Field Law Firm - February 2022

Field Law Firm - February 2022

Notes From The Field

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February 2022

The State of Your Heart

February is the month of hearts, chocolate, and dozens of roses given to the ones we love. We spend weeks (or sometimes months) preparing heartfelt expressions to be poignantly delivered on the upcoming day of romance. Being surrounded by cartoon hearts at the grocery store got me thinking about the ways in which we have commodified love. So often, we cheapen love to something that can be bought or sold at a drug store instead of remembering that love is the force that fills our lives with meaning. During this thought process, I was reminded of the simple question my family often asks each other when checking in: How is your heart? It’s no secret that last year was filled with ongoing uncertainty and loss for so many of us. In times like these, I have discovered that we as humans like to suppress our emotions and the experiences of our hearts just to make it through the days. Honestly, I get it. There is something tempting about disconnecting from the painful experiences we have and turn ourselves into productive machines. We use things like work, hobbies, or television as distractions in an effort to numb what we’re feeling and prove to ourselves we’re doing just fine. The problem with this plan is it requires us to never take a moment to rest for fear of having our pain catch up with us. We find ourselves unable to take a break and work ourselves until there is nothing left but the threads of what was once a beautiful tapestry. This February, I want to offer you two pieces of advice.

First, I encourage you to take time to pause and reflect. If the last year of your life has been filled with strife and heartache, give yourself time to mourn what was lost or simply feel the sadness creeping up in you. By creating this much-needed space for your weary heart, you will give yourself a chance to catch a breath and experience the love your community has to offer. I know for many, grief is a terrifying emotion, yet know that it is merely a sign of love persisting. For some of you, the last year may have been one of the best you’ve ever experienced. If that is the case, I hope you will take time to reflect on the joys in your life. The good moments seem to pass us by in the blink of an eye, and it is worth your while to appreciate the joy and beauty you have found. My second piece of advice is to follow your heart. A few months ago, I wrote an article about this very topic, and I want to remind you of it once more. Though it is easy to doubt the inclinations of your heart, it is not foolish to live your life boldly. I assure you: Your life will be deeply enriched when you have the courage to follow your heart. This February, as you are surrounded by plastic hearts and CVS teddy bears, I hope you spend time reconnecting with your own heart and celebrating the love that surrounds you.

I assure you: Your life will be deeply enriched when you have the courage to follow your heart.”

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BRAIN GAMES

In honor of Valentine’s Day this month, my youngest son Caleb shared a few jokes with me that I think will give you a great laugh!

SOLUTION

First up, who always has a date on Valentine’s Day?

That’s easy, a Calendar .

Why would Forrest Gump be a good Valentine?

Well, he’d probably gift a box of chocolates .

Celebrating Washington, Lincoln, and the Importance of a Legacy

This month we celebrate Presidents’ Day to honor the birthdays of two of our greatest presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. In light of this holiday, I would like to share with you some important history about this day and the two men we commemorate. First up, Presidents’ Day has been celebrated in many forms for most of our country’s history. It initially began as a celebration of George Washington’s life on Feb. 22, 1800, the first of his birthdays since his death in 1799. He was and is one of the most important men in American history. Because of his great impact, the citizens of the United States felt it necessary to pay tribute to him and cherish the legacy he left behind. His birthday was celebrated for most of the 1800s, being made a federal holiday officially in the 1870s. Interestingly enough, this was the first nationally recognized holiday that commemorated the life of an individual American.

holiday was also changed to include Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday was Feb. 12. This change was spurred on by the fact that Lincoln’s birthday had been celebrated for many years as a state holiday in places like Illinois, where he served as a lawyer and a representative in the House.

As you celebrate this Presidents’ Day, take time to reflect on the legacies these great men left. Though few will ever attain the

renown of either Washington or Lincoln, each of us is capable of leaving a legacy equally meaningful to the

people who know and love us. Take time to consider the stories of those who came before you as well as the story you are crafting with your own life.

