Bruce Law Firm - August 2020

Bruce Law Firm - August 2020

YOU CAN DO IT! Gracefully Confronting Life’s Challenges

Everyone confronts different challenges in life; some have more than others, and they vary by degree. Whether it be successfully completing a project at work, getting in to a certain coveted school or program, or overcoming a seemingly insurmountable obstacle in your personal life, we all face challenges. The true test is how we tackle these obstacles and what we learn from them. Personally, one of the major challenges I have confronted was preparing for — and passing on my first attempt — the Florida Bar examination. The examination is a gateway for law students to become lawyers. The exam is three full days, and studying takes several months, not to mention the three years of law school.While this exam is difficult in its own right, during my studies, I was also juggling working full time as a paralegal with Bruce Law Firm and taking care of my 4-month-old daughter. It was a lot for me to go through, as I had the stress of preparing for the bar exam while adjusting to my new role as a mother. I remember being under a constant state of stress and anxiety, sometimes even waking up with nightmares even during my short sleeps. While difficult and stressful, the circumstances in my life that complicated my bar exam challenge also made me a stronger and better person and lawyer. The entire experience helped me better understand and empathize with my law firm’s clients, many whom are women in bad relationships with the extra complications of worrying about their children and finances. Our clients often go through similar experiences: They are caring for children, enduring emotional abuse at the hands of their spouse, but also financially dependent on their spouse. They are scared of what may happen if they leave their spouse but also excited and hopeful at the prospect of having a better life. When they eventually do make the decision to leave and take that very difficult step, they are so much happier and fulfilled. Sure, there are tough days, but the end result — their freedom — is that much sweeter when they have faced challenges along the way. Instead of looking at challenges with fear and apprehension, we should retrain ourselves to view challenges as learning experiences. They are tests that make the end result — for me, being a lawyer, and for my clients, being free from oppression — that much sweeter in the end.When confronting these obstacles, do your best. Keep doing what you need to do, and once things are said and done, you can take pride in the fact that you made it through a challenging time.

– Sarina Alba 561-810-0170 • 1

Amber Waring

Dedicating Herself to Passion, Interests, and Care

Amber Waring first moved to southern Florida with her family last year and knew her first step after moving should be finding work. Amber didn’t desire “just any job” but wanted a position that fit her skills and interests — where she could excel and make a positive difference. Soon into her search, she found a job listing that led her to Bruce Law Firm. “When I found the position opening Bruce Law Firm had advertised, I remember reading the description and dropping everything to apply right

Help Your Kids Handle Stressful Situations

With These Sensory-Rich Activities

then,” Amber says. “I knew this was an organization I wanted to be a part of. And when I came in to meet the team for the first time, I knew it was a perfect fit.” This same feeling was shared by the team. Excited to have found such a dedicated individual, it wasn’t long after the meeting that Amber joined Bruce Law Firm.

You can see it happening, almost in slow motion: Your child goes from playing and laughing to frowning in less than a second. They start to cry, and suddenly, a meltdown is underway. Is this just the way raising young kids is? Does a lack of sleep, change in routine, or intense hunger always have to lead to a meltdown? While it’s human to feel emotions and express them, you can use certain strategies to help your child navigate major emotions and calm down. The key is helping them tap into their central nervous system with activities that engage their senses. Just like adults, younger kids sometimes need support to regulate their emotions, especially in situations that are stressful for them. That’s where activities that engage the five senses can be really beneficial. Sensory activities that utilize the five senses can help your little one connect their body to their immediate surroundings and the larger world around them.

“The team that I work with is such a strong and vibrant team,” Amber adds. “Everyone shares exemplary work ethic and goes above and beyond for our clients.”

Amber is a quick learner and passionate about what she does. As she helped our firm become an even better place for our clients, she also took on more responsibilities. “I started as a legal assistant handling client intake and scheduling,” she explains. “As my responsibilities changed and grew, my title changed to paralegal.”With her attention to detail, organization, and customer service skills, the role of paralegal was well-earned and a perfect fit for Amber. When it comes to her position, it’s not just the work that Amber finds rewarding. “The best part of my job is making a difference in the client’s experience. Often, when a new client contacts us, they are going through a difficult time. Seeing the client through such a difficult time in his or her life is fulfilling.” In her free time, Amber enjoys horseback riding and spending time with her husband, Josh, and young daughter, Lilah. “I’ve been an equestrian my whole life. If I’m not in the office, chances are you can find me in the saddle. If I’m not there, I’m probably on the beach with my family.”

Here are some sensory-rich activities that can help kids feel calmer in stressful times:

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Make a pile of pillows and jump into it.

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Put on some fun music and dance.

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Bounce your little one on your lap or an exercise ball.

Is your friend or client in need of a guide related to recent job or income loss? The book can be downloaded for FREE at SupportModificationBook.com. If your friend or client lives in the South Florida area, we’ll mail them a hard copy of the book upon request. OUR SUPPORT MODIFICATION BOOK CAN HELP!

