Ty Wilson Law - December 2020

Ty Wilson Law - December 2020

www.TyWi l sonLaw. com 1-866-937-5454

Your Compass MONTHLY

DECEMBER 2020

FROM THE DESK OF Ty Wilson It is with great sadness that I inform you that this will be the last newsletter you will receive for a while. Circumstances have changed with COVID-19. In this type of law practice, I sometimes run into a client again, and sometimes, I am only lucky enough to help my clients once. Either way, this is my opportunity to say thank you! You have provided me with lessons and blessings that I will always remember. If you have enjoyed my newsletter, please let me know by sending me an email or calling my office. This was my attempt to stay in touch with so many wonderful clients, friends, and family members throughout the years. 2020 is unlike any other year, and anyone old enough to remember this year will never forget. With that said, the only constant in life is change. I hope each and every one of you reading these words have safe and happy holidays. I feel truly grateful for everything.

KEEP YOUR SOCIAL CIRCLE INTACT — HERE’S HOW!

Exercise is one of the best ways we can keep our bodies healthy, especially as we age. But that’s not all exercise can do for us. When we exercise, we’re also improving our mental health. Have you ever gone for a walk around the neighborhood and felt refreshed and more energetic afterward? Moving our bodies can give us a second wind and helps reduce anxiety and improve self-esteem. I know that’s true for me. Though exercise is important, it’s not all we can do for our mental well-being. You’re probably aware that relationships are important, but you may not realize that staying social is a great way to improve your mental fitness. However, as I’m sure many of you can relate, I find it harder and harder to keep any sort of social life. With the responsibilities of work and family, merely maintaining my social circle — much less expanding it — feels almost impossible at times, but it’s not! Here are a few things that have helped me keep my social life as active as possible. R emind yourself of what ’ s important . During the rush of your daily routine, it can be easy to lose sight of what’s really important. After you get out of bed in the morning, the day feels like a blur until you sink back into bed at night. But no matter how busy you get, it’s necessary to set some time aside to think about what’s important to you. Brainstorm how you can spend more time with your loved ones or engage in a favorite hobby. I’ve found it helpful to plan out my day to ensure I’m making time for myself. This allows me to stay connected with the people I care about and gives me an opportunity to relax with them.

-Ty Wilson

Stay Safe.

Continued on Page 2 ...

Give Us a Call! 1-866-937-5454 • 1

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com

... continued from Cover

G et involved in the community . A great way to expand your social circle is to participate in a community event. This can include volunteering, taking a class, joining an exercise group, or even getting a part-time job. All of these are great opportunities to meet new people who are interested in the same things you are! Finding people with similar interests is a sure way to make friends, or, at the very least, close acquaintances. D on ’ t let hearing loss deter you . If you begin to experience hearing loss, you may be deterred from socializing. It’s common for those whose hearing is fading to withdraw from social gatherings. This is mostly because of the stigma surrounding treatments for hearing loss, like hearing aids. However, separating yourself from friends and loved ones can be harmful. You may think you’re doing just fine, when in reality, your hearing is worse than you realize. More than that, you can increase your risk of loneliness and depression and even put yourself at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. If you’re experiencing hearing loss, talk to your health care provider. They can talk you through treatment options and answer any concerns or questions you might have. Talk to your friends and family about any problems you are having too. The more open you are with your loved ones, the more they can

understand what you’re going through and provide support. Don’t let your hearing get in the way of being with the people you love and enjoy spending time with. Keep in mind: Your brain is like a muscle. The more you use it, the more active it stays. Interacting with people is just one way you can do that. Even if the pandemic has distanced you physically from your loved ones, don’t stop reaching out to them. Let’s all stay connected in any way we can.

With No Snow at All Creating the Perfect Snowball Fight

4. Cut between the two knots to snip off a tied-off snowball. Repeat these steps until you have at least a few dozen, but if you’re patient enough to make 100 or more, you’ll have ample supply for a substantial encounter. H ow to P lay There’s really no “right” way to have a snowball fight. It’s often just about who can hit whom the most, but if you want to turn it into a measurable competition, divide your group into two teams and distribute the snowballs evenly between them. Then create boundaries for each team by laying down masking tape across the room. Teams must stay on their side of the line at all times. Set a timer for however long you’d like the fight to go on, and at your signal, teams can start hurling snowballs across the room at one another. When time is up, gather and count the snowballs on each side, and the team with the fewest snowballs is the winner! A crafty indoor snowball fight can be a lot of fun for people of all ages, not just kids. Best of all, the crafting part is something you only have to do once, and then you have a stock of snowballs for every winter to come.

