A New Years Resolution: YES or NO?Written by Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
Publishing Guidelines: You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as  resource box is included with a live link to my site. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. ***********************************************************Title: A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION: YES or NO? Author: Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW Email: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.com copyright: by Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW Web Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.com Word Count: 561 Category: Self-Help A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION: YES or NO? I've heard it said that by end of January, over 90% of individuals who make New Years resolutions don't remember what they were. Why is this so? People are often sincere, however, they are not yet in right place for big changes in their lives. Many others want to continue same behaviors, such as eating wrong things, and still reap rewards of increased levels of energy and weight loss. The most important question for you is... are you ready for a change? And, if answer is "yes," second question is... how ready are you? You have your own pace. I respect that in you. I hope you do too. Too many folks know they need to make a change and beat themselves up because they are not on schedule they feel they "should" be on. You're on schedule you're on. The "New Year" provides symbolism for "clearing out old" and "bringing in new." In that capacity alone, it is a golden opportunity for a fair review of your life. But, if there's one thing I'd wish for you it would be that this year you take your learning to a new level. A year is too long to wait to complete a personal inventory. Several of you will have a few too many drinks on New Years Eve to really be serious about personal change. And life truly is too short. Do you only clean your house once each year? I suggest you utilize symbolism of New Year to evaluate your life every 3-6 months.
| | How to Choose Fine PearlsWritten by Amanda Raab
Pearls are very alluring and hold a quality that both defines elegance and natural beauty. There are more varieties and availability of pearls today than ever before. The “cultured pearl” now rivals with fine diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. Today most pearls are cultured, meaning that mollusk is purposely inserted with an irritant or “nucleus” from which it creates a pearl. A better way to think of difference between natural pearls and cultured pearls is to think of natural pearl as a result of mollusk working alone and cultured pearls as a product of nature being helped by science. Cultured pearls are not “fake” like many people may think. The culturing process takes from two to three years and is a very delicate process. The pearl farmers have little control on what outcome of pearl will look like or if mollusk will reject nucleus. Not all pearls are fine quality or even desirable at all. The end result is ultimately a consequence of nature. Choosing pearls that are of best quality are determined by luster, nacre thickness and quality (the outer layer), color, surface perfection, shape, and size. The biggest factor of pearl quality is nacre thickness and quality which determines how long pearl will last. Nacre thickness determines longevity of pearl and nacre quality determines how light reflects through layers of pearls. High luster and iridescence come from high quality nacre and any pearl with these characteristics has quality, thick nacre. When judging nacre look for uniform iridescence, intensity of luster, cracks and peeling, estimate thickness near drill hole between nacre and shell bead (nacre is lighter). Pearls are very thick with at least .5 mm on all pearls, thick with at least.5mm on most pearls, medium with between .35 and .5 mm on most pearls, and thin with .25 mm or less on most pearls. Luster is also important and one of first factors to notice. Luster is an intense brightness that illuminates from within pearl rather than just being “shiny” like in imitation pearls. The intense brightness results from light being reflected throughout numerous layers of nacre. Quality pearls will have a sharp contrast between brightest area where direct light is hitting pearls and shaded area creating an illusion of a “ball within pearl.” Check for luster by examining them under a fluorescent lamp and rolling them from side to side to examine uniform luster. Examine pearls over a light gray or white material and never black because it is harder to see true quality of pearl. Pearl color is also important. When choosing pearls note there body color and overtones. The most desirable and more rare white pearls have “rose” colored overtones. Cream colored pearls are more affordable because they are less rare. Also, pearls can have tones rated in intensity. Darker toned pearls are more desirable and expensive compared to lighter toned pearls. Many natural body colors are available in pearls including white, black, gray, blue, gold, pink, and green. Distinctive colored pearls are rarer and harder to find. Have a qualified gemologist check pearls to make sure they have not been dyed, especially for costlier pearls like black or golden varieties.
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