Eversole Law Firm - Spring 2022

Eversole Law Firm - Spring 2022

Eversole Quarterly

IMAGINATION ATWORK WHY I LIKE TO GET CREATIVE

Spring 2022

As the 2021-2022 school year winds down and everyone prepares for summer vacation, I’m reminded of my favorite teacher in elementary school, my sixth-grade teacher, Mr. Bell. I still remember when he took our class by bus from Annandale, Virginia, to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. It was an all-day trip, and we had to bring our own bagged lunches. I felt so honored when Mr. Bell asked me to make his favorite sandwich for his lunch, a cream cheese, olive and black pepper sandwich. I made it according to his instructions, and made one for myself too. It was really good and now is one of my favorite sandwiches. I still make it every now and then, but with much more wholesome slices than Wonder Bread. Mr. Bell was not only memorable, but more importantly, creatively inspirational. Inspirational in a way that made you think about what kind of person you might want to be. He had a large white sign with bold black letters hanging above the classroom blackboard that read:

May 30 is National Creativity Day. Creativity can be used to teach as much as it can be the vehicle for growth — and to make something of our own as an expression of who we are. I’ve explored a myriad of creative outlets over the years. I started playing the guitar in high school. I had a twelve-string acoustic guitar and would play and sing Simon and Garfunkel; Crosby, Stills, and Nash; and other pop artists’ songs … in my room. Later I studied classical guitar, but I finally decided to give it up. The effort outweighed the reward. Learning to mechanically play an instrument didn’t make it passionate or creative. I studied art in junior college. They offered me a scholarship to the University of Miami based on a silkscreen painting I did in one of my classes — an abstract piece with attractive shapes and colors. But my teacher and classmates tried to analyze what psychological meaning it had, which seemed funny because it didn’t mean anything! It was just meant to be pleasing to look at. I realized I didn’t want to pursue art as a career, so I turned down the scholarship. I don’t think there is any shame in resigning from an activity that you have discovered is not fulfilling. In the 1960s and 70s, there was a hippie saying, “Bloom where you are planted.” Being raised in the military and moving every year and a half of my young life, I tried to do just that. I found, however, that there is little satisfaction in continuing

to spend time doing something you are really not that good at, no matter where you are planted. Tennis happened to be another one of those activities for me. My Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Nicodemus, enjoyed it more than I did. I’d tie him up to a bench outside the tennis court, and he would gleefully run back and forth making a crescent shaped slobber trail as I labored to score a point. The creative activity that has stuck with me over the years from time to time is woodworking. My father would build things and make tables, desks, and many other useful items. While growing up, I enjoyed watching himwork. Long after Dad passed away, I realized I’d picked up some skills simply by watching him. After finishing law school, I built myself a little woodworking shop in my backyard to renovate my little house. One year I learned how to make dovetail joints and made napkin holders as Christmas presents. Now I dabble in building benches and making things for my barn. It’s undeniably satisfying to create something from scratch.

Small minds talk about people. Average minds talk about things. Great minds talk about ideas.

I read that sign every day throughout my sixth-grade education. It was a nudge — a nudge for our young minds to think about from day to day and to discern the petty from the important. Mr. Bell was very creative in getting his point across to his students.

www.eversolelaw.com -Alysoun Eversole

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THE ART OF QUIETING YOUR MIND BEFORE BED

All day long, thoughts run through your mind, and by the end of the day, your head is probably ready to explode. After all, it’s estimated that in 24 hours you can have between 60,000– 80,000 thoughts. At some point, your brain needs a break, and that’s especially true before you try to go to bed. Here are some ways to quiet your mind, so you can get a full night’s sleep!

