Johnson Law Group - September 2021

Johnson Law Group - September 2021

JohnsonLGroup.com

720.452.2540

SEPT 2021

MY UNIQUE SELF- IMPROVEMENT JOURNEY What I’ve Learned From Taking Taekwondo

Y ou might not have known this, but caring for ourselves, and if there are any means by which we can improve different areas of our lives. That being said, I thought I would share one potentially unique way that I decided to improve myself: I started learning taekwondo. If you were to ask me just a few months ago what I thought about martial arts in general, I would have told you that I didn’t think they were really good or bad. I just felt indifferent to them. However, when we started taking our 4-year-old to taekwondo classes, I started to see how it could benefit anyone willing to learn. In his classes, my son learned focus, discipline, September is Self-Improvement Month. It’s a month to assess how well we’re respect, and humility. At home, I can’t get him to stop jumping on the couch, but at the dojo, he bows to the mat as a sign of respect. So, I decided to see what taekwondo was all about for myself. Now, I’m 37 years old, and I have a lot going on in my life. Trying a new skill that has nothing to do with anything I’ve ever been interested in has definitely been humbling in some ways. At the time of writing this, I’m a white belt (though hopefully I’ll have advanced to the next one by the time you read it). My son — who, again, is 4 years old — is also a white belt. If that doesn’t immediately instill in you a sense of humility, then I don’t know what will.

At the same time, in my adult and teen taekwondo class, I have 14-year-old girls showing me the correct form for sidekicks and blocks. There are 6-year-olds who are further along toward getting a black belt than I am! Nevertheless, I continue to push forward. I have made it my goal to become a black belt, so I’ll practice my form and take every opportunity I can to rank up. I recently had my first sparring session. I thought we would actually be fighting, so I was a little worried at first. I had work the next day, so I couldn’t get my head kicked in! Luckily, it’s more like playing tag than fighting — you’re just showing off that you could land a hit without actually landing it. Like I hinted at earlier when talking about my son’s lessons, taekwondo is about more than just fighting. It’s about getting into a certain state of mind — one that I find can often contradict the typical American life. We live in a very capitalistic, individualistic society, but taekwondo is more about being a part of a collective and putting the needs of others before your own. It’s about respect and mindfulness as well as self-defense. The first lesson you learn in taekwondo is that you should always avoid fighting if you can. And here I thought it’d be all about kicking butt! There’s no room for aggression and seizing control in taekwondo, and I’ve been able to apply that to my life outside of the dojo. When

I work with my team, sometimes my default mindset is to figure out how to do things myself, rather than empowering the team to take on some of those responsibilities. But my office is about more than just me and what I can do. It’s about what everyone can do to help our clients. By seeing ourselves as more of a collective, I can empower anyone to take action and be a leader. If you’re like me, and you’ve found a unique way to improve yourself in some way, I wish you luck in that and hope that it will lead to as much self- reflection and growth as I’ve experienced!

–Myles Johnson

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THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN CROATIA

After graduating from law school and taking the bar exam in South Carolina, I knew that I wanted to get away from the South — with its hot, humid summers and mild winters — and move somewhere that had four seasons. I had taken the uniform bar exam, which is accepted in 38 states. I asked my girlfriend which of those 38 states were the most appealing and she pointed out Colorado and Utah. We decided to move to Colorado. When I’m not helping clients at the office, you’ll probably find me outside enjoying Colorado’s beautiful outdoors or watching the White Sox, Bears, Bulls, or Georgia football on TV. WHY I DECIDED TO PRAC ‘It’s One of the Be Avenues for Help

Your Next Affordable Vacation Spot!

This gorgeous coastal nation will absolutely blow you away with its beautiful architecture, landscapes, and delicious blend of Mediterranean and Slavic cuisine. Even better, it's a fairly affordable place to visit! While many travelers land in Zagreb, the beautiful capital city and cultural hub, you wouldn’t want to miss these destinations. Dubrovnik As the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” this coastal city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Adriatic Sea. It’s a beautiful city, featuring 13th century walls, marble stone streets, Gothic palaces, breathtaking churches, and an imposing fortress. There’s so much to do in the town square—one of Croatia’s largest and most beautiful — and you’ll be able to explore many historic structures nearby. Nature also has plenty to offer, with secluded coves and beaches nearby for exploration. Plitvice Lakes National Park Near the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina, you’ll find one of Croatia’s oldest and most beautiful national parks and a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. Although it’s quite the drive, you won’t regret it — the park has an outstanding and picturesque series of

As someone who loves spending time outdoors and is very active, Colorado is the perfect place to be. When it’s warm, I can play tennis and run, and when it’s cold, I have access to some of the best skiing around. Plus, since we live so close to many vacation destinations, our home is a great place for our families to visit.

tufa lakes and caves, all connected by waterfalls. With over 16 interconnected cascading lakes, it’s unlike anything else you’ll see. If you get hungry, you’ll love the nearby National Restaurant Licka Kuca, which is famous for its traditional Croatian preparation of lamb under a cast-iron bell.

PREPPING FOR

3 Things to Do Bef

Split The second largest city in Croatia (the first being Zagreb) is Split, founded by a Greek colony in the second or third century B.C. Historically, Split enjoyed being an independent city-state many times, and that free spirit is very tangible, as Split is very different from any other city in Croatia. With well-preserved Roman architecture and a multitude of museums, it’s no wonder Split is also a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. Although Croatia was among the first UN countries to open its doors to Americans, always be safe and check the newest regulations before booking your travel. Hopefully you enjoyed learning about this unique, wonderful country!

