Reset, readjust, restart, refocus.As many times as you need to.
Just don't quit!
Body positivity is as simple as making the choice to love yourself despite your shortcomings.
To embrace your whole self and not let others dictate how you feel about your body.
MermaidDiagram Comment.
You’re right, Jen, of course,” she capitulated. “I’m sorry. You’re going through hell, and I’m pontificating instead of being compassionate,” Lynne admitted.“Pontificating? Interesting choice of words for a nonbeliever,” Jennifer chuckled.
Their mom used to say: "One minute you're mortal enemies, and the next you love each other.
Let me do the talking unless they ask you a direct question. Even then, wait to see if it’s a question I want you to answer. Take a deep breath, count to five. I’ll chime in before five seconds are up to save the day.”“Ah, my knight in shining armor.”“That’s me.”“I’m glad I didn’t fire you . . .
What tenacity! What spirit! I feel so alive in her presence. I can conquer the world with her by my side. If she'd let him, he'd violate his rule about becoming involved with a client . . .
He and others like him, if not stopped, will create a generation of faithless and trustless adults. We cannot let this happen to our children.
Can’t a lawyer take his client out to dinner to discuss the case? Haven’t you ever heard of the two-martini lunch?”“Yes, but this is dinner,” she corrected.“It’s the same thing. I looked it up in my Etiquette and Tax Deductionsfor Lawyers handbook . . .
Jenny, if this case develops anti-Semitic overtones, I can deal with them. I’m a big boy. Sticks and stones can break my bones, and all that shit . . .
Jesus, Zack, will you stop kidding around? We’ve had one dinner.”“Jesus? Name’s familiar … I can’t place it. Wasn’t he Jewish?
Have dinner with me tonight. I can fill you in on my conversation with Micah.”“And if I say no?” She wouldn’t have.“Then, I’ll keep my discussions with Micah to myself.”“Zack, that’s bribery.”“Sue me.
The sign on the ticket dispenser announced parking was $1.20 per twenty minutes, up to a maximum of $18.00. I should have gone into the parking lot business, less stress, more money.
Even the receptionist was new, a pretty, young, buxom blonde named Eden, according to her nameplate. Micah must have handpicked her from the Garden.
From your mouth to God’s ears. Let’s get these bastards.
Something happened here. I know it, and so do you. I will find out what, when, and to whom. Apparently, I'll have to find out the hard way, but I'll find out . . .
Weird—no one is this popular, There wasn't a single negative comment, which made Micah even more suspicious. Some sort of parishioner conspiracy of silence? Could the church organize everyone's silence on a grand scale? Can all church members be this loyal? Were they paid off?
We can’t have one rogue priest’s problems causing a major scandal.” Why don’t you send this guy to a monastery or something?
How could the church buy off a whole town?
He placed his coffee cup in the MKZ's fanncy cup holder and drove off. If the woman who sued McDonald's had an MKZ, she'd never have burned her crotch. Then again, she'd never have sued, and she would have all that dough. She could afford a Lincoln now.
Let me get this straight,” countered Zack. “You’re telling me there is some secret fellow in the church whose job it is to deal with molestation cases when they occur?
No, justice, simple justice. We tend to forget we went to law school to pursue justice for our clients. We get so caught up in the game of the law, we forget the purpose.
Whatever money can’t buy, a little leverage can buy, right?
Jennifer would turn down this indecent amount of money and more, put her own kids through a public trial, to protect other kids from experiencing the trauma they suffered. Incredible!
She thought of the old I Love Lucy television show and the Desi Arnez line: Lucy, you have some 'splaining to do.
Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, probation, no jail time . . . He knew fourth degree meant simple 'touching.' What was wrong with simple touching? Why would anyone be sent to prison for that? Ridiculous!
And that damn Jew lawyer! They thought he was a lightweight. They thought they could buy him off. All they did was piss him off, and he's better than they thought he'd be.
If he goes unpunished or the criminal court allows him to hide his conviction, yes, he could do it again . . .
