Mediation Advantage April 2018

Mediation Advantage April 2018

APR 2018

(508) 795-1557 | www.mediationadvantage com LIFE IN BALANCE

I’ve been on a journey to embrace Hill’s message. For me, that meant embarking on a wellness journey. With my daughter’s guidance, I finished a seven-day wellness challenge. I didn’t eat meat, dairy, sugar, or processed foods for seven days. Jazmine and I went to the new Whole Foods to buy organic fruits and vegetables. We ate stir fries, salads, and other vegetable- centered, lean-protein meals. I lost five pounds and felt lighter mentally and physically.

“I have a clearer mind and better sense of what it means to eat to live, instead of living to eat.”

Am I going to be a vegan for the rest of my life? No. I’m still going to eat meat. But I felt good after the challenge, and it helped me realize I don’t have to have meat with every meal. I’m subscribing to the mentality of everything in moderation, so 80 percent of the time, I’ll eat very healthy meals, and 20 percent of the time, I can have reward meals. That’s the strategy. I have a clearer mind and better sense of what it means to eat to live, instead of living to eat. I realized I can go to dinner or drinks with friends and still stick to healthy foods. You can make better choices for your health and still have a social life. When I met up with friends for a drink, I asked for club soda in a martini glass. No one noticed or cared that I wasn’t drinking a martini, and I felt good about sticking to my goals. Seven days may not sound like a lot, but it’s about making small steps that lead to positive changes. When I think about making those changes for life, it’s overwhelming. I can’t commit to no meat for life. Seven days helped shift my mindset to help me remember that, instead of missing out on tasty foods, I was making progress toward the changes I want to see. I’m looking at my overall health benefits by taking them one step at a time. In the long term, these steps will help keep my mind clear and my waistline where I want it to be. If you have a chance, I highly recommend giving “Think and Grow Rich” a read. There’s a new annotated version that has additional resources and an introduction. Don’t just take my word for it — go give it a read. –Polly Tatum

I’m a lifelong reader, but I don’t read as much as I should anymore. When I was a kid, I found myself swept away by the world depicted in C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia.” It was so enjoyable to lose myself in a book. It’s one of the biggest benefits of reading. Reading offers you the chance to go on a journey without ever leaving your home. Right now, I’m reading Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.” Like C.S. Lewis, Hill takes his reader on a journey. Despite the title, it’s not all about money. It’s about how to change your mindset to get where you want to be in life. Something I read in Hill’s book stuck with me: “The Universe is more anxious to give you what you want than you are to receive it.” Doesn’t that make you want to go out and embrace your life? It might sound Pollyanna-ish, but when you think about it, it’s hard not to believe your situation is going to improve if you adopt that mindset. You start realizing you do have the power to accomplish your goals, because the opportunities are all around you! HOW DO YOU DISCOVER A ‘GLASS HALF FULL’ MINDSET? ONE STEP AT A TIME

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SEARCHING FOR SPRING FAMILY SCAVENGER HUNTS MADE EASY

TAKE PICTURES Since everyone has a camera on their phone, why not use it? By taking pictures, you don’t have to worry about losing anything you find, and your teams can more safely collect certain items. For example, bird feathers are a great item for a spring scavenger hunt, but you don’t want your kids to touch them. Make a rule that a team member must appear in every picture so no one can cheat by finding photos online. CUSTOMIZE YOUR LIST There are plenty of scavenger hunt lists online, but it’s more fun to brainstorm with your family. Have everyone think of three to five spring- related items, like yellow flowers, a kite, or a rabbit-shaped cloud. Do some research into your local flora and fauna. If you put a bluebird on the list, you might want to make sure there are bluebirds in your area. DON’T FORGET THE PRIZES! Prizes don’t have to be elaborate to be fun. It can be something simple, like Popsicles or fake medals, or maybe the winning team gets to pick a restaurant for dinner. Scavenger hunts are one of the best ways to create lasting family memories this spring without breaking the bank. Just get your list, gather your family, and have fun. Happy hunting!

