Brooks & Crowley February 2019

Review Brooks & Crowley

February 2019

781-277-7321

www.brooksandcrowley.com

439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026

*Services Throughout Massachusetts

decide to hit us with another snow storm. Taking a moment to check in on your elderly or sick neighbor to see if they’re okay — or even taking time to shovel their walkway without claiming credit — can make their day a whole lot better. Even when the weather isn’t hectic, offering to rake leaves, carry groceries, or even walk the neighbor’s dog are simple activities anyone can do to help the people around them. Random acts of kindness fit perfectly into our modern world. Everyone needs a little kindness in their life, and anyone can give it. We are all so busy getting through our days and weeks that it never feels like we have any extra time. There are many local charities that would gladly accept the winter clothes you stopped wearing a year or two ago, and local food banks would certainly appreciate your extra canned goods. Taking a few extra minutes to pack those items up and drop them off before or after work helps the charity, and it will make you feel good. Do you have a teacher, former boss, or coworker who inspired you or taught you something valuable? Take a few minutes to reconnect (even by email) and let them know that you are thinking of them. Is there someone who helped you or someone in your family? Next time you’re running errands, pick up a greeting card or a note card and surprise them with it. I guarantee it will make their day. There’s a quote by the Dalai Lama that I think sums this up perfectly. He said, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” Maybe someday, if we all work a little harder, every day will be a random act of kindness day. –Steven Brooks "I believe that small acts of kindness can go a long way, no matter the gesture."

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS A Little Gesture Can Go a Long Way

they never reach out to see how they could help someone else. There’s a lack of empathy in many people these days, but I believe that small acts of kindness can change the world for the better, a little at a time. Random acts of kindness come in all shapes and sizes, and in times of need they are especially important. You never really know what you’ll do for someone else. It could be that a person was having a terrible day, but because you went out of your way to smile at them or give them a friendly greeting, their day got a little brighter. However, many individuals don’t realize they can make a difference. We’ve had a lot of crazy weather over the past couple of months, and nobody knows when Mother Nature might just

National Random Acts of Kindness Day happens every year on Feb. 17, and it's a great opportunity to be kind and help people however you can. This holiday has grown in popularity over the years and has inspired many individuals, groups, and organizations around the world to be kind to one another. I believe that small acts of kindness can go a long way, no matter the gesture. Recently I was in an airport thinking about how nice it would be if all the people who were so focused on their phones or other electronic devices were to put them down and say something nice to the person next to them. Many people today seem to lack a personal connection with everyone around them; some are so focused on their own lives that

1

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

Why Having Enough of Your Own Insurance Can Make a Big Difference

claim with our client’s own insurance company. Fortunately, our client was smart enough to carry an auto insurance policy with double the policy limits of the at-fault car. As a result, she was able to make a claim against her own auto policy for her injuries. This essentially allowed her to have two claims against two different insurance companies from a single accident. Although her treatment record was problematic, she had several advantages we were able to highlight: • She is a nice person, and the insurance company was able to see that she would be a good witness. • She had a reasonable explanation for her lack of follow-up treatment. • She had no complaints of prior back injuries (and her primary care doctor was willing to say so). • She really suffered from her injuries. In the end, we were also able to resolve the second claim for her entire policy limit! This case had a relatively happy ending, but there are lessons in it for anyone who is involved in an auto accident. 1. Follow (and follow-up on) your doctor’s treatment instructions. Everyone involved agreed that, had the client followed the recommended medical treatment at the time of the accident, her condition would not have deteriorated to the point that she needed back surgery. 2. Carry enough insurance. Don’t allow your recovery to be limited to the amount of coverage picked by someone else who has already proven to be a negligent driver. Carry uninsured/underinsured coverage of your own. Consult your insurance agent for what coverage is right for you. In many instances, you can purchase an extra $80,000 to cover a potential claim for only a few dollars per month. 3. Act quickly and seek professional advice. Preserve your rights so you don’t come close to losing them.

We were recently contacted through an existing client by a person who had been injured in an auto accident nearly three years earlier. The victim was a single mom who worked full-time and had a young daughter to care for. She was advised by her doctors to seek physical therapy but never found the time. Like most moms, she put taking care of others ahead of herself. Over time, her back pain got worse. She finally attempted physical therapy more than two years after the accident, but by that time, it did not help and neither did nerve block injections. Finally her pain became unbearable, causing her to go to the hospital. Surgery to enlarge her spinal canal and relieve pressure on the spinal cord — known as a laminectomy —was performed the same day. After a lengthy recovery, her pain was much improved, although she is still not perfect. Before contacting us, she had contacted two other lawyers who told her that she didn’t have a claim because too much time had passed between the accident date and her surgery: It would be tough to prove that her back surgery was required as a result of the accident; the treatment was too remote; and anything could have happened in the nearly three years between the accident and the surgery. In Massachusetts, if a personal injury case is not filed in court within three years of an auto accident, the claim is forever barred. When we met her, there was less than a week before the statute of limitations expired. We believed her, sympathized with her situation, and decided to help her. We filed a lawsuit in the appropriate court to preserve her rights. The circumstances were unusual. As we prepared the claim for submission to the other driver’s insurance company, we worked closely with our client and got to know her. During negotiations, we were able to put the pieces of her story together in a way that the other party’s insurance company understood. As a result, the company offered their full policy limits in order to settle her claim. After resolving the bodily injury portion of her claim, we next pursued an underinsured motorist

