Personalized Gift Giving, a Timeless Tradition

by: Jay B Stockman
The tradition of gift giving appears to originate from the Roman practice of presenting the Emperor, and each other with good luck tokens. At first these gifts were simple, such as a few twigs from a sacred bush, or a variety of foods. As it ultimately happens, this practice broadened in an effort to receive special favors or to impress, so that more precious gifts were given, clothing, gold or silver items. While most of this giving was done on a voluntary basis, history has had its share of leaders who did their best to make gift giving mandatory. By the late nineteenth century the simple and non-materialistic gift giving tradition had began to dwindle away. Gift giving had begun to take on a very commercial face, and was becoming a booming industry. Today, the gifts and decorative accessories market reached sales of $35.97 billion.
Throughout the world, many cultures mark their special holidays, or occasions with gifts and food. As a result, the etiquette of gift giving is very important. A general lack of cultural knowledge can lead to misunderstandings which may result in an insult rather than a gift. In any case, gifts are all about expressing a sense of gratitude, happiness, and plentitude. Gifts can be classic, gifts can be personalized, even a little humorous, but the ones which are funny, clever, and useful are the ones that are remembered.
Giving and receiving gifts properly is an important part of business. Rewarding employees, or associates is a vital instrument of good business. Making full disclosures, and open declarations of this intent maintains the moral fiber of this practice. When there is secrecy or deception involved, this tears at that moral fiber, and destroys the true value, and morals of gift giving. Without question, this behavior should not be tolerated.
Gift giving has become a time-honored tradition that seems to become more deeply rooted with time. Over time, this wonderful tradition has grown more complicated and more stressful. On occasion, the original purpose behind the tradition gets clouded, and the gift giving takes on a life of its own. Nevertheless, gift giving will always touch our hearts in a very special way.
About the Author
Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Personalized Gift Ideas Visit http://newpersonalized-gifts.com/ for more information.

The Endearing Language of Flowers

By Jay B Stockman
The fascination with flowers have captivated, and charmed people world wide. They represent a form of life that has endured evolution, and continues to flourish. With a diversity of colors, forms, scents, and uses, flowers have been revered by generations of admirers, and enthusiasts alike. Throughout history flowers have been the perfect form of expression, when words were hard to find. The language of flowers is a language of love, endearment, and respect. The truly popularity of flowers lies in their ability to bring joy, and good cheer.
The first flowering plants found were tiny herb-like flower fossils dating back 120 million years. An innumerable number of images of preserved flowers and flower parts have been found in fossils located all over the world. According to scientists, there are over 270,000 species of flowers that have been documented and are living in the twenty-first century. Scientists continue to marvel over the amazing diversity of species, and the species that have not changed much during evolution. Many flowers have coevolved with their pollination animals.
The flower is the reproductive organ of a plant. It is the job of the flower to produce seeds through fertilization, and pollination. Pollination requires animals (bees, hummingbirds, etc.), wind, or water to transfer male pollen to the female ovule. After a flower is fertilized, it develops into a fruit containing seeds. These seeds are the next generation, and serve as the means by which species of plants are dispersed across a field. Cross breeding can occur, and this leads to the enormous diversities seen.

The alluring nature of flowers has made them subjects of folklore, and poetry. Their medicinal use has been embraced by the east for centuries. A flower’s fragrance is its personality, a beautiful bouquet of scents that permeate even the worst form of pollution. Flowers have been associated with religious symbolism, the lily signifying purity for example. The diversity of shapes and colors makes them the perfect decoration, and the perfect gift. The likelihood of two people having the same color, shape arrangement is very remote. Edible flowers have been used in the culinary field for flavor and garnish for many years.

It is clear that flowers do have a very endearing language. A language that is universal, without borders. A language that contains no negativity, nor prejudice. An unconditional way of expressing a feeling so deep, that words could never convey the true meaning. Regardless of the situation, the sight of a flower will always solicit a smile, and a sense of warmth.

