GA Injury Advocates - December 2019

GA Injury Advocates - December 2019

Auto Injury T R I B U N E

December 2019

Focus, Meaning, and Action in December CHOOSE JOY

H umans are very unique. We can imagine, we can reason, and, most importantly, we can choose. We can change literally anything in our lives, all because we have the power of choice. This time of year, I think a lot of people forget about their power of choice. The increase in stress that comes with the holidays compounds with depression that comes with the dreary weather, which means that while this should be a merry and bright season, a lot of people struggle with negativity. If you’re stressed or depressed, remember that you have the power of choice. You can make the decision to change your outlook. Every choice we make is made of three parts: focus, meaning , and action . When you make a choice, you first decide what you’re going to focus on. If you only focus on everything bad that’s going on in your life, you’re going to feel horrible. If you shift your focus to the great things, your whole mindset shifts. Your focus is your goal; it’s the thing that motivates you. After you find your focus, you need to give it meaning . Make it positive, something to fight for. Back in 2008, when the economy was at its worst, I heard a lot of people fretting about how they were going to go out of business. But I also heard a few people say, “Okay, the economy is bad, so we need

“It’s not easy, but it’s always worth making that decision for yourself.”

different does not magically make it so. There are often obstacles in the way. We can’t just snap our fingers and say, “I’m going to be happy now” or “I’m going to lose weight.” That’s not how it works. Sometimes we need extra help. But we can make the choice to do things that will improve our lives for the better. A very good friend of mine, Kelly, was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo a double mastectomy. It was a tough time, and I know she’s still going through the hard stuff. She’s on the road to recovery, but she’s not out of the woods yet. Faced with this bad news, Kelly could have easily thrown in the towel, but she didn’t. She chose to keep fighting every day. Kelly focuses on the positive, holds onto her meaning that this is a hurdle she must overcome, and does what she needs to do to get better. Thanks to her choice, my wife and I still get to spend time with one of our best friends. If December has you feeling down, remember your power of choice. Focus on what brings you joy, give a new meaning to your situation, and take action to make your choice a reality. It’s not easy, but it’s always worth making that decision for yourself.

to up our game. We’ll work harder so when everyone else is declaring bankruptcy, we’re ready to dominate the space.” They made the choice to turn the economic downturn into a reason to improve. Finding meaning in uncertainty worked out for them much better than those who’d already given up. Here’s the final and most important step. Choice means nothing without action . Choosing for something in our lives to be

–Ramiro Rodriguez, Jr.

El Abogado Ramiro (El Abogado Amigo) y su equipo hablan español

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TURN ON YOUR BAT-SIGNAL

HOLISTIC HEALTH PRODUCTS FOR ALL

Holistic wellness is sometimes seen as an inaccessible form of care. Holistic treatments and products can be hard to find, but access to them should never be restricted based on location, demographics, or affluence. Thankfully, this problem is becoming less relevant as more stores begin stocking holistic products. Holistic health products, which were often reserved for expensive online shopping or limited boutique releases in the past, are becoming more accessible as drugstores and big-box stores around the country jump on the holistic health train. Chains like Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Target have started stocking their shelves with notable holistic staples, especially those related to digestive and immune health. You can even find cleaner beauty and cosmetic products from brands like Burt’s Bees and Tom’s of Maine in many of these stores. Safer baby products, like cough syrup made with all-natural ingredients and diapers from brands like The Honest Company, are being placed in the eyesight of more people everywhere. With this shift in availability, customers have more options than ever before when shopping for holistic care. These stores have an incredible opportunity to bring alternative wellness to areas that haven’t experienced it. Citizens in small, rural, or distressed communities where specialty stores and holistic medical practices are scarce can now explore more options. And if more options at reasonable prices result in healthier and happier people, then that’s great for us

IT’S TIME FOR ‘BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES’

2019 marks the 27th anniversary of “Batman: The Animated Series.” But just because it was released in the early ‘90s doesn’t mean it fails to relate to kids and adults alike today. Here are just a few reasons why it has stood the test of time and gained such a cult following in the last three decades. An All-Star Cast Some of pop culture’s favorite actors were the voices behind some of the show’s most iconic characters. Most notably, the frantic voice behind the Joker is Mark Hamill, who is best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars.” Diana Muldaur, a three-time Emmy nominated actor, made regular appearances as Dr. Leslie Thompkins in the show. Paul Williams, known for his composition work on the original “A Star Is Born” film, also made guest appearances as the Penguin. Additionally, the late and great Adam West makes a cameo as the Gray Ghost. Your kids may not know all of these names now, but once they fall in love with “Batman,” they surely will! Strong Female Characters One of the problems with superhero-themed TV and animated series at the time is that the stars of the shows were usually men. And if there were any women in those shows, they usually played the role of damsel in distress or trophy wife. In the early ‘90s, “Batman” stood out from the norm by creating women characters who had far more depth. For example, Harley Quinn was created specifically for this show. Throughout the series, Quinn goes from being the Joker’s henchman to adventuring with Poison Ivy and adjusting to civilian life after being a villain. In addition, Catwoman isn’t just a beautiful villain in the show; she’s also an animal rights activist and millionaire. The Right Amount of Levity While recent adaptations of “Batman” are dark and melancholic, the animated series is far tamer. Every episode grapples with moral conflicts, but there isn’t the level of depravity showcased in recent adaptations of “Batman.” It’s also appropriate for kids, making it a great show to introduce them to the “Batman” franchise. From the deco noir backdrop to Superman cameos, there are plenty more reasons why this show has so much acclaim. To find more reasons and hear Mark Hamill provide a classic Joker laugh, watch the show with your little caped crusader on DCuniverse.com or YouTube!