• Take them for a spin around the house in a box or laundry basket; kids can even race each other.

• Create a slide by propping a mattress or exercise mat against the couch.

These are activities you can use right where you are to help your child find their calm again, even in a meltdown. According to early childhood development expert Alyssa Blask Campbell, sensory input stays in the system for about two hours, meaning even just five minutes of these types of activities can give you and your child hours of calm throughout the day.

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The Importance of Family Bonds Connecting and building relationships with the people you love is important in all walks of life. No matter if you’re a parent, child, or guardian, working to maintain healthy relationships is significantly beneficial to improving your quality of life. Here are a few ways to build strong bonds with your loved ones. 3 Ways to Build Stronger Relationships With the Ones You Love

USE THE TECHNOLOGY READILY AVAILABLE TO US. Technology gives us the chance to stay more connected than ever before. To keep in touch with a student in college, this is a great way to stay close. Set up regular video calls or phone calls each week to let them know how things are doing back home and give them a chance to talk about school.

Sending photos of daily activities is another fun way to stay connected — you can share photos of breakfast, yardwork, or pets to let them know how things are going.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS. Communication is key in any relationship, and taking the steps to ensure your loved ones are comfortable talking to you, and vice versa, is important. Opening up to the people around you builds trust and a sense of closeness. Knowing that you can rely on them and that they can rely on you during difficult times is a powerful influence in fostering those close relationships. To have these conversations, create a safe space for both parties to feel comfortable while expressing themselves. Everyone should be able to relax and share thoughts, feelings, and fears openly.

MAKE AN EFFORT TO BE ACTIVE IN THEIR INTERESTS. Showing interest in something your loved one is enthusiastic about is a great way to express how much you care about them. Engage in the activities they love or are taking part in, such as attending sports games or watching a theatrical performance. People appreciate it when someone values their interests and puts in an effort to take part in an activity they deeply care about. Remember, while making these efforts to deepen the bonds you share with the people you care most about in life is important, your happiness also matters. Work with your loved ones to forge stronger and joyful relationships you all will benefit from.

have a LAUGH

Peach and Arugula Pasta Salad

Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com

ingredients

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8 oz penne or fusilli pasta

• • • • • •

3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

2 tbsp olive oil

2 large fresh peaches, diced or sliced 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced 1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp sea salt Pepper, to taste 2 tbsp lemon juice

1 cup corn

6 cups arugula, packed

Directions

1.

In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta for approximately 9 minutes or until al dente. Drain pasta and place in a separate bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and lemon

juice. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and toss with the feta cheese. Add peaches, red onions, tomatoes, corn, and arugula to the pasta mixture. Lightly toss to mix well. Add more olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.

3.

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The Bar Exam Has Never Been so Stressful page 1

The Best Activities for Helping Kids Cope With Stress

Meeting Your Bruce Law Firm Team page 2 The Importance of Family Bonds Peach and Arugula Pasta Salad page 3 Are Your Thrift Store Donations Being Thrown Away? page 4

Your Thrift Store Donations:

Are They Being Thrown Away?

Are you thinking about donating your kids’ old clothes or that slow cooker you haven’t used in months? Though donating your unwanted items is a great thing to do, amid the pandemic, many people have not considered the future of secondhand shopping and charity-based thrift stores like Goodwill. In 2018, Goodwill funded nearly $5.3 billion in charitable services, like educational assistance, job

how long the COVID-19 virus can live on clothing, secondhand shoppers have been staying home, worried about the health risks of buying used goods.

Famously, thrift stores still keep unsold goods out of landfills. Up to 75% of Goodwill’s merchandise, for example, isn’t sold in their stores. Instead, it’s sent to discount outlets and then into global markets. However, Mexican traders, who account for 30% of business at thrift stores close to the U.S. southern border, and Kenya, the world’s largest buyer of unsold secondhand clothes, have stopped buying during the economic shutdown. Meanwhile, some good-intentioned Americans are leaving their goods outside thrift stores’ front doors, not realizing that without enough space to house the excess donations, many of these thrift stores will have to pay disposal fees, costing the business potential revenue and sending your items into local landfills. However, Goodwill still wants your donations! You just might have to hold on to your items for a little bit. Check to see if your local thrift stores are open for donations. Many recommend waiting until the influx slows down, but others have expanded their inventory storage and are ready to keep up. Just make sure to follow their guidelines on acceptable items because any broken or worn items only add to their costs. Happy donating!

training, and work placements. But now, Goodwill and similar organizations are facing a unique problem: They’re receiving too many donations. To prevent your items from ending up in a landfill, consider the following before you donate. Under the circumstances, this situation is understandable. Thanks to nationwide stay-at- home orders, many took advantage of their newfound spare time to spring-clean and subsequently donate unwanted items to charity. However, with the confusion about

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