Gillette Law - December 2020

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ILLETTE

GAZETTE

DEC/JAN 2021

WRITING YOUR LIST OF 100 DREAMS

Although I’ve been continuing to work and do hearings, I feel like during this whole pandemic, I put a lot of my life on hold. I’m sure many of you feel the same. This year, in trying to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe, we’ve stopped doing some of the things we used to enjoy and perhaps fallen into a rut. Many of my clients might feel the same way. After a difficult year filled with challenges, even job loss, it might be difficult to move forward and think about future goals. But thinking about the future is still important. Regardless of whether you were laid off or couldn’t work anymore due to an injury or illness, you shouldn’t give up on your dreams just because you aren’t working right now. If you’re not sure how to keep dreaming, I have a recommendation. Get a journal and set some time aside to sit in a quiet place. Dream about the future and write down 100 dreams. Author and motivational speaker Matthew Kelly encourages this process. I’m sure you’re thinking, “100 dreams? How am I going to come up with 100 dreams?” Luckily, it’s an easy practice when broken down into 11 smaller categories. Ask yourself about your dreams: 1. Physical: Is your dream to lose weight or exercise more? What about getting your diabetes under control or preparing to quit smoking or drinking?

7. Professional: Whether your dream is to pick up a more fulfilling new job than the last or find any type of work, what do you want to do?

8. Financial: Is there a certain amount you want to save? What about donating more to a local charity or organization?

9. Creative: Have you ever wanted to paint, write, draw, build, or sculpt but never had the chance?

10. Adventure: Where do you want to go? Is it out of the country or across your own? Do you want to scuba dive or sky-dive? Ride a roller coaster for the first time?

11. Legacy: What kind of legacy do you want to leave your children? Is it a story? Is it a home? Is it an heirloom?

2. Emotional: Do you want to improve your relationship with your spouse, children, or friends?

Once you have your 100 dreams written down, take the next week or so to study them and choose the ones that are most important to you. Categorize them into three areas: dreams to finish in 12 months, 1–5 years, and five years and beyond. As you go through life and achieve these dreams, check them off and put a date on them so you can look back and know what you accomplished.

3. Intellectual: Do you want to learn something new? Is it a new language or learning how to cook?

4. Spiritual: How are you going to increase your daily worship?

Don’t stop dreaming, even if the world goes crazy. Keep moving forward and keep those dreams alive.

5. Psychological: Is your dream to become happier in life or to reach out and find help?

6. Material: Is there something you want — or don’t want? Maybe your dream is to buy a house or purchase a dream car. Or, do you want to give things away?

–Brian Gillette

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BE A BETTER LISTENER FOR SOMEONE

WHO NEEDS TO ‘GET IT ALL OUT’

It’s not always easy to share feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, or other strong emotions — but it’s healthy to share them. Sometimes, we need to vent and get it all out. Venting gives us an opportunity to release these emotions, which often leads to mental clarity. However, when someone comes to you to vent and share their heavy emotional burden, listening can be just as challenging as sharing. You want to be supportive, but you don’t want to interfere. Strong feelings and tough situations may be involved. What can you do to be the listener they really need? It starts with your body language. Open yourself to their emotional needs. Gregorio Billikopf, an interpersonal relationship expert at the University of California, Berkeley says if you begin the conversation standing, invite the person to have a seat with you. Another thing you can do as a listener is position yourself below their eye line. This puts the person venting in a more active “storyteller” position and you in a better “listener” position. While in this position, maintain eye contact. It’s okay to look down or away occasionally, but try to keep steady eye contact.

Billikopf also notes that, as a listener, it’s important to avoid interjecting. Don’t offer input, suggestions, or guidance to the person venting until after the person has had the chance to get it all out. “During this venting process, there is still too much pressure for a person to consider other perspectives,” Billikopf says. While you don’t want to interject, you do want to be an active listener. This means you don’t want to be completely silent. This is where “reflective listening” comes in. Occasionally repeat what the speaker says — but don’t use their exact phrasing. Reword slightly in a sympathetic manner. Don’t spin their words or mistakenly interject an opinion, as it may not be the opinion they’re interested in hearing. Alternatively, listening cues like “mm” or “hm” and nods are always welcome. One last thing to keep in mind: You do not need to offer a solution to the person’s problem or concerns. They may just be venting to get their negative emotions out, not looking for answers or explanations. If they are looking for answers or guidance, wait for them to ask. In the meantime, lend your ear and let them know you’re there for them going forward.

YOU HAVE BEEN OVERPAID! What Are Your Options?

It is not uncommon for SSI recipients to receive a notice from the Social Security Administration that they have been overpaid. Do not panic if you receive such a notice. You may not have to repay the money, or you may be able to repay as little as $10 a month. If you do not agree that you have been overpaid, or if you believe the amount is incorrect, you can appeal by filing Form SSA-561, Request for Reconsideration (SSA. gov/forms/ssa-561.pdf). You should explain why you think you have not been overpaid or why you think the amount is not correct. If you appeal within 30 days of the date on your overpayment notice, your benefits will continue during the appeal. Even if you did receive the overpayment, you may not have to pay it back if you were without fault in causing the overpayment and you are financially unable to pay it back. You must file Form SSA-632, Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery (SSA.

gov/forms/ssa-632-bk.pdf) with the Social Security Administration if you feel the overpayment was not your fault. Social Security may withhold as little as $10 per month from your checks. If you agree you have been overpaid and are willing to pay it back but cannot afford

to pay it back at the rate the Social Security Administration demands in its notice, you should file Form SSA-634, Request for Change in Overpayment Recovery Rate (SSA.gov/forms/ssa-634.pdf). More information about overpayments can be found at SSA.gov/pubs/EN-05-10098.pdf.

