Lyman Firm - September 2020

Lyman Firm - September 2020

What I’ve Learned From Japanese Philosophies Mindfulness and Self-Improvement lymanf irm.com The Lyman Firm Newsletter TELEGRAPH Amicus Curiae www.LymanFirm.com 404-267-1986 February 2019 2860 Piedmont Road, Suite 275, Atlanta, GA 30305 The Truth About Lyman Beginning a Journey Starts with Dedication to Transparency T: 404 267 1986 F: 470 745 0699 The Lyman Firm Newsletter SEPTEMBER 2020

I’ve read a lot of books about the Samurai warriors of precolonial Japan, and if there’s one thing I’ve gathered from those books, it’s this: There is an immense value in Japanese philosophies on mindfulness and self- improvement. September is National Self Improvement Month, so what better time to talk about some of those ideas and how we can apply them to our lives? In a world where people are affected by strife and grief on a daily basis, I think we could use any perspective available to us to help us process and press on stronger than ever before. Take the transformation of the main character of the book “Shōgun” by James Clavell, for example. In this book, English sailor John Blackthorne is marooned in feudal Japan and, after spending time among the Japanese people, adopts a new perspective on life. He sees the importance of mindfulness and of being present in the moment. He learns how to enjoy simple things, like watching a sunrise or the wind dance through the grass. There’s value in focusing on simple pleasures in the here and now. The word kaizen , which is a Japanese idea about slow, incremental self- improvement, could very well describe Blackthorne’s journey. Another story from the Taoist tradition reaches a similar conclusion. The story, which was shared by Philip Seymour Hoffman’s character in the movie “Charlie Wilson’s War,” tells of a farmer whose son falls off a horse while riding and breaks his leg. His neighbors gather to grieve his misfortune, but the farmer is surprisingly nonplussed. He simply responds, “We’ll see,” as in, maybe this was misfortune. A few weeks later, some military officials come by the village, looking for young men to draft into their army. Since the farmer’s son’s leg is broken, they pass him by. Misfortune turned to fortune. This story isn’t necessarily saying that good always comes from bad — just that we can never know for certain how our past will affect our future. We have to find peace in the moment. “This story isn’t necessarily saying that good always comes from bad — just that we can never know for certain how our past will affect our future. We have to find peace in the moment.” G eorgia is a blue-collar state — a grassroots mix of farmland, mountains, and urban development representing ever-expanding opportunities. Being a native of North Atlanta, I have spent most of my life in this fair state, cultivating both my character and my profession as I grew up. Now, I have a distinct opportunity to help those around me in ways I hadn’t anticipated in my younger days. I lead The Lyman Firm as a proud curator of justice for the everyday person, somebody who might not have gotten a fair shake before they met me. I believe one person can be the face of a greater movement, and these are the everyday people — the heroes — I work for as I drive our cases forward to the fullest extent within our legal system, fighting for what’s right. My passions weren’t always for courtroom thrills, though. Growing up in Smyrna, I sought to chase a different kind of rush: the roar of the racetrack. I wasn’t half bad either, eventually taking my hobby for auto racing from amateur status in 2004 all the way to semi-pro in 2007. Unfortunately, like so many other things that went down along with the economy the following year, my racing career crashed in 2008. Shattered by the abrupt end to my racing journey due to a lack of financing, “I believe one person can be the face of a greater movement, and these are the everyday people — the heroes — I work for as I drive our cases forward to the fullest extent within our legal system, fighting for what’s right.”

James and three-year-old daughter Cleo — I am fully immersed in the fun-loving, homely, and exciting life of my family. They are my foundation, and without them nothing would be possible. But I also have a second family of sorts in my clients, whom I treat with the respect and attention a person is owed whenever they find they’re backed in a corner and need help. The pleasure I get from representing good, honest people in the courtroom is unrivaled when compared to the other fields of profession I’ve engaged in life. Oftentimes, I ask a client to share the names of the attorneys they’ve worked with on other cases. Almost none of them are able to muster an answer — the names of their lawyers completely lost in the tides of life’s trials.

I began to look for a new avenue to pour my passions into.