An old-fashioned snowball fight is the epitome of winter activities. But if

snowfall is lacking or it’s just too cold to venture outside and hurl freezing balls of ice at each other, don’t let it dampen your spirits. You can create and orchestrate your own indoor, snow-free, and entirely safe snowball fight.

M ake Y our S nowballs While craft stores sell large white cotton puffs that look like snowballs, they’re too light to get any good velocity behind them. Instead, make your own “snowballs” with just a few materials in four easy steps: 1. You’ll need a pair of scissors, several pairs of cheap white nylon stockings (one pair can make about 10 snowballs) and a bag of polyester fiberfill, like Poly-Fil, or use the stuffing from a few old stuffed animals you no longer want. 2. Stuff a handful of the filling down into the end of one stocking leg and tie a knot, creating a round “snowball.” 3. Make another knot after the one you just made, leaving a little space between the two knots.

2 • www.TyWilsonLaw.com

A Driver’s Guide to Safe Holiday Travels WINTER ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED

On Sept. 24, 2019, more than 2.5 million people passed through TSA checkpoints at airports across America. On the same date this year, those terminals saw just 826,316 travelers — a nearly 70% drop. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Americans have been thinking twice about air travel, and this holiday, millions of would-be flyers will set out on road trips instead.

ponchos, rope, batteries, pliers, zip ties, and a first-aid kit at pretty much any Walmart or sporting goods store. You could even save a life by adding a few more essentials to your kit, like a blanket, snacks, and an extra cellphone charger.

At this point, you’re almost a safety black belt. But to take your kit to the next level for winter driving, there are three more little- known items you should stash in your trunk: a shovel, a bag of sand or cat litter, and an extra bottle of windshield wiper fluid. If you get stuck in a snowbank, the shovel will help you dig your way out without risking frostbitten fingers. The sand or cat litter will boost your traction if you sprinkle it around your wheels in an icy spot, and the extra wiper fluid will make all the difference if you run out during a snowstorm.

Road tripping is a great way to avoid contact with a lot of people, but it can also be dangerous, especially in winter weather. Fortunately, you can take several steps to keep your family safe. Getting your car checked before you go, for example, can save you a lot of hassle on the road, as can investing in a set of snow tires. It’s also smart to take precautions such as letting a friend or family member know your route, predicted arrival time, and where you plan to stop for gas along the way.

Apart from that, one of the best things you can do is pack an emergency kit. AAA sells premade kits through outlets like Amazon, and you can find a basic kit with things like jumper cables,

Once you’re prepared, crank up the Christmas carols and

get driving!

Take a Break!

Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com

Festive Apple Cider

If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!

INGREDIENTS: • 1 lemon •

DIRECTIONS: 1.

Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours.

1 gallon pure apple cider 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise

•

2 tsp whole cloves 2 tsp allspice berries

•

2.

•

CAROL CHEER COCOA FAMILY GIFT HOLIDAY

HOLLY PEACE SHOVEL SLEDDING SNOW TURQUOISE

1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced

•

2 tbsp honey

•

If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!

3.

3 cinnamon sticks

•

Give Us a Call! 1-866-937-5454 • 3

Give us a call! 1-866-937-5454 Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST www.TyWilsonLaw.com

FIRST-CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1 Bull St., Suite 305 Savannah, GA 31401

Inside This Issue From the Desk of Ty PAGE 1 Our Social Lives Are Vital for Mental Health PAGE 1 Craft a Snow-Free Indoor Snowball Fight PAGE 2 Winter Road Trip Essentials You Didn’t Know You Needed PAGE 3 Festive Apple Cider PAGE 3 Take a Break! PAGE 3 How to Be a Better Listener for Someone in Need PAGE 4

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.

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.

Billikopf also notes that, as a listener, it’s important to avoid interjecting. Don’t offer input, suggestions, or guidance to the person

4 • www.TyWilsonLaw.com

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com