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ARE MY SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS TAXABLE? Many people who get Social Security (retirement, survivor, and disability) benefits must pay income taxes on their benefits.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are not taxable. You may have to pay income tax on your Social Security benefits for any of these reasons: • If you file a federal income tax return as single, head of household, qualifying widow(er), or married filing separately living apart from your spouse, and your combined income* is $25,000 or above, you may have to pay taxes on part of your Social Security benefits. • If you file a joint return with your spouse, you may have to pay taxes on part of your benefits if you and your spouse have a combined income* of $32,000 or above. • If you are married filing separately and living with your spouse, you probably will pay taxes on your benefits. At the end of each year, Social Security will mail you a Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA1099) showing the amount of benefits you received. You can use this statement when you complete your federal income tax return to find out if you must pay taxes on your benefits. Although you are not required to have federal taxes withheld, you may find it easier than paying quarterly estimated tax payments.

For more information, call the Internal Revenue Service’s toll-free telephone number, (800) 829-3676, to ask for Publication 554, Tax Information for Older Americans; and Publication 915, Social Security Benefits and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits. Both publications may also be found at IRS.gov/Forms-&-Pubs. *On the 1040 tax return, your “combined income” is the sum of your adjusted gross income without regard to your Social Security Benefits and certain other adjustments, plus nontaxable interest plus one-half of your Social Security benefits.

JENNIFER’S GREEN MONSTER SMOOTHIE

DO YOU HAVE A LEGAL QUESTION?

If we can’t answer your question, we would be happy to personally refer you to one of our trusted colleagues. We will even call them to give them a summary of your issue so they are aware and ready to take your call. But it all starts by reaching out to our office. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out at 757-220-4529.

Ingredients

• 1/2 avocado

• 1/2 frozen banana, sliced before freezing

• 8 oz water

• 1 tbsp honey or clover honey

• 1 tbsp chia seed

• 1/2 cup ice cubes, or to taste

• 1/2 cup 2% fat Greek yogurt (about 10 g protein)

• 2 cups baby spinach (packed) or 3 oz baby kale

DAD JOKE

• 1 small apple, chopped

• 1 scoop protein powder, unflavored or vanilla

• 1 lemon, peeled and quartered

• 1 or 2 packets Truvia single serve or stevia of choice

Directions

1. Into a strong blender/mixer, add all ingredients. Put protein powder in last.

Q: What did the English teacher call Santa’s helpers? A: Subordinate clauses

2. Mix until smooth. Add extra honey or Truvia (stevia) sweetener to taste.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1315 Jamestown Rd. Suite 102 Williamsburg, VA 23185

GILLETTE LAW GROUP, PLLC

Call Now! 757-220-4529 GilletteLawGroup.com

INSIDE This Issue

Writing Your List of 100 Dreams page 1 How to Be a Better Listener for Someone

Are My Social Security Benefits Taxable? page 3

Jennifer’s Green Monster Smoothie page 3

in Need page 2

3 New Board Games to Try This Winter page 4

You Have Been Overpaid! page 2

SNOWED IN FOR CHRISTMAS? IT’S BOARD GAME TIME!

2. Half Truth: Brilliant Minds Meet Here If you’re a fan of Trivial Pursuit, you’ll love Half Truth. At its heart, it’s a trivia game, but it ups the stakes by giving players the opportunity to bet on how many correct answers they’ll get. Really though, there’s only one thing you need to know about this game, and Thrillist said it best: “It’s the brainchild of legendary Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield and 74- time Jeopardy! winner Ken Jennings.” What a pedigree! Everyone 12 and over will want a seat at the table. 3. getCrewd: A Playground for Movie Buffs getCrewd is a card game that comes in a retro-style film can, and that single trait speaks volumes. In this PG-13-rated game, you play a film producer in search of the perfect actor, director, and crew to make your movie happen. However, the deck will keep throwing obstacles in your way, including everything from flash floods to writers’ strikes. If you have a competitive side, you’ll love this mad scramble to the finish line.

“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the games are so delightful …”

Those might not be the exact lyrics from the famous Christmas carol, but it’s true that decks of cards and various board games get many families through the holiday season. You can only rewatch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” so many times before the jokes grow stale. While new movie releases can be fun, many have been stalled this year because of the pandemic. Luckily, board games are still coming out on schedule. If you’re on the hunt for alternatives to Monopoly, Clue, and Scrabble, check out these fresh 2020 games, which all come recommended by the experts at Thrillist. 1. The Alpha: A Nature Lover’s Dream Game If your childhood dream was joining a wolf pack like Mowgli in “The Jungle Book,” this is the board game for you! The Alpha is a beautifully illustrated strategic game where players act as pack leaders and compete with other players to acquire territory and snag the best food. Gameplay is done in rounds that include four stages: stalk, chase, resolve, and advance. The game is rated for 3–6 players ages 10 and up.

With these games in your cabinet, you won’t even notice the snowbanks outside!

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