As we grow older and further away from our teens and 20s, we begin to realize that life isn’t always about going fast, both literally and metaphorically. It was during my post racing downtime that I realized I wanted to go back to school at Georgia State. After spending years as a writer and editor, I discovered and followed my newfound calling and began practicing law after graduating from law school. After years of unparalleled grit, drive, and success in the field of law, I was fortunate enough to be able to open my own practice in January of 2018. This new venture has even allowed me to work alongside my brother, a paralegal and case manager, in what has been one of the most exciting periods of my life. For now, our plans for the future include an imminent expansion of the firm and growing the company in ways that still allow us to keep our fundamental values and operations in ch ck.

We can’t let our past problems affect our future. That’s been my takeaway from these philosophical ideas. We should absolutely learn from our mistakes, but we can’t let them define us. That’s why, to a certain extent, I’ve found that it’s best to handle each challenging situation as if it’s the first time I’m going through it. This is sometimes called “Beginner’s Mind.”When I do that, I don’t focus on how hard it was to make it through similar challenges in the past — only on the facts and circumstances of the present situation. I’ve found that I’m able to be more empathetic with clients when I do this. Existing solely in the present moment is, I think, one of the best practices we could all try at some point. When I think of the times I’ve been rude or a jerk to someone, it’s usually because I was coming from a place of anxiety or insecurity that had built up from past experiences. If I hadn’t let those past experiences affect me in the moment, I may have reacted more calmly or more pleasantly. That’s when I tell them that there are a million different lawyers out there doing a million different things, but when I take on your case for a serious injury or a wrongful death suit, you’ll remember me as a man who gave you the best possible chance while shooting you straight every step of the way. As we make our way through National Self Improvement Month, I hope I can improve my ability to exist in the moment, and I hope all of you can find some value in this concept as well.

At home with my wife Lindsay beside me, and our two children — our five-year-old son

-Thomas J. Lyman -Thomas J. Lyman

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WHAT IS AGE BUT A NUMBER? A Dutch Man’s Quest to Change His Legal Age

In 2018, Dutch native Emile Ratelband was 69 years old. The thing was that the motivational speaker and founder of the Ratelband Research Institute didn’t want to be 69. So, he went to a Dutch court and petitioned for the right to change his legal age. His intention was to change the year of birth on his birth certificate — bumping it up by 20 years. As a result, all records would show him as 49.

that came with being 69. Ratelband even went as far as to say he would be willing to delay his pension benefits another 20 years if need be.

In an interview with Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Ratelband said, “When I’m 69, I am limited. If I’m 49, then I can buy a new house, drive a different car. I can take up more work. When I’m on Tinder and it says I’m 69, I don’t get an answer. When I’m 49, with the face I have, I will be in a luxurious position.” Interestingly enough, Ratelband’s request wasn’t dismissed outright by the court. The judge foundmerit in the argument and said that people desire to change things about themselves all the time, adding that maybe age was one of those things we should consider —“maybe”being the operative word. The court ultimately decided that “Ratelband is at liberty to feel 20 years younger than his real age and to act accordingly.” But the judge added that changing his legal documents would have “undesirable legal and societal implications.”The court added “[T]here are a variety of rights and duties related to age, such as the right to vote and the duty to attend school. If Mr. Ratelband’s request was allowed, those age requirements would become meaningless.” Today, Ratelband is 71 and continues his battle to change his age. While he may have lost in his initial quest to legally change his age, according to NPR, he intends to appeal the decision.

Why did Ratelband want to change his age?

He told the court he didn’t feel like a man who was going on 70. He said he felt good — he felt like a man 20 years younger. He even said his doctors agreed and that they’d told him he had the body of someone younger. But there was another major reason Ratelband wanted to change his age. He said doing so would increase his overall happiness and would be helpful on dating apps. He would no longer have to deal with the ageism