Spring is in bloom, and there’s no better time to get some fresh air. If you are looking for a way to get your family outside and

away from their screens, why not

plan a spring-themed scavenger hunt? More than just a fun way to spend the afternoon, scavenger hunts build problem-solving skills, encourage teamwork, and get your family to exercise their minds and bodies. Here are some tips on how to plan a memorable family scavenger hunt. PLAY IN TEAMS Your whole family can participate together, but it can also be fun to strike up some friendly competition with teams. Have at least one parent or an older, responsible sibling on each team to make sure everyone stays safe and follows the rules. KNOW ALL YOUR OPTIONS FOR DIVORCE DIVORCE DOESN’T HAVE TO HURT — LEARN HOW If divorce is on the horizon for you, there are likely plenty of questions racing through your mind. Where can you turn for professional and reputable answers to all of them? Polly Tatum and Adam Waitkevich! These two divorce experts are providing a seminar this month that will cover the financial and emotional aspects of divorce. Polly is an expert divorce mediator in Worcester County and Adam is the founder of Divorce Financial Solutions. Together, they will provide answers to your questions and help you navigate the complexities of divorce. They will discuss several topics related to divorce, focusing on the principle that divorce doesn’t have to hurt. The seminar will include this time-saving and cost-saving information:

By taking part in this session, Polly and Adam’s suggestions will allow you to move forward with your life and end your marriage without the emotional and financial drain that it would have if you had to hire two separate attorneys. Mediation works. Let them show you how at this seminar. It’s a no- commitment chance to hear from two experts about an alternative option that might be right for you. What do you have to lose?

Date: Thursday, April 12, 2018

Cost: $50

• The costs of divorce and how to avoid the most common unintended financial mistakes

Location: 19 Cedar Street, Worcester, MA 01609

• How to cut the time it takes to get a divorce by at least half

Time: 6–8 p.m.

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How the mediation process works

Space Is Limited: RSVP by April 9, 1 p.m.

• The best divorce financial solutions for your family

Contact Kathy@ mediationadvantage.com (508) 795-1557

The purpose of this session is to provide folks with information about how the divorce process works in Massachusetts. Following the session, you will be able to make the best decision for your situation.

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‘THE POWER OF HABIT’ GIVES YOU THE TOOLS TO CHANGE UNWANTED BEHAVIOR

On the cover, you read about Polly’s progress toward her health goals and how she’s doing it one step at a time by adopting healthy habits. If you’re looking to dive deeper into the topic of habits and why we develop them, you might give “The Power of Habit” a read. Habits affect us in every aspect of our lives, from our offices to our houses. Whether it’s nail biting, eating too many sweets, or putting off tasks until the last minute, we all have habits we wish we could break. But how do you escape a behavior you know little about? In his book, “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business,” New York Times reporter Charles Duhigg examines the structure of habit, its underlying causes, and the impact of habit in our careers and personal lives.

cue (the situation that leads to habitual behavior), the routine (the behavior itself), and the reward (the feeling of satisfaction provided by the behavior). Breaking down this loop, Duhigg argues, is the key to altering behavior. If you don’t understand the “why” for an action, it becomes much harder to escape that action itself. “Once you break a habit into its components,” Duhigg writes, “you can fiddle with the gears.” Duhigg details four steps to changing any habit in one of the most instructive sections in any book in recent memory. First, you pinpoint the routine. Then, you interrogate the reward you receive from that routine. After that, you isolate the situations that cue your behavior. Finally, you make a plan to change the behavior. Self-belief is a huge part of this process. As Duhigg says, “You have to actually believe in your capacity to change for habits to permanently change.” With the tools and examples Charles Duhigg provides in “The Power of Habit,” you’ll be able to take control of actions you thought were unbreakable. In both business and life, there’s hardly a more valuable asset.

The first part of “The Power of Habit” investigates what Duhigg calls the “habit loop.” This loop comprises the

MONTHLY CHALLENGE 5 DAYS OF CLEAN EATING

MINT PEA SOUP

As Polly shared on the cover, small steps can lead to big changes for your health.