For more information: http://sendflowersite.com/

The Ubiquitous Cell Phone, an Evolution in Telecommunications

Jay B Stockman
The ubiquitous cell phone has revolutionized the way people communicate. Communication has become more efficient, and way more accessible. Gone are the days of searching for a pay phone, and then searching for those evasive quarters. Cell phones have evolved from a large, one-dimensional device to its present multi dimensional, small form. They keep millions of people in touch with business, family and friends. In addition, they are proven to be very valuable during times of emergency. Contemporary cell phones perform many functions, access to the Internet, access to streaming data, video cameras, and entertainment. They are clearly a great way to communicate, and in some cases are replacing traditional telephones.
In 1843 Michael Faraday did a series of experiments that ultimately lead to the underlining principals of today’s cell phones. By 1947, a crude mobile phone was developed, and in 1977 cell phones went public. The city of Chicago was where the first service was started with around 2000 subscribers. The term cell phone originated from the use of many base stations to divide service areas into multiple cells. These multiple cells allowed for a wider range of coverage, and a greater call volume. The 1980’s saw a genuine proliferation of cell phone use, and by the 1990s analog signals were being replaced by digital signals.
Like televisions, computers, and all other electrical devices, mobile phones emit electromagnetic radiation. The fear was that these devices were being held to close to an individual’s head, and this radiation could cause some form of brain cancer. In a 1999 study, investigators at the Orebro Medical Centre in Sweden compared the past mobile phone use of 209 Swedish brain tumor patients and 425 healthy people. The study found no mobile phone/brain cancer link in virtually all respects, cancer researcher John E. Moulder, Ph.D., says. All the available scientific evidence does not show that any health problems are associated with using wireless phones in adults, children, and teenagers. In spite of this, prudent precautions should be exercised. These include taking measures to move the cell phone antenna at least eight inches away from your head by using hands-free sets, remote earpieces and microphones, or installing radiation shields for hand held phones.
In spite of the unbelievable demand for cell phones, it took cellular phone service 37 years total to become commercially accessible in the US, according to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association. Today there are more than 60 million customers with cell phones, in spite of the fact that wireless service was just developed nearly 50 years ago. The cellular business was a $3 million market 25 years ago and has grown exponentially to close to a $30 billion per year industry, and projections far exceed those numbers.

Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Online Cell Phone Resources Visit http://cheapcellphoneonline.com/ for more information.

Diabetes, Recognizing the Signs, and Symptoms

By: Dr. Jay B Stockman O.D.
Do you find yourself going to the bathroom more than usual? Are you unusually hungry or thirsty? Is fatigue a normal, everyday feeling? Does spontaneous, blurred vision interfere with you daily life? If this sounds like you, you may have Diabetes. Diabetes effects over sixteen million Americans, and many people are unaware they have it. Every day, 2,200 new cases of Diabetes are diagnosed in the United States. Diabetes is characterized by a high level of sugar in the blood, as a result of defective insulin secretion, or insulin resistance. Although we tend to group all people with Diabetes together, the truth is that there are two different types of Diabetes that are similar in their elevated blood sugar, but different in many other ways.
Type 1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed in children, and young adults. It is characterized by the Pancreas’ inability to produce insulin. It is thought that this inability arises from an autoimmune condition. Basically the body is killing its own insulin producing cells. The symptoms of type 1 Diabetes are very obvious, frequent urination, increased thirst, and weight loss. The onset is usually abrupt, and severe. In addition, having type 1 Diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications, heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, and kidney damage
Treatment consists of intermediate or long-acting insulin (taken once or twice daily) with fast- or rapid-acting insulin injections taken at mealtimes. Type 2 Diabetes often develops rather insidiously, showing few or no symptoms. The symptoms are similar to type 1, however they develop gradually over time. This may explain why it often goes undetected at first. The cells of the body being resistant to insulin characterize the most common form of diabetes, type 2. The Pancreas still produces insulin, however the body cannot use it efficiently. Type 2 usually develops in men or women over 40 years of age, characterized by obesity, and lack of physical activity. In particular, people who are an "apple-shape" - with lots of fat around the abdomen - are at greater risk of developing diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes runs in families, and is particularly common among people of African-Caribbean or Asian origin. Similarly, having type 2 Diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications, as type 1. Unlike type 1, type 2 Diabetes can usually be controlled with diet, exercise or medicines.
If you suspect you may have Diabetes, it is important to see your doctor, especially if you fall into any of the categories previously mentioned. Discovering you have Diabetes is frightening, don't panic, people with Diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives. Eat right and exercise. It's a simple prescription that will keep you healthy, whether you have diabetes or not.
About the Author
Dr. Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Vision Update, http://visionupdate.net/, and a practicing Doctor of Optometry. He has extensive experience in Diabetes Management.