Write it down. Instead of letting thoughts fill your mind right before bed (such as the next day’s tasks or any worries you have), set aside time before bed to write it out. Whether you are a fan of journaling, writing letters, or simply just listing out your problems, goals, and thoughts, grab a pen and paper and make it a nightly routine. This way, your thoughts will be freed before your head hits the pillow. Try a light snack. When you can’t sleep, the last thing that you want to do is eat something heavy. In fact, when you eat a large meal right before bed, your digestive system can become overwhelmed. But, studies have shown that eating a light carbohydrate snack such as crackers or popcorn when you can’t sleep may be helpful. Turn your room into a sleep haven. Keeping your bedroom neat, relaxing, and calm can help improve your sleep! Keep all televisions, computers, and screens out of the bedroom and furnish it with soft colors and textures that are tranquil and soothing to you. Pumping the brakes on worrisome thoughts racing through your mind can be tough, but trying these tips and tricks may earn you some relief and much needed sleep.

Keep your bed for sleeping. If you aren’t sleeping, get out of bed! Getting in the habit of scrolling through your phone, watching TV, reading, working, or even eating in bed teaches your brain that your bed is for things other than sleeping! If you find yourself tossing and turning, get out of bed and try a relaxing activity such as reading, journaling, listening to music, or meditating. When you get tired, try getting back in bed. Breathe deeply. Breathing exercises can not only help calm your mind and spirit, but they can lower your heart rate, which is especially beneficial in relieving stress or anxiety when things are upsetting you.

PRESENTING A SHOWSTOPPER WHY IT’S WORTH STAGING YOUR HOME

When you’re selling a house, you generally have a lot on your plate. So, it makes sense that many sellers want to cut some corners and avoid staging their homes before opening them for viewing. It’s just easier, not to mention less expensive. And in such a hot market, staging probably isn’t necessary — right? The truth is that you can sell your home without staging it; people do it every day. But it might take longer, and you’ll probably get a lower price. HomeGuide claims that staging can help you sell your home 88% faster and for a 20% higher price. Realtors also report substantial benefits. According to the National Realtor Association, 80% of buyers’ agents said that staging helps buyers visualize themselves in a home, and 58% of sellers’ agents believe buyers offer more for staged homes.

Of course, we are in an unusually hot market, leading some sellers to do away with the pretense. But that might be a mistake. Staging a home will show buyers the full possibilities of each space, make the home feel new and inviting, and increase confidence in buyers asking, “Is this the house for me?” Meanwhile, buyers who are used to seeing staged homes may think an unstaged one looks unimpressive by comparison. You also can’t sell your home if you can’t convince people to come and see it. First impressions matter, and when buyers need to make fast decisions, listing photos can have a tremendous impact. Professionally staged photos make a property look its best and make buyers more inclined to visit and consider purchasing it — leading to more offers and a better sale price.

Many sellers avoid staging because they think it’s too expensive. And it’s

not cheap — according to Fixr, the national average price of professionally staging a home is $1,500, and pricing can fluctuate due to the size of your home or how much help it needs. But the National Association of Realtors says you can receive a return of up to $400 for each $100 spent, which makes staging a sound investment. If you’re still unsure, ask your realtor for their opinion. Remember, they’re invested in getting you the highest selling price possible. If they agree that staging would help, it comes from experience and previous success. Accept their wisdom, and use it to your advantage.

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AND LET AN EXPERT HANDLE YOUR ESTATE PLAN StepAway From the Computer! As any homeowner knows, there are countless projects you can tackle without the help of an expert — but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Most of us have probably started an undertaking, gotten knee-deep into it, and then realized we were in over our heads. When it comes to the safety and functionality of your home, it’s best to know your limits — and the same is true for estate planning. DIY estate planning is on the rise, and so are the problems it often creates. We all want to save money, and some people think they can even save time by filling out a few quick forms they found on the internet. With so many resources online, anyone can start to feel like an expert, but a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Estate planning attorneys offer more than just the convenience of handling all the details. The law is complex, and lawyers spend years in school just trying to learn the basics. No matter how smart or savvy you are, a few hours on Google can’t replace that knowledge any more than it can accurately diagnose a heart attack. What can go wrong? First of all, your will could be invalid. It happens more than you think, and these errors are often only discovered after a person’s death. Dozens of rules govern a will, and it can be easy to miss one (or more) of them. It can be devastating for a family to find out they’re back at square one when a will is unenforceable.

