Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton - March 2021

Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton - March 2021

Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton

March 2021

Lessons Learned in 2020: One Year Later

Second, I learned that when asked to adapt, our lawyers and staff remained dedicated, resilient, and deeply committed to their work and to our clients. Whether working from home, jumping from multiple Zoom meetings and depositions, or coming to the office daily as essential personnel, I am so very proud that we quickly adapted to the challenges brought on by the pandemic and that, over these long months, we remained committed to putting our clients first and finding ways to better serve them. Third , while working remotely is probably here to stay for the most part, I learned that we need personal, human interaction to maintain our treasured culture of community and the team approach, which has allowed our practice to thrive for over a century. Simply put, we are not intended to practice law in isolation, and I miss being a part of a law firm family which gathers daily to pursue our calling. Fourth , the good came out in our Hare Wynn family members who faced and overcame adversity, battled the virus, or did not miss a beat when it came to doing their jobs all while steadfastly facing the many hardships of the last 11 months. I have heard it said recently about the COVID-19 crisis that “we are all in the same storm, but not in the same boat.” I look back on this past year with gratitude for what we have, thankful and prayerful that we can lean and depend on God to be with us in the midst of change and challenge. Amen.

Among the many lessons I learned in 2020, the most important might be that during a pandemic, every plan we make is subject to change. There was nothing dependable or predictable about 2020. When it started last March, we saw and planned for a short-term event, thinking life would quickly return to normal. Now, one year later, we are in the middle of the worst infection and death rates we have seen — with 24 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and over 400,000 deaths in this country.

“Despite it all, I have found many 2020 silver linings. This past year re-emphasized that the best part about being alive is people. We need one another. I was happy to see our country confront injustices and begin to have difficult conversations. Kindness matters and love always wins.” – Ashley Peinhardt “Of all the things that 2020 took away from us, it didn’t take away our capacity to love one another and to simply be kind to each other. For me, the past year has highlighted the need for kindness and compassion in our everyday lives.” – Jamie Moncus “I learned the value of getting outside to exercise for mental health. Being cooped up and isolated during the pandemic can wear on people mentally. Getting outside in creation to exercise and hearing the sounds of nature calms my mental state. I also learned that crises provide an opportunity to draw closer to God. I have spent more time in prayer and doing Bible studies.” – Don McKenna

“The most important might be that during a pandemic, every plan we make is subject to change. There was nothing dependable or predictable about 2020.”

With a historic public health disaster, economic crisis, unemployment, and an election nightmare, the first lesson for me was this: To survive when we are physically separated, we must be flexible and capable of adapting to fundamental change in the way we operate our law firm and provide legal services to our clients.

-Leon Ashford, Managing Partner

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And Transform Your Life IMPROVE YOUR ATTENTION SPAN Since the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world last year, many things have grown shorter, like school days and our patience. But perhaps the main thing that’s grown shorter for all of us is our attention spans. workout, and it’s a great way to slowly expand your attention span while accomplishing tasks.

To get started, think of a small task. Then, set a timer to 25 minutes (or longer, if your attention span will allow). Work on your task for 25 minutes straight. Then, take a five-minute break. After the break, repeat the process. After four rounds, take a break of 15–20 minutes. Congratulations, you’ve used the Pomodoro method, which you can repeat as many times as you want. It’s very helpful for completing tasks, despite any attention span issues. Third, meditate, work out, or adopt new educational interests. Anything that keeps your brain, body, and spirit engaged can help you learn how to focus better. There’s plenty of research that shows the benefits of meditation and exercise to your focus — the trick is exploration. Not every form of meditation, exercise routine, or hobby will work for you, so don’t give up right away! Stay curious and keep exploring. We’re living in a technological age where we can learn almost anything and reach almost anyone at the tap of a button, so we have to learn how to create opportunities for ourselves. We hope these tips help you get started!

In 2019, researchers from the Technical University of Denmark reported that our collective attention span is indeed narrowing — and it may be because we’re bombarded with tons of information that we don’t want to “miss out” on, whether we’re scrolling through Facebook or finding new videos on YouTube. Unfortunately, a poor attention span can affect us in many ways. It may impact our performance at school or work or cause communication difficulties in relationships. It may even result in poor health related to self- neglect and an inability to practice healthy habits.

How do you fix it? Is it even possible to improve your attention span? Yes, you can! But it will take time. Here are a few ways you can get started.