42

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

‘Do the Work’ Overcome Resistance and Get Out of Your Own Way

it, prescribing Pressfield’s antidote to resistance — you guessed it: doing the work . Compared to its predecessor, “Do the Work” is a quick read. Though it’s less than 100 pages, what this guide lacks in length it makes up for in specificity and approachability. The book is laser-focused on helping anyone who is undertaking creative endeavors to identify their own resistances and overcome them. Combined with Pressfield’s no-nonsense delivery, every page is filled with the distilled, biting wisdom of a man wholly dedicated to his craft. Pressfield manages to strike a tone that is stern, humorous, cynical, and at times even whimsical without missing a beat. You can feel the author smirking at you through the page when he tells you, “Stay stupid. Follow your unconventional, crazy heart.” He dares you to pick your pen back up and return to

Few modern authors have a resume as colorful or textured as Steven Pressfield. A graduate of Duke University, the best-selling author served in the Marine Corps, drove tractor trailers, taught school children, and worked as an oil field roustabout — all before penning his first published work. Having struggled as a writer for 17 years before seeing his first paycheck, it’s no surprise that Pressfield has plenty of wisdom to share when it comes to making long-term dreams a reality. Pressfield first addressed the challenges aspiring artists, entrepreneurs, and athletes face in “The War of Art.” This guidebook lays out Pressfield’s core philosophy that a creator is their own greatest enemy. It’s in this work that he first coined his idea of “resistance,” Pressfield’s word for the self-defeatist attitude that causes so many great ideas to be left on the drawing board. “Do the Work” is a follow up to

your drawing board. “Do the Work” crackles with the tempered passion and biting wit of a learned master. If you’re looking to reignite your creative spark, “Do the Work” needs to be a permanent fixture on your nightstand.

Laugh Out Loud

For a sinfully delicious Valentine’s Day dinner, turn to this classic Italian steak preparation. It’s simply flavored with rosemary and lemon, allowing the meat to take center stage. Bistecca Alla Fiorentina

Ingredients

1. 30 minutes before cooking, remove steaks from fridge to bring them to room temperature. 2. Heat a grill or large cast-iron skillet to high. While heating, brush steaks with half the oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. 3. Place steaks on the hottest part of the grill or pan and cook for 5 minutes. 4. Flip steaks and baste with remaining oil, using rosemary sprigs as a brush. If cooking in a pan, place sprigs next to steaks after basting. 5. Cook for 5–6 minutes for medium-rare. 6. Let steaks sit for at least 5 minutes, slice against the grain, and serve with bone. Instructions

•

2 bone-in porterhouse steaks 1/4 cup olive oil 2 sprigs rosemary Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste Lemon wedges, for serving

• • •

•

Inspired by Saveur magazine

13

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026 Inside This Issue

1

Helping the People Around You

Why Having Enough of Your Own Insurance Can Make a Big Difference

2

3

Book Review: ‘Do the Work’ Bistecca Alla Fiorentina

4

Local Events

Adventure, Music, and Chocolate! Local Events in the Boston Area

other cultures through group performances of song and dance. For more information and to

While it may be tempting to stay inside this time of year, getting up and out of the house will lift your spirits during this chilly month. Here are some events that are worth your bundling up and heading out the door! COUNTRY MUSIC BRUNCH Where: Sixth Gear – Cask & Kitchen, 81 L St. South Boston When: Every Third Sunday, 11–3 p.m. Admission: Free! (Restaurant food prices apply) Website: sixthgearboston.com/ For people who love country music and BOSTON TRAVEL & ADVENTURE SHOW Where: Hynes Convention Center – HALLSA/B When: Saturday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: Free–$12

purchase tickets, visit their website. CHOCOLATE AND CHEESE VALENTINE’S DAY!

Where: Allium Market & Cafe, 1330 Beacon Street, Brookline When: Thursday, Feb. 14, 7:30–9:30 p.m. Admission: $58 Website: alliummarket.com/ If you and your spouse or partner are looking for something a little more adventurous than a movie and dinner this Valentine’s Day, then this event is perfect for you. Enjoy an evening exploring new tastes in chocolate, cheese, and wine. Allium pairs five of their cheeses with five different chocolate bars for unique combinations of flavors. After the class, attendees can enjoy a discount on the food sampled.

Website: travelshows.com/shows/boston/ Traveling around the world is a valuable pastime, and the Travel &Adventure show can help you prepare for your adventures. Speak to and learn from experienced travelers such as Samantha Brown, Peter Greenberg, and Pauline Frommer. People from more than 200 destinations will be there to help you get an idea of where you want to go and what you want to do. The two-day convention features hands-on, family-friendly activities and immerses you in

gathering with family and friends for brunch, this event is perfect for you! Make sure to reserve a table at the Sixth Gear – Cask & Kitchen for an afternoon of great food and some of your country favorites. You can enjoy the top hits from the '90s, 2000s, and today, while dining at this great local restaurant.

4

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com