by ERIN SHARPLIN LOVE

erinlove@panachebyerin.com

January is typically the time when you are supposed to set new goals and make lists of things that you want to start doing, but let’s do things a little differently this year! Instead of making a list of all of the things that you want to start doing, make a list of all the things that you want to stop doing. In order to make a change, you must make a conscious effort to substitute new behavior for old. Nothing changes, if nothing changes. Let’s do this! Below is a list of the things that you might want to stop doing in 2023:

Stop rushing. Do you always feel rushed and stressed? It seems to be a constant for me these days, but it can be stopped. I am and will always be a proponent for being prepared. Preparation saves time and makes small tasks easier and less stressful. Life happens and therefore opportunities to get derailed happen, too-- even for an over-preparer. So, beginning now, stop rushing and get back on track to being prepared for whatever may happen. This means staying ahead of the game by creating and maintaining lists and tasks for every aspect of life – home,finances, kids, work, social, self and so on. Make lists based on your life and needs.

Unfortunately, there will be some things that you must say no to in order to maintain a healthy and fulfilling life. I am the world’s worst at not wanting to say no, so I know how hard this one is going to be. One of the best quotes I have heard in relation to this tip is, “When you say yes to one thing, you are saying no to something else.” Ask yourself what you are saying no to each time the opportunity arises and you will find it easier to decline. The good news is that you can say yes to more when you successfully master the first step – stop rushing and get prepared.

Stop complaining. Next time you find yourself complaining about something, stop and ask yourself what you can do to solve the issue. For instance, are you complaining about your children not doing something? If possible, don’t complete the task for them. Have them do it immediately when they get home from school. Are you complaining about a coworker? Address the issue immediately. Complaining never makes anything better.

Stop wasting time. There are so many things that require our attention almost every second of the day – email, social media, cooking, cleaning, family,

Which, if any, of these things speak to you the most? What will be on your Stop doing list for 2023? Please share! erinlove@panachebyerin.com friends , work etc. Devise a plan to manage these things instead of letting them manage you and, therefore, waste your time. Time is a precious commodity and should be used wisely. Figure this out, and you will be able to accomplish anything! “There is never enough time to do all the nothing that you want.” (Bill Watterson)

Perfection is a hard habit to maintain. I know this from experience. I love for everything to be as close to perfect as possible, and when I can’t make it happen, I feel guilty for days afterward. When I make a mistake, I am even harder on myself. Although I think striving to be and do the best you can is a positive attribute, it shouldn’t have negative consequences. Anytime you are critical of yourself, it gets harder and harder to be positive. Know that you are doing the best you can and that no one is perfect. Mistakes happen, and how you learn from them is the way to put a positive spin on a negative.

Stop waiting on the “right” time. The timing is never going to be right. Do it now! Period.

You are uniquely you, and no one else can be you or anything like you. Likewise, you will never be like other people, so stop comparing yourself to them. Instead, continue to strive to be the best you that you can be.

Stop worrying. Worrying about what might happen is making it more likely for that thing to become reality. Have you have heard of manifesting? Worrying is manifesting something that you don’t want to happen! Stop worrying and start making things happen.

by Guy Miller. Vice Chair Emeritus, Chennault Aviation and Military Museum

It didn’t have to happen but it did. And it was the loser’s fault.

By August 1814 Great Britain and the United States had initiated negotiations to end what is now called the War of 1812. The British War Minister, however, did not want to miss any opportunities for gain during the negotiations. He especially wanted an opportunity to claim the American purchase of the Louisiana Territory was null and void and the land belonged to Britain. Accordingly he ordered General Sir Edward Pakenham to continue the war despite any rumors of peace.

In December the British captured five American gunboats in Lake Borgne then invaded the Louisiana coast east of New Orleans. The road to New Orleans was wide open but no reconnaissance was made to find that opportunity. Instead the British marched overland along Bayou Bienvenu and by the morning of December 23rd reached the east bank of the Mississippi about nine miles south of the city. Again the city could be taken by continuing up an undefended river road but the invaders decided to make camp and wait for the arrival of reinforcements. That same night the combatants fought on the plantation land below the city. This battle ended in a stalemate but the British were thrown off balance by the unexpected American attack. Making things worse, when the British came to the plantation home of Major Gabriel Villeré, he escaped through a window and went to warn General Andrew Jackson, commander of the American forces, of the approaching enemy and its current disposition. The failure of the British to exploit the open road opportunities gave Jackson time to harass the British while strengthening his defensive positions.

In truth, the British failure was moot because the next day, December 24th, American and British commissioners meeting in Ghent, Belgium signed a peace treaty that ended the war. In 1814 there was no method faster than crossing the ocean on a ship that could get the news to Generals Pakenham and Jackson. Not knowing the war was over, the British continued to press their assault on New Orleans.

To defend the city against Pakenham’s 8000 troops, Jackson had an army of 4732 men. He had brought or enlisted 968 Army regulars, 58 Marines, 106 Navy seamen, 1060 Louisiana militia and volunteers including 462 free blacks, 1352 Tennessee militia, 986 Kentucky militia, 150 Mississippi militia, and 52 Choctaw warriors. Deciding defeating the British outweighed “other concerns” he even accepted help from Jean Lafitte and the pirates who conducted smuggling and privateering operations out of nearby Barataria Bay. Lafitte had been contacted by the British who wanted the pirates as as allies and waterway guides. While pretending to consider the offer, Lafitte slipped away to meet with the American officials. Jackson was willing to give Lafitte and his men amnesty for past offenses in return for supplies and volunteering their artillery expertise in support of the American cause.

Jackson’s chosen location for the defense of New Orleans was the Rodriguez Canal, a ten-foot-wide water wheel stream that was connected to the Mississippi River near Chalmette Plantation.

Jackson made a defensive trench by widening the canal then used the excavated dirt to build a seven-foot-tall earthen rampart. He buttressed this with logs and large mud-coated cotton bales to protect his batteries of cannons. “Line Jackson” as it was now called stretched nearly a mile from the east bank of the Mississippi until it ended at a almost impassable swamp to the north.

The American forces split into two defensive positions. Jackson took command of the eastern bank of the Mississippi with almost 4,000 troops and 24 cannons stretched behind the rampart he had built along the canal. On the western bank of the river General David Morgan had almost 1,000 troops and 16 cannons to prevent the British from trying to cross the river and flanking the main American army. As the British probed the American defenses there were several small-scale skirmishes between the forces. One of these skirmishes on New Year’s Day turned into a significant American victory when British casualties outnumbered those on the American side by more than two to one.

The deciding battle took place on January 8, 1815. It is this day that is commemorated as the Battle of New Orleans day of victory.

The doomed British attack got underway before sunrise. On the west bank, British light troops led by Colonel Robert Rennie swarmed over an isolated redoubt. As the American defenders scattered, Rennie had barely shouted in triumph when a shot from across the river killed him. With their colonel gone his troops frantically tried to retreat but were cut down in a hail of musket balls and grapeshot.

On the British left, the attackers were stopped in their tracks by an American fusillade. British General Gibbs was mortally wounded in this attack so Pakenham attempted to rally his troops but then was also hit by an American volley. With the British commander fallen the remnants of the British force withdrew beyond the range of the American guns. Of the 3,000 British troops making the assault 2,000 had become casualties in less than 30 minutes including three generals and seven colonels.

Unable to continue, the British withdrew and New Orleans was safe. The war was over before the battle had begin but this decisive American victory left no doubt as to the strength of American resolve.