First, accept that you may make yourself a little mentally uncomfortable while expanding your attention span. It simply won’t feel natural to focus on a single task for a longer period of time than normal, but, with a routine, it’ll get more comfortable as time goes on. Second, give the Pomodoro method a try. Named after a tomato- shaped timer that its creator used, the Pomodoro method has gained a lot of attention over the years as a brain

A TRIBUTE: RUTH BADER GINSBURG

and fair judgment by the court and that the laws she fought against presented an unjust and medieval view of gender roles. Because of her efforts, people are now treated more equally than they were five decades ago. In 1993, Ginsburg was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton. Her time spent as justice became part of her historic impact on our country, and she tirelessly worked to advance gender equality and civil rights. One of her most notable victories was United States v. Virginia in 1996, in which she ruled that the state could no longer refuse to admit women who qualified to attend the Virginia Military Institute. For her remaining time with the Supreme Court, Ginsburg never wavered in this fight. Through both the 2000s and 2010s, she continued to advocate for women and men who were discriminated against in the court. In 2007, she pushed back against legislation that would have significantly cut the back pay for victims of employment discrimination. Later, in 2014, she dissented on a decision that gave companies the ability to refuse to provide their female employees coverage for birth control in their health care plans.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was 87 when she passed away on Sept. 18, 2020. In her long life, Ginsburg made a huge impact on pop culture, feminism, and law. She was the second female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; became the first female tenured professor at Rutgers University Law School, New York; and was the director for the Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union. However, that wasn’t all. In the 1970s, Ginsburg litigated and won six critical sex- discrimination cases working with the American Civil Liberties Union. In these cases, she argued that every person — man, woman, or otherwise — deserved equal

Though she is gone, what she has done for the country echoes in its people. We will remember her, and so will our history.

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SUDOKU

Brain Injury Awareness Month TBI Prevention

One of the most severe injuries a person can sustain is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). To spread awareness and initiate preventive measures, we are observing Brain Injury Awareness Month, which happens every March. TBIs are something everyone can work to prevent. Here are some tips: Vehicle Safety While driving, be sure that everyone in the car is wearing a seat belt properly. A seat belt should be worn with the clip buckled in and the straps across the lap and chest. For children, a car seat should be used for the seat belt to fit them correctly. If there is even one passenger who cannot wear a seatbelt, they should not be in the vehicle. Proper Headgear Wearing a helmet is an essential part of protecting our heads and brains. Helmets should be worn while doing anything that may result in a head injury, including:

Solution on Page 4

Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com

Green Goddess Smoothie

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Contact sports: football, boxing, or ice hockey Sports with flying objects: baseball or softball

Biking, motorcycling, snowmobiling, scootering, or any all‑terrain vehicles

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Using in-line skates or skateboarding

If you’re looking to get your green on, why not try this light smoothie?

Skiing or snowboarding

Ingredients

•

Riding a horse

• 1 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk • 1 organic apple, peeled and chopped • 1 medium frozen banana • 1 1/2 cups fresh organic spinach • 1 tbsp chia seeds • 1/2 medium avocado

Preventing TBI in Children Children are at higher risks for TBI because of the many activities older children and teens are involved with and the unsteadiness of toddlers. Take steps to keep them safe by encouraging the use of proper headgear and ensuring their play areas are safe. At home, use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs and use window guards to prevent children from falling out of them. While at the playground, make sure there is soft material under the play equipment, such as sand or hardwood mulch.

Directions

1. In a large, high-powered blender, add in all ingredients. 2. Blend on high for 1–2 minutes, or until all ingredients are well combined. 3. If necessary, add in more almond milk to thin the smoothie. 4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

To learn more about TBIs and Brain Injury Awareness Month, visit CDC.gov.

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SOLUTION

Inside

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Lessons Learned in 2020: One Year Later

How to Improve Your Attention Span

A Tribute: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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TBI Prevention

Green Goddess Smoothie

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Make Gardening Better With These 3 Ideas

Do Something Better in the Garden

3 Ways to Improve Your Harvest

gardening requires thoughtful planning, but once your crops are in place, nature will take its course. Plant for Your Health Mass production of your favorite fruits and vegetables reduces their key nutrients. Instead, choose fresh, home-grown varieties to yield greater health benefits. This is good news for those living with heart disease, joint disorders, or other chronic conditions. You can grow a garden chock full of nutrient-rich foods! Colorful fruits, root veggies, onions, and beans are great for joint health, while leafy greens can boost heart health. Grow pumpkins so you can harvest the seeds for better brain function, while berries can support your liver. Before you dig into these new gardening methods, consult with an expert at a nursery or greenhouse to get the best possible results.

experience. Try the silver cucumber for a sweet taste or pineberries for a mix between strawberries and pineapples. You just might find a new flavor you love. Go With the Flow Creating a year-round garden that practically takes care of itself means using principles of permaculture, a philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature. Start by analyzing your space and yard. Determine your soil type and layer mulch or cover crops to protect it. Then, begin planting the same way that’s found in nature — trees grow at the top, shrubs and bushes are below, and other small plants and vines intermingle within. Choose crops that help each other grow (like corn, beans, and squash), and offer aid to your garden without digging up too much soil or disturbing its natural process. Permaculture

There’s something beautiful about cultivating your own harvest, but you can grow more than simple backyard vegetables. Help your garden “grow up” by trying something unique this spring.

Grow Fun Foods We plant gardens for a purpose, so why not make it fun! Plant fresh basil, tomatoes, onions, peppers, oregano, and more to create a garden worthy of your next homemade pizza. All you will need to buy is the crust! Pumpkin plants can offer fresh gourds for any Halloween fanatic,

while new species of fruits and vegetables can create an exciting home‑cooking

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