Is Stress Harming Your Memory? How to Cope With Daily Triggers

Stress can cause more than just a bad mood and low energy. Over time, mental exhaustion from stress can lead to forgetfulness and reduced cognition. This can hamper your ability to do your job and enjoy life. Though stress is unavoidable, there are steps you can take to mitigate some of the negative effects of mental exhaustion, including forgetfulness. First, consider the source of your stress. These days, a common stressor is social media. If your feeds are full of bad news and negativity, shut them down. Many researchers suggest that spending less time on the internet leads to better health. Several studies have found that constant internet use, including time spent on social media, is negatively impacting our memories. Research from Harvard, Oxford, King’s College London, andWestern Sydney University all confirm this: Too much internet use is a bad thing. Of course, it can be easier to delete a social media app than it is to eliminate other types of stressors. Coping with a stressful coworker, for example, can be difficult. You have to figure out why they’re causing you stress and how the situation can be remedied. Dealing with a work-related confrontation can be hard, but having that difficult conversation and resolving the problem can ultimately lead to less long-term stress and improve your mental health.

overworked. Plus, studies have found that multitasking is not effective. You cannot deliver the same results when your attention is scattered as you can when you are focused on one thing. To make matters worse, multitasking takes a major toll on memory and cognition, according to a study from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. If stress is impairing your memory, judgment, or cognition, take the above steps to reduce it. If you find your memory and cognition aren’t improving, consider speaking with a mental health professional to discuss your best next steps. Mental health and stress management are important, and the more we do to improve these areas of our lives, the healthier and happier we will be.

Another thing you can do to reduce stress is avoid multitasking. Taking on multiple projects or doing too much in too little time can leave you feeling

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TAKE A BREAK

For centuries, Europeans used the Julian calendar, created by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. It was based on the solar calendar, so most of Europe thought it was the most accurate calendar. However, over the centuries, dates had “drifted,” and many important days, like Easter and the spring equinox, were no longer falling on the dates they were supposed to. To compensate, the new Gregorian calendar was developed and put to use by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It helped put things back in order and eliminated the extra day every 128 years. However, not everyone adopted the Gregorian calendar right away, such as the British. That meant that Europeans were using two diverging calendars for over 200 years. Talk about confusing! People realized that as the world started to expand and as countries became more connected, having a single calendar system was critical. Finally, the British chose the year 1752 to make the change. But, in order to make it work, they had to “jump” forward. For instance, 1751 could only be 10 months long — starting with March and ending with Dec. 31, 1751. But even that adjustment didn’t quite bring the English up to speed in time to make the shift. They also had to cut 11 days from 1752. The unlucky dates that were cut were Sept. 2–14, 1752. The people were not happy. English historians found research that British citizens chanted “Give us our 11 days!” in the streets. The phrase became so popular that some politicians even campaigned with that as their slogan. Several other historical accounts state that many people were worried that by cutting the calendar, their own lives would be cut 11 days shorter. There was a lot of confusion and chaos, but over time, dates fell where they were supposed to, and everyone lived their full lives, those 11 days included. 11 DAYS DELETED FROM HISTORY How the British Changed Their Calendar System and Caused Chaos

DIY DOG-FRIENDLY DOUGHNUTS

Want to show your dog that they’re a very good boy or girl? Try this recipe for a tasty treat your dog will go nuts for!

Inspired by SunnyDayFamily.com

Ingredients

For doughnuts • 1 cup flour • 1 cup oats •

For topping •

Greek yogurt

• Bacon bits Special equipment • Doughnut pan

1/3 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup xylitol-free peanut butter

•

•

2 eggs

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Lightly spray doughnut pan with cooking spray and set aside. 2. In a large bowl, combine all doughnut ingredients and mix well. 3. Transfer dough to doughnut pan. Use your hands to tightly pack each mold. 4. Bake doughnuts for 14 minutes. Carefully remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. 5. To decorate your doughnut treats, place Greek yogurt in a small, wide bowl. Dip each doughnut in yogurt and sprinkle with bacon bits. 6. Place decorated doughnuts in the freezer for 10 minutes for the yogurt to harden. Serve straight from the freezer to your hungry dogs.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE INSIDE

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My Life in the Courtroom, the Home, and the Racetrack Learning Mindfulness and Self-Improvement 3 Wild Divorce Settlements Ways to Invest in Yourself After Retirement Bistecca Alla Fiorentina The Most Iconic Super Bowl in NFL History When You Give a Dog a Doughnut How 11 Days Were Deleted From History Should You Be Able to Change Your Legal Age? Is Stress Making You Forgetful?

