a long break from social media, and Facebook deleted my personal account. I didn’t realize that it would orphan our firm’s Facebook page. So, I had to create a brand new Facebook page for our firm. We are back to ground zero. I would really appreciate it if you could like our new page and let us back into your feed. I promise we won’t bombard you with dry legal stuff and keep it fun. You can use this QR code (to the right) to help us out!

-David Brauns

P.S. On the bright side, my new FB feed is nothing but friends and no spam or advertising because the algorithm doesn’t know what to do with me yet.

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RAILROADS PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN OUR HISTORY

3 Fun Facts About Atlanta

The Atlanta Braves just won the World Series! This victory adds to our state’s historical achievements that makes us proud to be from Georgia. In the spirit of their win, here are some fun facts about Atlanta.

Today, Atlanta has one of the busiest airports because of its location. Atlanta is only a two- hour flight from 80% of the U.S. population. This made it a major port and a reasonable stopover for travel. Atlanta is also ranked the seventh most-visited city for business. This is because Atlanta is home to 10 Fortune 500 companies such as Coca- Cola, The Home Depot, UPS, and Delta Air Lines.

Western and Atlantic railroad. The General Assembly approved this name change in December 1847.

THE RISING PHOENIX

TRANSPORTATION AND TRAVEL

During the Civil War, Sherman’s March occurred and Atlanta was burned to the ground on Nov. 15, 1864. Atlanta was known for its railroads and played a huge role for the Confederate states. Therefore, the destruction of the city and its rail lines devastated the Confederacy. This destruction makes Atlanta the only city in North America destroyed as an act of war. The city literally had to rebuild itself from the ashes. Because of this devastation, the city’s symbol is a phoenix. There is a monument in Atlanta that represents the reconstruction of their city called Atlanta from the Ashes, otherwise known as The Phoenix.

In 1837, Georgia built a railroad that would go into the Midwestern part of the U.S. The railroads established Atlanta as a collection and distribution center. This establishment made Atlanta thrive as a transportation hub, and later on, it would expand because of highways and airports.

ORIGINAL NAME OF OUR CAPITAL

Georgia named the railroad Terminus (meaning “the end”) because it was the southern end of the Western and Atlantic rail lines from Tennessee. Because of this, Terminus was also the name of Georgia’s capital at the time. In 1842, the name of the capital changed to Marthasville in honor of former Governor Wilson Lumpkin’s daughter, Martha. Some residents didn’t like the idea of the city having a feminine name. Therefore, they proposed the name Atlanta, based on the

And now we can add winning the World Series (again) to our history!

WORD SEARCH

CHICKEN WITH LEMON HERB SAUCE

Ingredients • 1/3 cup and 2 tbsp olive oil, divided • 4 boneless chicken breasts • 1 clove of garlic, minced • 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup parsley, chopped • 1/3 cup mint, chopped • 1 1/2 tsp pepper • 1 lemon, for juice and zest

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 450 F. 2. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil.

3. Season chicken with salt and pepper if desired and sear it in the skillet for 3 minutes on each side. Bake chicken until its internal temperature is 165 F. 4. In a blender, add 1/3 cup olive oil, garlic, salt, parsley, mint, pepper, and lemon zest and juice and blend ingredients until coarsely mixed. 5. Top chicken with sauce and serve!

BLANKET CARNATION COLD EMMYS

FOOTBALL GARNET JANUS MITTENS

PARADE RESOLUTION SNOW WORKOUT

Inspired by FoodNetwork.com

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

Learning to Respect All Opinions

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Why Hobbies Are Important

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Our Clients Say It Best

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How Railroads Helped Name the Capital — Multiple Times!

Chicken With Lemon Herb Sauce

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The Street Vet

SAVING THE LIVES OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS’ PETS THE STREET VET

Veterinarian and animal advocate Dr. Kwane Stewart, known in his docuseries as “The Street Vet,” has his own veterinary practice in Modesto, California, but still makes a point to help

the bond between homeless individuals and their pets is unlike any that he sees in his office. “Keep in mind that they are with their pet every minute of every day,” he says. “That’s not the case with most of us.” He notes that seeing

the pets of the homeless population in town for free. He began this selfless act of heroism in 2011 after the Great Recession hit and has since helped well over 400 animals, even tending to a Burmese python at one point!

these special pet patients makes him feel as if he has a superpower. Dr. Stewart recalls that growing up, he wanted to be either a vet or Batman, and now, he gets the best of both worlds! Dr. Stewart often spends his spare time wandering the streets in search of pets that need his help, offering free vaccinations and medical care. He notes that the homeless

About 25% of Modesto’s homeless population own a pet, and back in 2011, Dr. Stewart noticed that many needed medical attention. This tugged at his heart

strings. Knowing that many would come for free pet medical attention if he set up a table near a soup kitchen, Dr. Stewart jumped at the opportunity. What he thought would be a one- time event eventually turned into a regular act of heroism.

population is just like us, but they have fallen on hard times, and their pets are their companions and lifelines. In helping the pets, Dr. Stewart builds a special bond with their owners. To be able to make a difference in the lives of sweet, innocent animals and their owners is the most rewarding type of work — the dream job Dr. Stewart could have never even conjured up before he selflessly started living it.

Now, Dr. Stewart has the ability to step in and save the day for both the pet and owner at no cost. Dr. Stewart has found that

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