Brauns Law - March 2020

Brauns Law - March 2020

404-418-8244 March 2020 WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

The Book That Changed My Life What Happens When We Make Time to Read

All my life, I’ve been a prolific reader. I have early memories of going to the library as a child with my mom and walking out with stacks of books that filled my arms. Every book offered some fantastic new adventure, and I couldn’t wait to dive in. I was an English lit major in college, and I loved getting to read all the classic works of fiction. I’m still a big reader today, though I’m primarily reading nonfiction these days. For me, books have served as my mentors. Every successful person has a coach or a mentor they learn from and model themselves after. I never had a mentor I could meet with in person, but fortunately, successful people love writing books. It’s never been easier to find a podcast, YouTube video, or book from some successful person talking about how they overcame whatever problem I’m dealing with at that moment. Rather than finding someone to physically mentor me, I’ve been able to improve myself by reading books from people who are successful in business, law, family, or fitness and learn chapter by chapter. One book that absolutely changed my life was “The 10X Rule” by Grant Cardone. Reading this book is what inspired me to take the leap and start my firm. Cardone is a motivational speaker who isn’t just some guru trying to sell audiences something. He’s run his own successful business, so everything he writes about is based on real experiences.

“One book that absolutely changed my life was ‘The 10X Rule’ by Grant Cardone.”

“The 10X Rule” is about goal setting, but it goes beyond the advice to “write down your goals,” like most people preach. In fact, while most people say to play it safe with “attainable,” Cardone says the biggest mistakes people make are not setting high enough goals. He advocated for setting goals that are 10 times bigger than your original goal. Massive action for massive results. Even if you don’t achieve that massive goal, you’ll still be much further along than you would be if you held yourself to the smaller goal. I listened to “The 10X Rule” on audio book, and it gave me the courage to start my firm. The biggest barrier to success was my own uncertainty, so I just had to go for it, and go big. Looking where I am today, I’d say Cardone’s advice is pretty solid. March 2 is Read Across America Day, and I know a lot of people talk about how much they want to read more but never find the time. Between being a lawyer, running my own firm, and raising a family, I know what it’s like to have limited reading time. I’ve found that if I want to

read, I have to make time to read. Aside from the occasional football game here or there, I don’t watch a lot of TV. Instead, I spend an hour reading before bed. It’s a good way to wind down, and they say not staring at a screen before bed helps you sleep better. Between audiobooks, e-books, and the ever-reliable library book, it’s easier than ever to make time to read more. Set a goal to read at least 10 books this year — then I dare you to employ the 10X Rule and aim to read 100 books this year! -David Brauns

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March Madness Fun for the Whole Family WHOSE PICKS WILL GO ALL THE WAY?

One of the greatest things about March Madness is that you don’t have to be a huge college basketball fan to get in on the fun. Kids of all ages can fill out brackets — or have a parent fill one out for them — and watch their picks duke it out on the court. While healthy competition among family members can be fun all on its own, check out the following tips if you’re looking to go the extra mile and reap as much fun from March Madness as you can. basketball, but if they fill out a bracket, then they might gain at least a passing interest in who will win each game. To elevate their interest, turn each March Madness matchup into a little party. It doesn’t have to be fancy; make fun snacks to eat while you watch or bet pieces of candy on who will have the most points to create great family bonding opportunities. Reward the winners with prizes. Offer prizes to each round winner as well as the overall bracket winner to get the Turn each game into an event. Not every kid may like watching

whole family involved. Small prize ideas for each round can include a homemade dinner of the winner’s choice, a week’s supply of their favorite snack, or a coupon for getting out of a chore. Whoever wins

the whole tournament (or makes it the furthest with their bracket) deserves a bigger reward. Offer them the chance to see a movie of their choice in theaters or to eat a meal at their favorite restaurant.

Create a learning opportunity. Learning math or geography might not sound like your child’s idea of fun, but it can be when they learn it through the lens of March Madness. See if your kids would be interested in understanding the inner workings of the ranking system or studying where some of the qualifying colleges are located on a map of the United States. They may find it so interesting that they don’t even realize they’re learning valuable skills.

Testimonials DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

“So, I had a car accident last July. I’m Asian and thought this was going to be hard. But nope! I called this law office, and Ms. Erica accommodated me well from start to finish. Mr. David Brauns called me himself and made sure I had all the info I needed. He is very friendly, and so is all the staff. They will make this easy for you. They helped me out for my rides too. I highly recommend this law practice! They are fast, and they negotiate great to ensure you will be satisfied with your compensation. They referred me to the best spine specialist and other doctors. All in all, the whole experience was five stars. Make sure you call them! They also send me freebies in the mail, and I love those.” -Kate Stone

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St. Patrick, the Shamrock, and the Color Green

