It's easy to fill every waking moment of your free time with smartphone apps, social media browsing, TV, books, hobbies, and more, but it isn't always a good idea. Sometimes what you need isn't a distraction, it's a moment to yourself. There isn't a lot of free time in the day, for most people, but it isn't hard to find a couple of five-minute windows where you can drop everything and be alone with your thoughts. Use your empty time to think about whatever you want, or just lay back and look at the patterns on your ceiling or the leaves on a tree near your window. Don't fill it with anything that requires your attention to be enjoyed, such as a book or a smartphone. Even the most overworked adult can find half an hour once a week to set aside for quiet meditation and reflection. Meditation is a powerful technique for organizing your thoughts and feelings, and all it requires is a quiet spot without many distractions. Sit comfortably and focus on your breathing until the rest of your thoughts become quiet. That way, you can go over them without feeling overwhelmed by them. This is also a great time to set weekly goals or remind yourself of tasks that need to be completed soon, such as shopping trips and yard work. Feel free to keep a pad of paper and a pen or pencil close at hand when you meditate, so you can list and organize everything that comes up. You can use your notes to help guide the week ahead, reducing chaos. Often, people worry about things they have limited control over, such as whether or not they got a new job (after an interview) or what a new acquaintance really thought of them. These worries are hard to help completely, even though it's obvious that worrying won't change their outcomes. However, that doesn't mean you can't do your best to remind yourself not to worry. Make a conscious effort to focus your attention elsewhere, and let events take their course as best you can. Try to respect yourself. If something doesn't work out the way you'd hoped, review the course of events in your head and try to focus on what you did right or how hard you tried, rather than “where you messed up.” Chances are, the results had little to do with your actions, and more to do with those of others. If you endlessly self-criticize, you'll only worry more the next time a similar situation comes up (and be more likely to make a nervous mistake). Believe that you did your best, and that you'll do your best next time as well. There's no good reason to fret over things that have already come and gone.

Summary: Cultivate empty moments. Take time to clear your head. Be rational.


Many states have court-approved forms you can use for your motion to dismiss so you don't have to format the document yourself.  You typically can find forms available for download by visiting the website for the state court system or the state's highest court. Forms also may be available at the websites of state legal aid societies. Paper forms typically are available at the clerk's offices of individual courts. You must use the correct size paper with the correct margins for all court documents.  You typically can find these state or local rules on the court's website. The rules also may have a sample or document template that you can use as a guide.  Generally, you should use standard 8.5 x 11 white paper with one-inch margins all the way around. Some courts may have different margin specifications for the first page. Some courts may require you to use a special "pleading paper," which contains line numbers down the left-hand side. Most word processing applications such as Microsoft Word have pleading paper templates you can use.  Set up your footer to print consecutive page numbers at the bottom of each page.  Use a common font such as Times New Roman or Arial in a 12-point size, and double-space your text. Make sure you're set to print your document using black ink. Your caption identifies the case to which your document applies, and must be identical to the caption for the complaint in the case.  The caption includes the court name and location, the names of the parties in the case, and the case or file number assigned by the court.  You also can copy the format of the caption on the complaint so everything is in the right place on the page. At the top of your motion you must include a title that identifies the purpose of the document for the court.  The title can be as simple as "Defendant's Motion to Dismiss" or can include the reason you want the court to dismiss the case, such as "Defendant's Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim."  Traditionally, the title is centered on the page in all caps. It also may be bolded or underlined. Check the court's rules or look at other documents filed in the same court to get a sense of the style that court uses. Your signature block gives you space to sign your motion and provides your legal name and contact information.  Typically you want to leave about four lines, or two double-spaced lines, for your signature. Make a solid black line to sign, then type your name directly below the line.  Under your name, you should type your address. You also may want to include your phone number and your email address.  Your signature block also should include a line and space for you to write the date on which you signed the motion. Depending on the court, you may need to attach other documents such as a certificate of service or a notice of hearing. These forms generally are available in the clerk's office.  If you've found a packet of court-approved forms to use for your motion to dismiss, any additional documents should be included.  Certificates of service and notices of hearing always use the same format, but you'll have to put in the name and address of the other party, as well as your own name and address.  Leave the date and time of the hearing on the notice blank. The clerk of court will fill those in when the hearing is scheduled.

Summary: Search for forms. Set up your page. Create your caption. Title your motion. Create your signature block. Add other pages as necessary.


In case you've decided to make changes to your lights after you've put up your tree, you should remove the lights for safety and ease of access. Anytime you need to replace a bulb in a strand of lights, you should always find a replacement bulb with the same voltage as the original. Look under the tag on the strand of lights to find voltage information. Some light strands blink because they have special bulbs that twinkle. If that's the case with your lights, you can get rid of the twinkle feature by switching out the bulbs. Oftentimes, the bulbs that blink on these strands will be marked with red or silver tips. However, if they aren't marked, plug in the strand, let it warm up, and use a small piece of masking tape to mark each blinking bulb. First, unplug the lights. Then, for each blinking bulb, hold the bulb by the base (where the light attaches to the strand) and pull out the bulb and the bottom casing. Remove the bulbs from the casing. If you have trouble removing the bulb and casing, use a screwdriver to pry the light out. For every blinking bulb that you removed, you want to replace it with a non-blinking bulb. Insert the new bulb into the case, making sure the two wires on the end go through the holes in the bottom of the case.  Fold the wires back so they rest against the side of the casing. When you have finished, reinsert the new bulb and casing back into the base. When you have replaced all the blinking bulbs and returned them all to their bases on the light strand, plug in the lights and test them. Give them a few minutes to warm up.
Summary: Remove the lights from the tree. Find replacement bulbs. Locate the blinking bulbs. Remove the bulbs. Replace the bulbs. Test the lights.