Hamilton Insurance Group - Quarter 2 2022

Hamilton Insurance Group - Quarter 2 2022

THE SILVER LINING To Your Life & Health

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SHAPING ME INTO THE MAN I AM TODAY

Life Lessons Learned From My Teachers

Teachers

to say that I usually just skimmed through the books and read the Cliffs Notes instead. This teacher was able to get through to me as no other teacher had before. She motivated me to read my first full novel and give my first genuine book report. That book was “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston. I read it cover-to-cover and thoroughly enjoyed it. That book helped open me up to the world of reading since I realized I had cheated myself out of this wonderful hobby. I still enjoy books to this day but am more likely to listen to an audiobook rather than read in the traditional style. After I graduated high school, I went to college at Morehouse College, which is a historically Black, all- male institution. Dr. Harden was my corporate finance professor who also dabbled in real estate. Since I was interested in becoming a real estate developer, we talked a lot. He was also a professor at Georgia State and informed me of a building on that campus that always had jobs posted. When I graduated, my now-wife was graduating from Howard University and got a job in San Diego. I approached Dr. Harden about moving out West and he did some research for me. He informed me that I should go to grad school at the University of San Diego because it would set me up for a successful career in real estate

development. While there, I studied under Dr. Mark Reedy, who helped me get multiple scholarships since I was the youngest person as well as the only African American in the program. Dr. Reedy helped me get my first job as he put me in contact with William Jones, the chairman of the San Francisco Federal Reserve. My philosophy teacher at Morehouse also left a profound impact on me. He was a gay man in the 1990s when there was a lot of misinformation about the gay community. I had the misguided belief that you couldn’t be both gay and masculine. That class flipped that belief upside-down and was incredibly eye-opening for me. It completely changed how I perceived people who were attracted to the same sex and I couldn’t be more thankful for the lessons I learned there. Teachers have the ability to influence and inspire their students in a number of ways. They don’t just teach us content but they help us understand life and how the world operates around us. On May 3, we celebrate National Teacher Day, and it’s the perfect opportunity to share some appreciation

are some of the most influential and inspirational people that we meet throughout our lives. I come from a family of teachers and have a deep appreciation for the profession. My mom is a teacher, my brother-in- law is an administrator and former teacher, my sister is a school counselor, and I have multiple aunts who teach. If there’s one thing that I learned about teachers over the years, it’s that they are grossly undercompensated. I have a difficult time understanding how someone, whose job is to lay the foundation for how the world works, doesn’t get paid more. Oftentimes, students ultimately use what their teachers have shown them to make large amounts of money. Most teachers are willing to go above and beyond for their students. They often have to pay for things in their classrooms out of their own pockets. To put it simply, teachers are not fairly compensated for what they do in our society. There were many teachers that impacted me during my time in school. I had an English teacher in the 10th grade that I’m incredibly thankful for since she helped develop my love for books. I had to write plenty of book reports during my school years. I’m embarrassed

for the teachers in your life. I’m thankful for the teachers who helped

shape me into the person I am today. –Duane Hamilton

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Everyone’s Doing It! Downsizing for the Better

Whether you simply want to eliminate clutter or move to a smaller home now that the kids have moved out, downsizing has increased in popularity in recent years. But, if it’s your turn to downsize, you may find it challenging and unexpectedly emotional. Here are some tips to make the process easier. Start early. This process cannot be rushed and will not be a quick one, so don’t try to squeeze all of the preparation and packing into a few days. This process can take weeks — or even months — and that’s completely normal. You’ll want time set aside to go through everything room by room, one item at a time.

Create ‘keep’ and ‘toss’ piles. When going through your belongings, create a pile for items you want to keep and items you want to either donate, give away, or throw away. While creating a maybe pile may feel worthwhile at the time, it will only end up leaving you with more clutter. Plus, indecision prolongs the process. Get rid of duplicates. You’ve collected a lot over the years. If you have two can openers, five sets of bed sheets, three cookie sheets, and an endless supply of spatulas, it’s time to clear out the duplicates that you don’t need or use. Consider donating everything that’s in good condition — someone surely could make good use of it.

Take time to reminisce. There is fun to be had in sorting through old memories. Allow yourself time to stroll down memory lane. Welcome laughter, smiles, and tears. You can even invite your loved ones over to help and share in the stories as you pack up the items you hold dear. Don’t let decluttering and downsizing be a daunting task; take it one step at a time. Even if you aren’t moving anytime soon, it’s always a good idea to cut down on the amount of clutter you hang on to!

3 Reasons to Return to School Later in Life

of the developments. One of the best ways to stay informed and increase your technological skills is to return to school. While enrolled in a college, you’ll gain access to computers and programs that will help you improve your use of technology. It’s affordable. You may think that you’d never be able to afford to return to college, but you’d be surprised. The University System of Georgia allows seniors over the age of 65 to take classes for credit at any public college tuition-free. That means you can attend Georgia State, the University of Georgia, and many other colleges for free. Georgia Tech’s graduate-level courses are even free for anyone over the age of 62. You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to continue your education. You simply have to apply and enroll.

Keep your brain active and healthy.