Jennifer Tracey, a former client, called to discuss a case involving her two sons. Jennifer Tracey? Do I know her? Probably another crap case—teenage drunks? I'll call her tomorrow.
Thanks very much, Zack, and God bless you.” He hung up. God bless? That ship has sailed.
If he lands a good case, word on the street is he settles on the cheap, for the quick buck. Sources say he's lost his stomach for legal work . . . "
He seems perfect for us. One room on Eight Mile? Quite a fall. Probably needs fast money. We can use that to our advantage and accommodate him.
We wait. This man has skills. You don’t build a multi-million-dollar practice by being an idiot. The fact he’s had some hard times does not mean we should underestimate him . . .
The renaissance of Zack Blake at Renaissance Center, what a story! Maybe Mitch Albom will write a column.
Let them make the first offer. It might be higher than what I'd propose. Don't be anxious. After all, this is only the most crucial moment of your so-called life.
Sleeping with children is not within the scope of a priest’s employment.”“But an unsuspecting kid doesn’t know that. He trusts the priest to tell him what God likes or doesn’t like, isn’t that true? This is textbook apparent authority . . .
True enough, but with the number of young parishioners being molested by priests throughout the country, wouldn’t the church be wise not to send young male parishioners on camping trips with potential pedophiles?” Zack pressed. He could see himself trying this case.
I don’t think Jake and Kenny Tracey wanted to get that acquainted with Father Gerry Bartholomew,” Zack quipped.
Zack was breathless. He felt his professional composure going out the window. He expected and was willing to accept an offer of low six figures. Instead, their first offer was high six figures. He hit the mother lode. "The offer seems a tab light," Zack managed to counter. Was I convincing?
. . . You’re wasting my time. I think a jury will love this story.” Zack rose and began to leave. Please, God, stop me before I get to the door! “Hold on, Zack,” Walsh pleaded, turning to and conferring with the mystery man.Thank you, God!
This is a good resolution for all concerned. It was nice meeting you.” I’ve got to get out of here before I explode!
Zack let out the breath he'd been holding since he walked out of the conference room. Blake is back! Zack smiled. He would soon receive an almost four hundred-thousand-dollar fee for an interview, a letter, two phone calls, and a meeting. "I love this job . . .
It was God’s will. We were created in His image to enjoy marvelous physical pleasure. My calling is to teach the children as many of those pleasures as possible. God demands this of me. I’ve done nothing wrong.
What happened in his life to turn him into a depraved and callous individual? Did he become a priest because it afforded him fertile ground for young conquests? These questions might be answered during the upcoming criminal and civil trials.
Tracy v. Bartholomew was a tough, David v. Goliath type case.
Jennifer Tracey’s passion for justice ignited the spark of Zack’s competitive flame. He would be that Blake again, the kick-ass trial lawyer Blake. The church and that piece-of-shit priest are dead meat!
These were children. Gerry was their priest. Who could disagree that these children were not justified in trusting their priest? Nobody!
Because for her, money isn’t the issue. This is about revenge, payback, even worse, justice.
If Blake uncovers the truth, the Coalition and, perhaps the church, are finished." "Part two of this plan, then, is to make sure that never happens." "How do we accomplish that?" "By any means necessary.
A lawyer can’t try cases, go on vacation, or take sick days. The daily work is still there when he returns, waiting for him, like an unwanted visiting relative.
Focus, Blake! Everything will fall into place. What would I have if I lost this case? I'd have nothing, no one—same as before.
The jury would understand. The verdict must be joint and several—against all defendants. Otherwise, it would have no impact. The jury knows this, don't they? For the sake of the children, Zachary Blake had to make them understand.
. . . here I am, on some damn crusade to save the world’s children. I should have been thinking about saving my own. How can I protect other parents’ children when I can’t even protect my own?
. . . this predator used his position in furtherance of his crimes and disguised his depravity as a religious ritual. This man will soon reside in an Ohio prison, where he belongs. He is not only guilty of serious crimes against children. He is guilty of a serious betrayal of faith.