Change came about in the 1960s when Congress decided to shift many holidays from set dates to fixed Mondays. The title of the

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TAKE A BREAK

Roses, chocolate, and fancy restaurants are Valentine’s Day staples for a reason. They’re classic and timeless, but if you’ve done them year after year, they could also get a little bit boring. To wow your significant other this Feb. 14, think beyond the most famous ways to celebrate. They’ll probably appreciate a twist — and the time you spent making their day special. Get Creative This Valentine’s Day NOT ANOTHER CANDLELIT DINNER

Create a relationship scrapbook. Nothing says “I love you” like a gift you’ve made with your own hands. By making a scrapbook of your favorite memories with your partner, you’ll

This succulent chicken stuffed with cheese, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes is impressive on the plate but easy in the kitchen! MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST

also amaze them with your sensitivity and dedication. A scrapbook can consist of photographs, restaurant menus, movie tickets, wedding invitations,

vacation souvenirs, and some carefully chosen words about why you value the relationship. Don’t be afraid to get inventive with your decorations or scour the internet for tips and tricks. Go stargazing. What’s more romantic than staring up at the stars? Your first step will be to find a local spot that’s dark and secluded enough for a good view of the nighttime sky. Once you do, your next course of action will depend on the weather. If it’s temperate, get a picnic blanket and enjoy the outdoors. If it’s cold, stay in the car, turn off the headlights, and snuggle up. Don’t forget to bring wine and a romantic snack. If all goes well, you might end up watching the sunrise. Schedule a couples’ spa day. Forget what you think you know: Spa days are for everyone. Your other half will love the opportunity to experience a massage, sauna, and other assorted treatments. Plus, many spas offer romantic couples’ packages with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Once you’re both sufficiently relaxed and looking your best, you’ll likely feel closer than ever. Some spas also offer overnight stays so you can transition seamlessly into a romantic evening. All of these ideas will take a little bit of planning, so it’s time to start dreaming up your big surprise. When you see their reaction, your only concern will be how to top yourself next year.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts • 2 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed • 2 canned artichoke hearts, chopped • 4 tsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

• 10 large basil leaves, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 tsp curry powder • 1/2 tsp paprika • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 365 F. 2. Cut a slit lengthwise to create a pocket in the middle of each chicken breast. Place the breasts on a baking sheet. 3. In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, basil, and garlic. 4. Divide the mixture in half and stuff each chicken breast pocket. Using toothpicks, seal the edges of the pockets. 5. Season the chicken with curry, paprika, salt, and pepper, then bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 F. 6. Remove the toothpicks and serve with rice, potatoes, salad, or roasted vegetables!

Inspired by DiabetesStrong.com

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

The State of Your Heart

Caleb’s Corner The Importance of a Legacy

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast Creative Valentine’s Day Ideas

Clean Hydrogen Explained

Is Clean Hydrogen the Energy of the Future? What You Need to Know

The European Union has made substantial investments in clean hydrogen as a renewable energy source, hoping it can help reduce carbon emissions. With the infrastructure bill Congress passed in November, the U.S. is also looking to invest in new energy sources, including clean hydrogen. But what is clean hydrogen, and why has so much hope been placed on it? Hydrogen is already used today as an energy source, and while the hydrogen itself is clean, the process used to make it is not. The energy industry describes hydrogen using a color-coded system — hydrogen created with steam methane is gray, and hydrogen produced with fossil fuels is brown. Neither is considered clean energy.

hydrogen is produced with methane, but the carbon is captured instead of released into the environment. Detractors argue that blue hydrogen is not more environmentally friendly than other existing technologies and point to its high costs. Proponents, however, consider it a stepping stone to the cleanest form of hydrogen. Green hydrogen comes from electrolysis, a process that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen. For the hydrogen to be green, the electricity used to create it must come from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydropower. The process almost completely eliminates emissions, and it’s the form of energy the EU is investing in the most. One day, it may even power cars. But clean hydrogen has its detractors. Some environmental activists argue that we need to move away from gas power

entirely and use less electricity overall. In the case of blue hydrogen, they also say that simply capturing the carbon is not enough to ward off climate change. Energy experts who otherwise support clean hydrogen also point out that it’s currently much more expensive than fossil fuel production. The U.S. has launched a plan to bring the cost of green hydrogen down significantly by 2030, but its use currently accounts for less than 1% of total annual hydrogen production worldwide. Before clean hydrogen can be a viable energy alternative, governments and industries need to deploy significant resources to develop infrastructure, expand production, and drive down costs. Whether clean hydrogen will be a major future energy source depends on how much the world is willing to invest in it.

Whether or not blue hydrogen is “clean” will depend on whom you ask. Blue

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