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Jul 16

9 Reminders That Humans Are Inherently Good

It is easy to feel discouraged by the current events unfolding around the world right now. However, research shows it helps to focus on the positive perspective in order to maintain feelings of well-being.

Below are nine science-backed reminders that humans are inherently good!

1. Human beings are hardwired for friendship.
We crave connection as a species. Research shows that human beings are biologically programmed to seek friendship or companionship. Spending time with our loved ones helps us beat stress and improves our mood.

2. Human beings are naturally empathetic.
A 2013 study from the University of Virginia found that human beings are hardwired for empathy. When we relate to another human being and their experience, we feel real pain over what they’re going through. That could inspire us to take action to help out in any way that we can.

3. Kindness makes us feel happy.
Research shows that kindness makes people happier and in turn that happiness makes us kind. It is a positive cycle.

4. Our first instinct is to act selflessly.
Comprehensive research on human behavior suggests that we’re instinctively cooperative and willing to act out the good of our social groups, Scientific American reported. In other words, we initially feel compelled in a situation to put others before ourselves.

5. A human’s ability to fall in love is biological.
Research shows there are reactions in the brain when we fall in love ― either romantically or as a caregiver ― making it likely that we’re naturally wired to do so. Not only that, body releases feel-good chemicals that trigger physical reactions when we’re with someone we adore, a response that’s entirely automatic and out of our control.

6. Holding hands with someone alleviates fear.
Human connection is a powerful thing. Studies suggest that holding hands with another person can immediately reduce stress and fear.

7. Our bodies physically change when we hug someone.
A warm embrace is one of our greatest stress relievers, which is a pretty great characteristic of being human. Research shows hugging can release feel-good hormones like oxytocin in the body and lower blood pressure. Perhaps that’s why it’s so natural to reach out to those closest to us for a comforting hug during periods of grief and tragedy.

8. Human beings are programmed to recover from bad events.
We are an incredibly resilient species. According to research, we are naturally wired to move on from most challenges and pain either on our own or with help.

9. Dogs are hardwired to love us.
Studies show that not only do dogs care about their human owners, they see us as part of their family. We must be doing something right as a species to receive that kind of unconditional love.

Reference: 9 Much-Needed Reminders That Humans Are Inherently Good, Lindsay Holmes, Huffington Post, July 15, 2016.

Jul 15, 2016

Adaptive Action Sports

Earlier this week I talked about Amy Purdy, and how she overcame the loss of her legs, and a critical illness that nearly took her life, to become one of the one of the top ranked adaptive snowboarders in the world.

After the loss of her legs, Amy made three decisions: (1) She would snowboard again. (2) She would not feel sorry for herself. (3) She would help other people.

Amy did exactly what she set out to do. By trial and error, she learned to snowboard with her prosthetic legs. And she got good at it. Really good.

Amy co-founded Adaptive Action Sports in 2005, which is a non-profit with the goal of growing the sport of adaptive snowboarding. You can learn more about her mission in this video.

I love the way Amy Purdy used her passion for snowboarding to inspire and uplift so many people, and to make the world a better place.

Do you have a passion that you can use to make the world a better place? Consider starting your own non-profit!

Jul 14

Judge Orders Prince’s Former Law Firm To Share Its Confidential Files With Estate Lawyers

Judge Kevin Eide has authorized the special administrator of Prince’s estate to review confidential files of the law firm that handled Prince’s second divorce, reasoning that the files may contain relevant information about Prince’s potential heirs.

The law firm was reluctant to provide information protected by the attorney-client privilege and work product doctrine.

However, Judge Eide agreed with the special administrator that it is in Prince’s and his estate’s interest for the law firm to share whatever information it has.

Prince’s lack of an estate plan has made it challenging for the Court to distribute his estate to his rightful heirs.

Reference: Judge Orders Prince’s Former Law Firm To Share Its Confidential Files With Estate Lawyers, Minneapolis Star Tribune, July 13, 2016.

Keeping your estate plan current and accessible can prevent costly disputes and protect your loved ones.

Jul 13

Tragedy To Triumph

Amy Purdy was 19 years old when she started having flu-like symptoms one day. The following day she was in the hospital on life support with a 2% chance of survival.

Amy had contracted bacterial meningitis. She went into septic shock less than 24 hours later. Both of her legs had to be amputated below the knee. She lost both kidneys, and her spleen had to be removed. She also lost all of the hearing of her left ear.

Amy beat the odds and recovered. She challenged herself to move on with her life, and to reach goals that anyone would struggle to achieve. She became one of the top ranked adaptive snowboarders in the world.