In the next few days, he’d receive his verdict. Win or lose, he feared Jennifer would soon be gone. He stood under the cascade, head down, until the water turned cold. Jennifer was correct, as usual. The money didn’t mean a damn thing.
According to my research for this case, pedophilia is a treatable, but incurable condition. The worst place for a pedophile is a church.
Zack was confident he secured a verdict against the priest. He was frantic that his efforts would fall short against the true financial source, the church. What good is an uncollectible seven or eight-figure verdict?
Your Honor,” the jury foreman began to read, “We the jury find in favor of the . . .
Clergy-parishioner child sexual abuse is a significant institutional epidemic that has seriously damaged the lives of hundreds of young parishioners throughout the United States and Canada. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been paid to silence victims of this institutional embarrassment.
I can’t clear these disgusting images from my mind! They are haunting me!
She adjusted her rearview mirror to look at her two silent sons. Kenny was glaring at Jake fiercely with one finger to his lips, silently ordering him quiet. A single tear ran down Kenny's cheek. The family drove home in silence. Something was terribly wrong.
Well . . . Gerry visited the family last night. He convinced Jennifer to let him up to the boys’ room to talk to them in private. Little did Jennifer suspect that the problem is the priest.
Who are you people? Who cares about arousing suspicion? I care about safety and welfare, especially of the children. Who is concerned for their well-being?
Somehow, he makes 'understood' sound like 'fuck you.
There are no perfect adults. We sin constantly and then forgive each other for our sins. There are no perfect fathers, no perfect mothers, no perfect priests.
Rothenberg was dumbfounded, shocked speechless. He was retained to provide treatment in a fourth-degree fondling case. This was far worse. This is a first-degree case. These boys were raped! The floodgates opened—details were pouring out now.
This monster needs to be locked up. Where did this predator come from? Has he done this before? How many young boys has he traumatized? How could the church expose unsuspecting children to such a man?
She’ll be angry,” Kenny argued. “She’ll be mad at me for not protecting Jake. That’s my job.”Tough job for someone so young . . .
But why? Who would do such a thing?” Jennifer puzzled, astonished.“I’m not sure yet who they are or exactly what their function is. My sense is they minimize the impact of these kinds of events and limit damage to the church,” Rothenberg surmised.“You have got to be kidding!
Uber drivers, summoned by phone, awaited them and drove them to the restaurant. This 'sleight of hand' was Father Jon's idea. Jennifer felt like an actress in a James Bond movie, but she appreciated the subterfuge.
What makes you think he’s done this before? He’s not been prosecuted. I’d bet the church could even bury prosecutions if it wants to . . .
So, if a molester arranges to have his file sealed in exchange for a guilty plea, he could be transferred by the church, and if the pastor of the new church wanted to check his record, he wouldn’t have one?
There comes a time in the life of every attorney when he or she has two fundamental questions: Why do I need this shit? Is this why I went to law school?
Are we interrupting your late-morning nap, Mr. Blake?” District Court Judge Emma Pearl inquired, with a harsh tone and an insistent expression.
Suddenly polite and cherubic, Judge Pearl addressed the defendant, a voting citizen. "Mr. Jordan, have you had a chance to meet with your attorney?
Blake turned meekly from the bench. The gallery, made up primarily of other attorneys, whispered, muttered, and snickered. They pointed at him and whispered to each other, hand over mouth. Zachary waded through them, enduring their snickers and taunts in utter humiliation.
Zachary Blake lost his practice, his wife and kids, his home, and his money. He was at rock bottom in only three short years. He also lost the most valuable possession of any successful trial lawyer. Zachary Blake lost his will to fight. His luck, however, was about to change.
Knowledge Strategy Execution
Motivation is a byproduct of action, not the catalyst for it.
Control your thoughts or your thoughts will control you.
Today is a new day. Stop living in the past.
Focus on the step in front of you, not the whole staircase.
You attract what you are, not what you want. If you want great, then be great.
Your goals should scare you a little and excite you a lot.