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Let’s Retire These Health Myths

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Did You Know Lucille Ball Saved ‘Star Trek’?

The 5-Second Rule Will Make You Sick 3 Health Myths You Probably Believe BEAM ME UP, LUCY How Lucille Ball Sav d ‘Star Trek’ in the 1960s

We live in the golden age of information. The answers tomany of life’s questions are just an internet search away. Despite this readily available wisdom, we still have a bad habit of believing health-relatedmyths. Here are three popular health“facts” that are total works of fiction. In fact, Desilu, co-founded by Ball and her then-husband, Desi Arnaz, was responsible for hits like “The Andy Griffith Show” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” The two were partners in the company until their divorce in 1960, and in 1962, Ball took over Arnaz’s share. THE 5-SECOND RULE KEEPS FOOD SAFE Obviously germs and bacteria don’t really wait five seconds to pounce, but snatching your chip off the floor fast keeps most of the germs away, right? Not according to a 2006 study published by Dr. Paul Dawson. He found conclusive evidence that when food comes into contact with a contaminated surface, bacteria are transferred immediately. Even one second spent In that moment, Ball became one of the most powerful women in Hollywood, and Desilu, one of the biggest independent production companies at the time, had a lot of pull in the industry. In 1963, one of Desilu’s on tile, wood, or carpet is enough to infest your food with salmonella or another serious contaminant. biggest hits was coming to an end. “The Untouchables”was a crime drama starring Robert Stack. Ball needed a replacement, Did You know that Lucille Ball — the iconic comedian best known for her 1950s show“I Love Lucy”— is the reason “Star Trek” exists today? Ball was a Hollywood force in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and she produced hit after hit with her production company.

BOTTLEDWATER IS SAFER THAN TAP WATER and two potential shows hit Ball’s desk: “Star Trek” and “Mission: Impossible.” In 1965, Ball took the pitches to her longtime network collaborator, CBS. They said no to “Star Trek” (but yes to “Mission: Seeking out safer water alternatives increases the sales of bottled “spring water” each year. However, bottled water is more expensive, bad for the environment, and, as Dr. Morton Tavel of the Indiana University School of Medicine pointed out, over 50 percent of bottled water is just filtered tap water. The same effect can be achieved with a home filtration system. Of course, if the tap water in your area has been contaminated, bottled water is a safer alternative. However, in most circumstances, bottled water is no healthier than tap water. The pilot starred Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Pike and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. There was no James T. Kirk to be found — not yet, anyway. The pilot, titled “The Cage,”was a disappointment. NBC executives weren’t about to put it on air, but they decided to order a second pilot after Ball agreed to help finance it. CRACKING YOUR KNUCKLES CAUSES ARTHRITIS The connection between knuckle-cracking and arthritis came from studies where participants self-reported their habits. Modern medical research has shown these results to be false. The second pilot starredWilliam Shatner as Captain Kirk, and he was joined again by Leonard Nimoy as Spock. NBC executives Impossible”), but Ball wasn’t about to give up on this new science fiction show, so she took it to NBC. The network was skeptical at first but ordered a pilot.

The official stance from the John Hopkins Arthritis Center states, “There is no evidence that cracking knuckles causes any damage such as arthritis in the joints.” Still, chronic knuckle- cracking can lead to reduced grip strength, so you might want to break the habit anyway. You’ve probably heard these myths for years, but just because something is common knowledge doesn’t mean it is true. With liked what they saw. The new pilot, titled “Where No Man Has Gone Before,”was put on NBC’s fall schedule, though it wasn’t the first episode aired on NBC. That honor went to the episode titled “The Man Trap,”which aired on Sept. 8, 1966. information so easily available, always take the time to research the facts, especially when it comes to your health. While Gene Roddenberry’s original “Star Trek” only lasted three seasons, it went on to become a major TV and film franchise. One of its recent iterations, “Star Trek: Discovery,” is about to enter its third season on the streaming service CBS All Access — all because Lucille Ball saw potential in a little show back in 1965.

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