In the spring of 2014, Amy inspired millions of fans with her performances on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars. During the 2015 Super Bowl, she was featured in a commercial for Toyota. Later in 2015, her book “On My Own Two Feet” became a New York Times best-seller. Currently, she is a motivational speaker who is invited to share her wisdom with audiences around the world.

I love Amy Purdy’s story! We never know what the future holds for us. How we prepare for it, and respond to it, is up to us.

One way to be prepared for unforeseen critical illness is to ensure that your Advance Medical Directives and Powers of Attorney are up to date.

Jul 12

My Last Tie

I came across a post on Lifehacker.org that was written by a 24-year-old man with a terminal cancer diagnosis.

He had originally posted it over a year ago on Reddit, so I am not sure if he is still with us.

One thing is certain. He was wise beyond his years. I have included the text of his post verbatim:

I am only 24 years old, yet I have actually already chosen my last tie. It’s the one that I will wear on my funeral a few months from now. It may not match my suit, but I think it’s perfect for the occasion.

The cancer diagnosis came too late to give me at least a tenuous hope for a long life, but I realized that the most important thing about death is to ensure that you leave this world a little better than it was before you existed with your contributions . The way I’ve lived my life so far, my existence or more precisely the loss of it, will not matter because I have lived without doing anything impactful.

Before, there were so many things that occupied my mind. When I learned how much time I had left, however, it became clear which things are really important. So, I am writing to you for a selfish reason. I want to give meaning to my life by sharing with you what I have realized:

Don’t waste your time on work that you don’t enjoy. It is obvious that you cannot succeed in something that you don’t like. Patience, passion, and dedication come easily only when you love what you do.
It’s stupid to be afraid of others’ opinions. Fear weakens and paralyzes you. If you let it, it can grow worse and worse every day until there is nothing left of you, but a shell of yourself. Listen to your inner voice and go with it. Some people may call you crazy, but some may even think you‘re a legend.
Take control of your life Take full responsibility for the things that happen to you. Limit bad habits and try to lead a healthier life. Find a sport that makes you happy. Most of all, don’t procrastinate. Let your life be shaped by decisions you made, not by the ones you didn’t.
Appreciate the people around you Your friends and relatives will always be an infinite source of strength and love. That is why you shouldn’t take them for granted.

It is difficult for me to fully express my feelings about the importance of these simple realizations, but I hope that you will listen to someone who has experienced how valuable time is.

I’m not upset because I understand that the last days of my life have become meaningful. I only regret that I will not be able to see a lot of cool stuff that should happen soon like the creation of AI, or Elon Musk’s next awesome project. I also hope that the war in Syria and Ukraine will end soon.

We care so much about the health and integrity of our body that until death, we don’t notice that the body is nothing more than a box – a parcel for delivering our personality, thoughts, beliefs and intentions to this world. If there is nothing in this box that can change the world, then it doesn’t matter if it disappears. I believe that we all have potential, but it also takes a lot of courage to realize it.

You can float through a life created by circumstances, missing day after day, hour after hour. Or, you can fight for what you believe in and write the great story of your life. I hope you will make the right choice.

Leave a mark in this world. Have a meaningful life, whatever definition it has for you. Go towards it. The place we are leaving is a beautiful playground, where everything is possible. Yet, we are not here forever. Our life is a short spark in this beautiful little planet that flies with incredible speed to the endless darkness of the unknown universe. So, enjoy your time here with passion. Make it interesting. Make it count!

Thank you!

Jul 11

Colorado’s New Digital Assets Act

You may have read my previous posts about the estate planning challenges associated with digital assets.

Trustees and personal representatives often need to access digital assets to carry out a deceased or incapacitated person’s wishes. However, industry and consumer groups have been opposed to allowing such access, based on privacy concerns.

To address these issues, Colorado has recently enacted the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (“RUFADAA”), which will be effective as of August 10, 2016.

This Act outlines the circumstances under which a fiduciary may have access to digital assets, while also considering the privacy interests of the deceased or incapacitated person.

RUFADAA also takes into account the interests of the custodians of the digital assets. These may include entities such as banks, Google, Yahoo, and Facebook.

RUFADAA places high importance on the intent of the deceased or incapacitated person, and limits a fiduciary’s automatic access to the content of the person’s digital communications, absent their consent or a court order.

RUFADAA does nothing to change a fiduciary’s duties with respect to his actions on behalf of the deceased or incapacitated person. Instead, RUFADAA provides that a fiduciary’s duties with respect to managing the person’s tangible personal property also apply with respect to managing the person’s digital assets.

Reference: Trust Administration: Colorado’s New Digital Assets Act, National Law Review, July 5, 2016.