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Avoid a Christmas Tree Home Fire Disaster This Season

Dazzling lights are some of the most magical sights to see this holiday season, but they can also be dangerous. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), your Christmas tree’s twinkling lights may be a fire hazard. While Christmas tree fires are rare, the NFPA warns that these fires are more likely to be serious. Keep your home safe this holiday season with these tips. Choosing the right Christmas tree is about so much more than the aesthetic. You also need a tree that won’t be a hostile breeding ground for flames. NFPA advises homeowners to choose a tree that is fresh and doesn’t lose its needles when touched. Cut 2 inches off the trunk, and replenish the base of the tree stand with water each day. Don’t block potential fire exits with the tree, and keep it at least 3 feet from heat sources, such as open flames and heaters. Prepping Your Tree

either be jolly or dangerous. The NFPA finds that 1 in 4 Christmas tree home fires is caused by electrical problems, and another 1 in 4 is caused by a heat source’s proximity to the tree. Only use lights that are designed and tested for indoor use, and regularly replace broken or old lights. Finally, always turn off Christmas lights when you go to bed or leave your house. ( Pro tip: An outlet with a timer can ensure you never forget to unplug the lights!) When the holiday magic wears off, it’s important to not put off discarding your tree. No matter how much you water it, your tree will begin to dry out. A dried tree is like kindling in your home. Discard your tree shortly after Christmas, and do not store it in your garage or shed. Instead, check with your municipality about the proper way to throw it out. Inquire about Marietta’s tree pick-up schedule by calling (770) 794-5150. Don’t let a holiday mishap ruin your celebrations. Visit NFPA.org to learn more about holiday fire safety. Discarding Your Tree

STAY MERRY AND BRIGHT

Decking Your Tree

Whether you string dozens of strands of popcorn across your tree or revel in your novelty ornaments, your tree’s decor can

RECIPE:

CLASSIC ROAST CHICKEN

SUDOKU

Ingredients:

• • • • • • •

1 chicken, approx. 5–6 lbs

Kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper

1 large bunch fresh thyme, 20 sprigs removed

• • •

1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced

1 lemon, halved

4 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces

1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Olive oil

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Rinse chicken inside and out, removing giblets if included. Move to a work surface, pat dry, and liberally season with salt and pepper. Stuff cavity with thyme bunch, lemon halves, and garlic head. Brush outside with butter, and then season again. Tie chicken legs together with kitchen string.

3. Meanwhile, in a roasting pan, toss onions and carrots in olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and 20 sprigs of thyme. 4. Place the chicken on the vegetables and roast for 1 1/2 hours. 5. Remove from oven, and let stand for 20 minutes covered with foil. 6. Slice and serve with the vegetables. Inspired by Ina Garten

Solution on Page 4

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Sudoku solution

Inside

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Our Power of Choice Batman Goes Retro The Rise of Holistic Products in Big-Brand Stores Christmas Tree Safety Classic Roast Chicken 2 Hours to North Carolina

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I-85 follows the I-85 interstate. This route would serve up to 5.3 million passengers annually and would make the trip from Atlanta to Charlotte in

Last month, the science fiction film “Blade Runner” officially became set in the past. The cult classic, released in 1982, is set in November 2019, and it now joins the list of many sci-fi stories to be formerly set in the future. As we catch up to each cinematic future, it’s hard not to be a little disappointed. Where are the flying cars promised in “Back to the Future II” or the deep-space rockets of “2001: A Space Odyssey”? Our smartphones might outshine anything in “Star Trek,” but when it comes to transportation, we’re still stuck in traffic. However, a possible project could propel transportation in the Southeast into the future. But it comes with a hefty price tag. The Atlanta to Charlotte Passenger Rail Corridor is a massive project that would create a high-speed rail line between the two cities with various stops along the way. At the moment, there are three possible corridor routes being proposed by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). Southern Crescent follows the Norfolk Southern railroad. This route would serve 1.2 million passengers annually and would travel from Atlanta

two hours and 50 minutes. Estimated cost: $15.4 billion

Greenfield would run south of I-85. The Greenfield corridor is predicted to be the fastest route, making the trip in two hours and six minutes. This corridor would also serve the most people at around 6.3 million passengers per year by 2050. Estimated cost: $6.2–$8.4 billion Supporters of the project claim a passenger rail between Atlanta and Charlotte would create jobs, reduce air pollution, improve transportation, and bring economic growth to the region. Opponents point to the cost of such a project. At this time, there’s no official plan for the passenger rail to move forward. GDOT took public comments from September–November 2019 and is preparing a final study to select a preferred corridor. We’ll be keeping an eye on this project. Whatever happens will certainly shape the future of Atlanta.

Charlotte or Bust?

to Charlotte in 5 1/2 hours. Estimated cost: $2.3 billion

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