Littlejohn Law LLC - April 2021

Littlejohn Law LLC - April 2021

WWW.LITTLEJOHNLAWLLC.COM

740-314-4829

04/21

BUILD IT. PROTECT IT. PRESERVE IT.

FAITH AND FEAR

“Faith and fear both require belief in the unknown, so you get to choose.” –Bob Proctor WHICH ONE WILL YOU CHOOSE TO OPERATE ON? Many times in life, when we’re presented with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, we tend to focus on the negative questions: “What if this doesn’t work?” we might ask, or “What if I fail?” Those used to be some of the first questions I would ask myself when pitted against challenges. When I expressed my fears to one of my mentors, he helped me shift my mindset with one simple question: “What if things work out better than you expect?” Oftentimes, the struggles we are pitted against could just as easily turn in our favor as they might lead to more hardship. That’s what Bob Proctor is getting at in the quote above. I think about those words and the words of my mentor almost daily. If I truly don’t know the future, why not default to a mindset of faith rather than a mindset of fear? The battle in my mind between faith and fear plays out every time I sit down with a new client’s case. My team and I have a lot of strategy sessions concerning new cases. We’ll look at all the facts and decide what our best position might be. I always try to have faith that we can succeed in achieving our client’s goals, but it’s not always easy.

I’ve been told by other lawyers and even judges that the facts of the case are against me, and that if I choose to represent a particular client, then I would do so at a disadvantage. However, it’s my faith in my ability as a lawyer that allows me to succeed in those cases. Even when it seems like everything is against me and my client when we step into the courtroom for the hearing, I remain confident that things can turn out better than other lawyers or judges would have us believe. Defaulting to faith, rather than fear, isn’t easy. It didn’t come naturally to me; I had to teach myself to do it. One thing that has helped me is journaling and writing down my goals everyday so that it stays in the forefront of my mind. I would also make a written reminder to myself that I am a child of God, and that as his child, he doesn't want me to live small. He wants me to be Bold, walk with Faith, and Lead others. He’s put me in a position where I can do that daily if I want to, so I try to walk in faith knowing that God has given me the tools to succeed. It’s easy to work hard and have faith when you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. But when you’re at the very opening of that tunnel, with any light fading fast behind you, it’s a lot harder to have faith as you trek forward through the darkness. But the truth is, you don’t always get to see the end of your hardships and challenges when they begin. With faith, however, I think you can make it through.

–Edward Littlejohn

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TAKING CARE OF A LOVED ONE WITH DEMENTIA

A FEW HELPFUL TIPS

When a parent, spouse, or other loved one is diagnosed with dementia, the prospect of caring for them as their mind deteriorates can be terrifying on several different levels. You might wonder just how you’ll care for them as they start to forget the things they’ve always known, such as their address, their job — and the time they spent with you. As difficult as the road ahead might be, however, it is a manageable one. Remembering a few of these tips when caring for a loved one with dementia will help. TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT. Many dementia patients have fragile senses of self-worth. Even though their mental state might make it hard for you to treat them like adults, don’t treat them like children. Include them in conversations about them when they’re in the room, and respect their space and privacy when they want it. REMAIN PATIENT AT ALL TIMES. When dementia patients feel scared, helpless, or confused, they may act out aggressively. They might accuse you of stealing their fine china, or they might believe you’re trying to hurt them when you try to help them take their meds. When these things happen, never respond with aggression. Use your knowledge of the person to understand their feelings and de-escalate the situation. ESTABLISH ROUTINES FOR THEM. When a dementia patient’s memory fades, routines can help them stay calm and feel like they’re in a familiar environment. However, you should also be ready to go with the flow if it means keeping them comfortable — even if that looks like eating breakfast for dinner or wearing Christmas sweaters in April. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, TOO. Taking care of someone with dementia is mentally, physically, and spiritually draining — and you’ll only be able to take care of them if you take good care of yourself. Find time to get some

rest, eat well, exercise, and see a doctor for yourself if necessary. Remember to seek help from friends and family when you can! When it comes to taking care of the legal side of caring for someone with dementia, look no further than Littlejohn Law. Visit our website at LittlejohnLawLLC.com or call 740-314-4829 to learn how we can help you and your loved one.

LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE: GINA’S CARRY OUT FAVORITES

Jeff and Edward love getting lunch from Gina’s Carry Out Favorites located at 4329 Sunset Blvd., Steubenville, OH 43952. Jeff loves the King Combo — which is a meatball and sausage on a hoagie bun. It’s jampacked with cheese and peppers. Edward always gets the King Meatball Combo or the White Pizza. Give them a call at 740-264-6554.

2 | 740-314-4829 This newsletter is for informational purposes only and no legal advice is intended. Be sure to consult with this law firm if you have a specific question about your situation. And remember, Edward and Jeff don’t take any unplanned inbound telephone or in-person meetings. We believe each case deserves our undivided attention.

FEATURED RESOURCE OF THE MONTH

WHAT’S NEWWITH ME AND MY OWN?

I’m amazed at how fast Kyzlee is growing up. She’s even earned her new belt in tae kwon do.

A Strategy Session is the single most valuable “legal work” we do for our clients.

The Strategy Session is a case mastermind where we discuss important issues, and discuss new evidence and how it impacts your case. We also determine the best avenues to help reach your goals.

Nicole putting her son to work cleaning her new office.

Taelor stretching/ meditating while reading the monthly newsletter.

SPRING VEGETABLE AND CHICKEN PASTA BAKE

Inspired by TheSeasonedMom.com

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup cooked chicken, diced • 1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered • 1 cup fresh asparagus pieces • 1/2 cup carrots, grated • 1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta • 1 3/4 cups chicken broth

• 1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped and divided • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided • 2 tsp minced garlic • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Oh, and how

could I forget Kellee’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Kellee. In honor of Kellee’s birthday, I’ll share the picture

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken, artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan. 3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 4. Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender. 5. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining Parmesan, chives, and parsley.

of Courage and

me sleeping.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

352 FRANK LAYMAN BLVD. WINTERSVILLE, OH 43953

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

CHOOSING TO DEFAULT TO FAITH RATHER THAN FEAR

2

TIPS FOR TAKING CARE OF A LOVED ONE WITH DEMENTIA

LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

3

WHAT’S NEWWITH ME AND MY OWN?

FEATURED RESOURCE OF THE MONTH

SPRING VEGETABLE AND CHICKEN PASTA BAKE

4

NEED A NEW SHOW? LET'S MATCH YOU UP!

NEED A NEW SHOW? LET'S MATCH YOU UP!

It is always bittersweet to finish an amazing TV show. Sometimes there’s truly no replacement for a show you genuinely love. While you might enjoy rewatching your favorites for the 50th time, there are so many good shows out there! Here are a few suggestions based on beloved TV classics. IF YOU LOVE ‘THE OFFICE’ ... “The Office” is most acclaimed for its brilliantly written humor, the cleverly awkward dynamic between characters, and the touching romantic development between Jim and Pam. ‘PARKS AND RECREATION’ is a great match in terms of strange office dynamics. It follows the same mockumentary format, and you’ll love the unusual (yet relatable!) situations that this unlikely group of government employees gets themselves into.

relevant comedy writing. The characters are diverse in personality and race, and the show included an adorable romance. However, the writing will definitely stand out to you as the quintessential modern, late- 2010s sitcom style. IF YOU LOVE ‘GAME OF THRONES’ ... Fans of “Game of Thrones” love it for a wide variety of reasons! Some people adore the politics and complex plotline, while others mostly enjoy the fantasy setting and the world’s lore. With its stunningly high production quality, it’s easy to rewatch again and again. ‘WESTWORLD’ could be a perfect match for you if you adore complex plots in an otherworldly setting. Set in a futuristic Western theme park, vacationers can live out their Western fantasies among “hosts,” or robots that look, feel, and possess personalities just like humans. It’s a fascinating world to watch as it goes awry.

‘THE WITCHER’ is also a high-quality watch if you need more medieval fantasy, monsters, and magic in your life. In this world, “witchers” are mutated monster hunters, and the witcher Geralt struggles to find his place “in a world where people are more wicked than beasts.” Has one of these caught your attention? What are some shows you’ve been loving lately? Let us know!

‘BROOKLYN NINE-NINE’ is also a wonderful match because of its incredibly

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