The Symbols of St. Patrick’s Day

When you say “St. Patrick’s Day,” the very first thing people think of is the color green. From festive decor to various beverages, everything is adorned with green on and around March 17. The green, of course, comes from the holiday’s association with the shamrock, or three-leaf clover, and Ireland, the Emerald Isle. But just how far back in history does the association between St. Patrick and the shamrock go? Or the color green, for that matter? It turns out the association between St. Patrick and the shamrock goes back to the very beginning! St. Patrick lived in Ireland sometime between the years A.D. 400 and 490. Legend has it that St. Patrick, a Romano- British Christian missionary and bishop, used the shamrock, or three-leaf clover, to teach Irish people about the Holy Trinity — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The color green itself has long been connected with Ireland, too. In the 11th century, a story written in a book called “Lebor Gabála Érenn,” or “The Book of the Taking of Ireland,” tells of Goídel Glas, who was bitten by a snake and saved by Moses. Moses placed his staff on the snakebite and healed the wound, but the wound remained green as a reminder of the bite and that in the years to come, Goídel Glas would help drive the snakes from Ireland — another detail commonly associated with St. Patrick. But the “green” connection continues. The name Goídel was anglicized to the word “Gaelic” and Glas is the Irish word for green, so the name was translated to Gaelic Green. In the 1700s, however, things changed. The Order of St. Patrick — a chivalric order founded in 1783 — decided to use the color blue in all celebrations related to St. Patrick. As a result, blue became closely associated with the saint and the holiday. The group

popularized blue, pushing classic green symbols out of the public consciousness.

Then, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, there was a resurgence of classic Irish cultural symbols, such as the shamrock and the color green. It was part of the Gaelic Revival. Up to that point, the Irish language and classic Irish literature had faded, and many people sought to bring it back — and the symbols along with it. Since then, these symbols have remained a part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and celebrations of Irish heritage!

WORD SEARCH March

GREEN VELVET CHEESECAKE BARS

This St. Paddy’s Day, try taking a festive spin on a classic staple. If you have red velvet lovers in your family, they’re sure to love this equally decadent treat.

Directions 1. Heat oven to 350 F, and line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, combine crumbs, butter, and food coloring. Press into the baking pan. 3. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar together. Ingredients • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs • 1 cup chocolate graham cracker crumbs • 1 stick butter, melted

4. Add eggs one at a time and stir in vanilla. 5. Pour mixture over the packed crumbs. 6. Bake for 40 minutes or until the center is set. 7. Let cool completely before adding sprinkles and slicing. • 1 oz green food coloring (gel works best) • 3 8-oz packages cream cheese, softened • 2/3 cup sugar • 3 eggs • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract • Green sprinkles, optional

ARIES BLOOM BUD FLOWERS

GROWTH LUCKY MELT PUDDLE

RAIN REBIRTH SPRING SPROUT

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

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How Many Books Did You Read Last Year?

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March Madness Fun for the Whole Family

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What Some of Our Clients Are Saying

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Color Me Green for St. Patrick’s Day

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Green Velvet Cheesecake Bars

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Ditch the Energy Drinks

Need a Boost? Natural Supplements to Increase Your Energy

fish, and when consumed, it releases phosphates that give your body a quick burst of energy. Ingesting more than 5 grams, though, will leave you feeling bloated with a lot of stomach discomfort. Creatine powder can be found at most wellness stores. Beetroot Powder Beetroot powder is made from the roots of the beet plant and is rich in nitrate. Nitrate relaxes blood vessels, creating increased blood flow and oxygen delivery. This enables your body to produce energy more efficiently and maintain energy levels, making beetroot powder a great aid for endurance sports like running, soccer, and biking. In the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, a study reported that athletes could work out for 25% longer when they used beetroot powder. Fatigue didn’t set in until much later in their workout, which improved their training and performance. This spring, say goodbye to energy drinks and get the boost you need with one of these natural energy supplements.

As spring kicks off, many people will be tempted to grab a Monster, Red Bull, or Rockstar to get through the day. Energy drinks may give you a quick boost, but the high levels of caffeine and sugar can lead to migraines and increased anxiety. If over-consumed, these drinks can even lead to Type 2 diabetes. To avoid these health hazards, try out a few of these natural energy boosters instead. Ashwagandha Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub found mostly in India. As part of the Ayurveda

system, an alternative medicine practice from India, it’s also known as “Indian ginseng.” The Alternative Medicine Review published a study indicating ashwagandha increases the body’s resilience to physical and mental stress by lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol by 28%. Ashwagandha can also help you through long workouts and the 9-to-5 grind because it may also improve brain function, including memory. You can get ashwagandha in pill form at most convenience stores around the world. Creatine Many people don’t realize creatine is a natural energy booster because they get it mostly in processed, high-sugar energy drinks. However, in doses less than 5 grams, creatine provides impressive benefits during high-intensity activities, short-duration exercises, and sports, including football, shot put, and weightlifting. This compound is found in red meat, pork, poultry, and

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