For April, we have a five-day food challenge for you:

With the beautiful spring weather, peas will soon be ripe enough to slip out of their pods. In honor of the season, this recipe pairs peas and pearl onions with mint to make a refreshing soup.

Go green for 5 days by avoiding meat, processed food, and sugar.

INGREDIENTS

We know you can do it!

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3/4 cup fresh mint, plus more for garnish

• • • • •

3 pearl onions, diced

Tip: Start by planning your meals — mynewroots.org has tons of recipe ideas. Plan a trip to the grocery store on Saturday, and prep the meals you’ll eat for the week on Sunday.

3 tablespoons olive oil

• • •

Juice of 1 lemon

6 cups fresh or frozen peas

Salt to taste

5 cups vegetable stock

Get ready to feel great!

Pistachios for garnish

1 tablespoon agave nectar

DIRECTIONS

3. Put the mixture in a blender. As you blend, add mint, agave, lemon juice, and salt. 4. Once blended, pour into a bowl, garnish with mint and pistachios, and serve! This soup can be served hot or chilled depending on the weather and your preferences.

1. Place pot on stove over medium heat. Add olive oil. Add onions and cook until translucent. 2. Add peas and stock. Cook until peas are just tender and still bright green. Remove from stove and cool for 5 minutes.

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Adapted from mynewroots.org

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Hours: M-F 9AM-6PM

ESTATE PLANNING • KIDS PROTECTION PLANNING • WILLS HEALTH CARE PROXY • DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY • LIVING WILLS TRUSTS • DIVORCE/POST-DIVORCE MEDIATION SPECIALISTS

(508) 795-1557 www.mediationadvantage.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Twitter: www.twitter.com/PollyATatum Facebook: www.facebook.com/LawOfficeofPollyATatum LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/polly-tatum/15/50/506

19 Cedar St Worcester, MA 016069

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How to Approach Your Goals

This Season’s Best Family Activity

Divorce Doesn’t Have to Hurt — Learn More at Our Seminar Change Unwanted Behavior With ‘The Power of Habit’

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Clean Eating Challenge

Pasta With Turkey and Broccoli

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3 Places to View Natural Wonders

ONE-OF-A-KIND NATURESCAPES

Lagoon in Jamaica, where dinoflagellates, microscopic organisms in the water, lend their glow to the lagoon. These tiny organisms thrive in areas where salt water and fresh water meet, making the lagoon in springtime an ideal place to see them. Eco tip: To ensure this magical sight will remain for years to come, always go with a “pack it in, pack it out” mentality. Take all of your belongings with you when you leave and be respectful of the beautiful environment that is yours to enjoy. NORTHERN LIGHTS IN SCANDINAVIA One of the most elusive natural wonders, the aurora borealis, can only be seen on dark nights in the most northern parts of the world. That makes Sweden and its Scandinavian neighbors a great place to see the phenomenon. From December through April, you’ll have your best chance of seeing the northern lights. Sightings are dependent on solar activity, so it’s impossible to predict the exact timing and location, but they’re easier to see during the longer, darker nights of winter and early spring.

If you’re lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, you might see rare magical sights — baby turtles scuttling toward water, glowing lagoons, or a shimmering sky. But when and where do you need to be to catch these natural wonders? SEA TURTLES HATCHING IN HAWAII On Oahu’s North Shore, head to Turtle Beach, which gets its name from the many turtles that nest along its shores. During late spring and summer, the waves subside, allowing turtles to crawl onto the beach to lay their eggs. Baby turtles hatch at night and make their way to the water by the light of the moon. If you do head to the beach at night to see this spectacle, don’t use white light, as it can disrupt the turtles’ progress (that means no flash photography).

Eco tip: Look, but don’t touch! It’s illegal to touch a sea turtle in Hawaii.

BIOLUMINESCENT PLANKTON IN JAMAICA Imagine looking out at the water as the sky gets dark and seeing it turn a bright, glowing blue. That’s the sight you might be treated to at Luminous

Eco tip: Book your trip through a responsible travel company, such as those that practice a fair-trade policy.

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