Our minds are extremely powerful. What we focus on has the utmost influence over our bodies, and our entire reality... “As a man thinketh, so is he.” I am walking, talking proof of this!
In a past season in my life, I had a constant negative thought loop, and it was poisoning my whole body! I shudder to reminisce on the torture I put myself through, as well as others around me. My “stinkin’ thinkin’” was completely holding me back from the life I wanted because my mind was in the absolute gutter. To make matters complicated, at the time, I didn’t even realize I was in the middle of a mental wasteland.
Once the lightbulb turned on for me, things started to change. Of course, the health journey I embarked on is rooted in the big three- physical activity, sleep prioritization, and better food choices. But by “up-dosing Vitamin G,” practicing daily GRATITUDE, I am far removed from my former self. Thinking and speaking appreciation has been the biggest elevator for me.
It is important to note that I still think negatively sometimes. If I am not careful, I can go down a dark hole, so I have implemented positive habits that fuel my positive thoughts, making it easier to stay in the attitude of gratitude. Here are a few things that have worked for me:
Therapy: This was my first step towards self-love. Thank You Dr. Renea!
Church: Reading the word, hearing sermons, and worshiping. Thank you, Pastor Camp.
Reading: Consistently reading personal development books. Thank you fellow book nerds!
Exercise: Endorphins are my friends. After the burn, it’s hard to be in a bad mood.
Practice: Being thankful EVERY DAY for everything I have, down to the tiniest detail of my life!
If you are in a season of negativity, I encourage you to implement a system that works for you. Practice being a Gratitude Guru, it WILL improve how you move through life. Never go without your daily dose of Vitamin G!
Gratefully yours,
Tristan Evans
Insurance Defined:
Minimum Earned Premium
Minimum Earned Premium (MEP) or (MP) is the amount of money the insurance company keeps, no matter what, including if you cancel the policy early.
If your annual premium is $50,000 with a 25% minimum earned premium, canceling after one month still costs $12,500, even though you only “used” about $4,100. Insurers do this to cover upfront underwriting and admin costs, and it’s common in non-standard markets.
Book Recommendations
'Goliath Must Fall''by Louie Giglio
We all face giants—fear, rejection, anger, or addiction—that hold us back from living freely. Demoralized and defeated, we settle for far less than his best. This book offers hope and a reminder that through faith, those giants can fall.
'The Dichotomy of Leadership' by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
Drawing lesson from their training experiences in the SEAL Teams and vignettes from the business arena, Willink and Babin provide leadership concepts and demonstrate how each applies on the battlefield, in business, and in life.
Quick Reference Guide:
Insurance Waivers
What are insurance waivers? Insurance waivers are documents or agreements where a person or entity voluntarily gives up the right to certain insurance coverage or benefits. Essentially, by signing a waiver, an individual acknowledges that they understand and accept stated risks and agree not to hold the insurer or organization responsible for any resulting losses, injuries, and/or damages.
How they help with claims:
1. Limits liability for ordinary accidents tied to an activity.
2. Proves the person knew and accepted the risks.
Do waivers stop insurance claims?
No. A waiver doesn’t prevent claims, but it helps protect you by showing the risk was acknowledged.
Limits of waivers
1. They don’t protect against gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional harm.
2. Enforceability varies by state and depends on how clear and fair the waiver is.
3. Minors or those lacking capacity may not be bound; a parent’s signature isn’t always enough.
4. Confusing or unclear language can render a waiver unenforceable.
Waiver Impact in Action:
Gym Injury Lawsuit
Incident:
A woman sued her trainer and gym after a neck injury, alleging the trainer pushed her too hard and ignored pain complaints. However, prior to using the facility, she had signed a liability waiver that clearly stated the gym and staff were not responsible for injuries arising from participation, including from negligence. It also asked any participant to acknowledge the inherent risks of exercise.
Result:
The court ruled for the gym and trainer, finding the waiver clear, specific, and voluntarily signed, which barred her negligence claim. The decision leaned on the waiver’s detailed risk language and the fact she had the opportunity to read and understand it before signing.
Leah Faddis | Owner
Tuscan Oaks Estate
Leah Faddis is a creative entrepreneur, in Weatherford, Texas, where she and her husband, Spencer, run Tuscan Oaks Estate, Leah Marie Photography & Videography, and Spark Event Staffing. What began as a love for storytelling through photography has grown into designing spaces and experiences that bring celebrations to life.
A defining moment in Leah’s career was landing her first high-volume photography contract. Until then her success relied on hard work, word of mouth, and creativity. That partnership gave her the stability, exposure, and confidence to scale. That experience shaped how she led her team through expansion, refining systems to operate at a much larger level.
"If you show up prepared, lead with integrity, and trust God with the outcome, opportunities don’t just appear—they multiply."
Failure has been one of Leah’s greatest teachers. Every “no,” every setback, and every closed door has refined her. Leah has learned to set her ego aside, pivot quickly, and carry forward the lessons that make the next venture stronger. To Leah, failure isn’t the opposite of success — it’s the foundation of it.