It’s no secret that as we get older, our cognitive skills start to decline. Maintaining an intellectually and physically active lifestyle goes a long way toward preserving your cognitive skills, and one of the best ways to stay intellectually active is by returning to school. You’ll be using your mind to problem-solve while also learning new information and skills and ensuring that your brain is still getting its necessary exercise. Stay up to date with new technology. Technology has come a long way over the last few decades. Things that you would have only thought existed in science fiction have made their way into our everyday lives, and it’s important that we keep up with all

If you read our cover article, you may be reminiscing and reflecting about your time in school. Maybe you’re even considering returning to school. It might seem strange returning to a classroom full of young adults, but there’s actually been a growing trend with seniors and older adults attending college courses. If you’ve been thinking about returning to school, there’s never been a better time. Just check out some of the great benefits that seniors and older adults receive by attending college later in life.

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F ree T hings to D o A round A tlanta T his S pring

to hear that the David J. Sencer CDC Museum will be reopening in early May. At this museum, you’ll

learn about the history of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and how they crack the cases of mystery diseases. Explore the great outdoors. Just outside of downtown Atlanta, there are some beautiful places to visit. You can head just east to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area and explore 40,000 acres of trails, creeks, and hills. There’s also the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve that provides three miles of trails across 46 acres. You can walk through the forest and see all kinds of wildlife. They also have a farm museum that’s sure to pique your interest. See beautiful animals. You may think that you’d have to pay for admission to the zoo in order to see some exotic animals, but there’s a nonprofit educational sanctuary for exotic and farm animals in Locust Grove. Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary is home to over 1,500 animals including bears, tigers, monkeys, reptiles, lions, and much more. If you haven’t been, this is a must-see destination.

The spring season is officially upon us. As the weather continues to warm up, more and more people will be leaving their homes and exploring the Atlanta area in search of activities they can enjoy with their entire family. While there are plenty of opportunities to see the Braves play or visit the zoo, not everyone can fit these excursions into their budget. Luckily, there are many fantastic free activities around metro Atlanta that everyone can enjoy. Below you’ll find some of our favorites. Visit a museum. Atlanta is an extremely historic city and has many museums that can educate us about our city and country’s past. The best part about these museums is that they’re free to the public so you just have to find a ride to enjoy them. The Atlanta Monetary Museum should hopefully reopen to the public in May and offers visitors a chance to explore the history of money and banking in America. If the pandemic has sparked your interest in public health, you’ll be pleased

H ealthier , L ighter D eviled E ggs

Hard-boiled eggs are essential for Easter, so why not transform them into a healthy appetizer?

Inspired by LiveEatLearn.com

INGREDIENTS • 6 large eggs

• Optional: Hot sauce, to taste • Optional: Paprika and chives, chopped, for garnish

• 3 tbsp Greek yogurt • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • 1 tsp lemon juice

DIRECTIONS 1. In a large pot, add eggs and cover with water. Put on high heat, and then boil eggs for 10 minutes. 2. Once boiled, peel eggs by gently tapping and removing the shell. (Adding the eggs to an ice bath after boiling can make this task easier.) 3. Cut eggs lengthwise and place yolks into a medium mixing bowl. Set egg white halves open side up on a plate. 4. In a bowl, combine yolks, yogurt, mustard, lemon juice, and hot sauce (if desired) until smooth. 5. Transfer the yolk mixture into the egg white halves. Garnish with paprika and chives if desired.

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1201 Peachtree Street NE Building 400, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30361

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Appreciating Our Teachers on Teachers’ Day How to Make Downsizing Less Painful The Benefits of Returning to College as a Senior Free Things to Do Around Atlanta This Spring Healthier, Lighter Deviled Eggs Welcome Spring With Open Arms

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Have you ever noticed that springtime just feels lighter and brighter? That’s because, believe it or not, the seasons affect us. When spring rolls around, the energy shifts, and it’s up to us to maximize those positive vibes. Let’s examine how we can make the most of spring and inject some color and vibrancy into our lives again after a long winter. Rely on color. Colors have the ability to elicit certain emotions and feelings. Tropical tones and pastels are everywhere in spring — the clear sky, grass, and flowers — so allow them to fill your space and take them with you as constant reminders to smile. If you’re up for it, wear some new colors to brighten up your wardrobe, and don’t forget to take in a sunset when you’re able! Enjoy more hours of daylight. Spring brings more hours of sunlight and warming temperatures that can give you more time to enjoy your morning cup of coffee outside. You can take an early stroll around the block, get in a workout outdoors, or just enjoy the fresh air. Also, many areas observe daylight saving time, which extends sunlight into the evening, so no matter how you choose to spend your extra daylight, make it an adventure. 4 Ways to Harvest Positive Vibes in Spring GET SPRUNG

Welcome spring-cleaning. It isn’t called spring-cleaning for nothing! Decluttering, dusting, reorganizing, and tidying up feels great! It’s empowering and refreshing. There is something special about creating more space in your living space that gets the positivity flowing. Eat fresh, colorful foods. During spring, many delicious fruits and vegetables come into season. Berries, oranges, apples, carrots, avocados, cherries, spinach, and kale are all at their peak. Your local farmers market is a great place to get the freshest produce to fuel your body! Spring is a time for new beginnings and positivity. Make the most of this spring season by welcoming a fresh abundance of love and life.

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