Second, the average person doesn’t know how to plan for unique or sensitive circumstances. Most people who create an estate plan wish to avoid probate — do you know how? What if you want to set up a trust for your minor children? It’s a complex process. And if you have a large estate, you probably want to avoid as many taxes as possible. Mistakes can be very costly for your beneficiaries. If you or a family member are considering a DIY job, a fresh coat of paint in your living room is a much safer bet than staking your family’s future on some online forms. Estate planning requires a personal and detailed approach, not a one-size-fits-all solution. It may be hard to swallow your pride and pay the extra money, but you’ll receive priceless peace of mind.

Great Truths

One-Pan Baked Salmon andVeggies Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com

It’s asparagus season! Celebrate with this easy one-pan salmon dish for two.

Ingredients

“Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.” –James Bovard (Civil Libertarian, 1994)

• 1 lb spring potatoes, halved • 2 tbsp olive oil (divided) • 8 asparagus spears, trimmed and halved

• 2 handfuls cherry tomatoes • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar • 2 5-oz salmon fillets • 1 handful fresh basil

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. 2. In an oven-proof dish, combine the potatoes and 1 tbsp olive oil. Roast for 20 minutes. 3. Remove the dish from the oven and add the asparagus. Toss, and bake for 15 more minutes. 4. Remove the dish from the oven and add the cherry tomatoes. Toss. Drizzle with balsamic, then nestle the salmon fillets into the vegetables. Drizzle with the remaining oil, and bake for 10–15 minutes. 5. Remove the dish from the oven, garnish with basil leaves, and serve!

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Eversole Law Firm, P.C. 1509 King Street Beaufort, SC 29902 (843) 379-3333 www.eversolelaw.com

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Disclaimer: The content of this publication has been prepared by Eversole Law Firm, P.C. for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with its readers and may not be used by you, the reader, as legal advice. You are encouraged to consult with us or another attorney about your circumstances to which the information in this document may apply.

What’s Inside

1. How Alysoun Gets Her Creative Juices Flowing 2. 5 Solutions for Quality Sleep

Is Staging Your Home Worth the Cost?

3. The Pitfalls of DIY Estate Plans

One-Pan Baked Salmon and Veggies

4. Strengthen Your Entire Body!

PADDLEYOURWAY TO BETTER HEALTH Big Benefits of Canoeing and Kayaking

The weather is getting warmer, which means you can do more activities in the water. Canoeing or kayaking is an excellent way to get outdoors and be active. Besides looking at the beautiful scenery around you, taking to the water confers several physical and mental health benefits. Physical Benefits • Paddling can help improve your upper-body strength and muscle tone — because you’re using your arms to guide yourself through the water with the paddle. Paddling helps strengthen your arms, shoulders, chest, and back. • You use your legs to balance, maneuver, and change directions in the vessel. In turn, this movement helps strengthen your lower- body muscles . • While trying to stay centered and balanced on the water, you will develop more core strength . Paddling helps work your lower back, abs, and oblique muscles. • It’s a form of cardiac exercise that will help your heart circulate more blood throughout your body. It will also improve your endurance , enabling you to go longer distances faster.

Mental Benefits • While canoeing or kayaking, your body releases serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins from neurotransmitters. This will help boost your mood and self-confidence and improve your focus . • These activities can enhance your memory and learning ability . This is because it exercises your hippocampus, one of the largest portions of your brain that is responsible for verbal memory and learning. • If you have trouble sleeping, this activity can improve your sleep . Exercising during the day can make you naturally tired, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. • Since you’ll be in the sun, your body can produce more vitamin D . This vitamin is essential for strong bones and an effective immune system. Canoeing and kayaking are great outdoor activities to help you get your daily dose of physical activity and a mental health boost. So, enjoy the warm weather and be one with nature — this may be your new favorite summer hobby this year!

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