Prepare Legal Documents Once they turn 18, your child is no longer under your care — legally speaking. You can no longer make decisions for them, including medical decisions, should they become incapacitated and unable to make their own decisions. Connect with a trusted attorney to create medical and financial powers of attorney that give you these rights. (Just consult with your child first before doing so!) Cover the Household Basics If there’s one thing to look forward to, it’s all the laundry you won’t have to do anymore. And the fridge will be fully stocked without ravenous teens

Congratulations to parents sending their children off to college or “the real world” this year! Parenthood is not for the faint of heart — from toddler meltdowns to angsty teenage years, you might be counting down the days to an empty nest.

Yet, that doesn’t make your child moving off to college any easier.

Fear not, for you can help your child live more independently at college in many ways and give yourself peace of mind knowing that your baby is going to be fine.

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THE GOOD NEWS! “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” –Psalm 34:8

est ping People’

CTICE FAMILY LAW

That said though, I didn’t come to Colorado just for outdoor recreation. I also came here for a job practicing family law here at Johnson Law Group.

I truly think that family law is one of the best avenues for helping people. I handle the dissolution of marriages and the allocation of parental responsibilities on a daily basis — both of which can be incredibly stressful processes for families to endure. The fact that family law cases either make or break families is not something to be taken lightly. While this can sometimes be stressful, it makes the job incredibly rewarding. In the long-run, I get to see families live by the plans they set up during their time as our clients, to help their children thrive.

For all these reasons, I take my job very seriously. I seek nothing less than the best outcomes for my clients and their families, and I work very hard to ensure their continued success.

Easy Peach Cobbler

–Taylor Brice

R AN EMPTY NEST? fore Your Graduate Leaves

Ingredients

• • • • •

1/2 cup unsalted butter

• • • •

1 cup milk

1 cup flour

4 cups peaches (fresh is best!)

2 cups sugar, divided 1 tbsp baking powder

1 tbsp lemon juice

Ground cinnamon or nutmeg to taste

emptying it regularly! But before you drop your child off at college or their new home, make sure they can manage laundry, cook basic meals, and keep a tidy space. Some basics to cover include the difference between hot and cold wash and how to make scrambled eggs. Make a Budget Living as a broke young adult is almost like a rite of passage to “real” adulthood, but you can make this experience easier just by opening that often taboo door and talking about money. Explain the processes or budgeting systems that work for your family and guide your child through their potential living expenses. Try test runs so they understand how much they will have to spend on necessities, like groceries, hygiene items, and gas. Pro Tip: Before your children take off, don’t forget to schedule one more dental appointment! We can set up recurring appointments during breaks to ensure their oral health is never compromised.

Dash of salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, add butter and place in oven. Remove when melted. 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then pour in milk and stir until the mixture is smooth. 3. Pour the batter over the melted butter, but don’t stir! 4. In a pot, bring peaches, lemon juice, and remaining sugar to a boil. Stir constantly. 5. Pour peaches over batter, but once again, don’t stir! 6. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg, then bake at 375 F for 45 minutes.

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Inspired by MyRecipes.com

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INSIDE

What I’ve Learned FromTaking Taekwondo

The Best Places to Visit in Croatia

A Little Bit About Associate Attorney Taylor Brice

3 Things All Students Need BeforeMoving to College

The Good News!

Easy Peach Cobbler

CheckOut These Events Before Summer Really Ends!

Before summer ends for good, there are a lot of great events in the Denver area that you won’t want to miss! Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a car geek, or a Bavarian culture connoisseur, there are some great events coming up just before fall truly begins. What are you waiting for? Get out in the community and check out what these events have to offer. A Few Events to Check Out BEFORE SUMMER IS TRULY OVER

Denver Superhero Heart Run When: Sept. 12, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Denver Auto Show When: Sept. 15–19, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. (10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19) Where: Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park (2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, CO 80204) Admission: $15 for adults, $8 for children ages 6–12, and free for children under 6 This is for all the auto lovers out there. See thousands of cars, vans, crossovers, hybrids, and more — along with the latest and top-of-the-line technology. You don’t necessarily have to be looking to buy, but once you’re there, it might be hard not to shop around!

Denver Oktoberfest When: Sept. 17–19 and 24–26, 5 p.m.–11 p.m. Where: Larimer Square, Denver, CO 80202 Admission: (see TheDenverOktoberfest.com for details) Though it’s still in September, Denver’s Oktoberfest — noted by Maxim and USA Today as “The Best Oktoberfest” in the United States — will be in full swing at the end of this month. Enjoy all manner of German beers and pretzels, along with several other vendors and performances that are sure to help ring in the fall season.

Where: The Hudson Gardens & Event Center (6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton, CO 80120) Admission: $30 for adults, $15 for kids (ages 2–12), free for individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD) CHD is the leading cause of death in the United States, and it can affect people of all ages. If you want to play your own small part in combating this deadly disease, sign up for our 5k, 2k, or Super Kids Dash! Not only will you get some steps in for the day, but you’ll also receive a cape, finisher’s medal, and a run bag!

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720.452.2540