Chocolate Rave

A paradox of American life is that individualism and conformity seem to go hand in hand. There is a strong cultural imperative that demands individual freedoms, including the freedom to express unique personalities and preferences. At the same time, there is a desire to be just like everyone else — to belong to a massive group of people who are similar. The idea of one size fits all speaks to this in a distinct way. Consumers want to to know they are normal, but in reality they are all shaped differently and have different needs.

When it comes to medical treatment, there are certain things that are somewhat universal, like over the counter medications , but for treatment to be effective, it should be tailored to the individual patient. This is especially true with items like CPAP machines, which are designed to help patients breathe properly as they sleep.

For CPAP equipment to work, it needs to fit the physical conditions of the individual. This means that doctors will order a machine that is calibrated to the specific patient, which is why a sleep study always precedes a CPAP prescription. They will also order a mask that fits the patient’s face and may recommend special headgear or custom pillows to make sleeping with the equipment more comfortable.

While there aren’t an infinite number of CPAP configurations, there are clear distinctions between some machines, masks, and other supplies. It is extremely important that patients follow their doctor’s instructions and not worry about conforming.

Kids can be quite picky. You can spend days or even weeks choosing the perfect present for a niece or grandchild only to have them set it aside in order to play with pots and pans or an empty cardboard box. When they do find something they love, however, they will become so attached that separating them from the object can result in tears and tantrums. If you strive to give that type of gift, you need to keep a very open mind and use your imagination .

Children will potentially treasure any gift — if you can get them to attach meaning to it. Flashy, shiny, and pretty only go so far in winning a child’s heart. They want to care about the thing, whether it is a stuffed animal, a toy instrument, a country wall map or a board game.

It is possible for kids to treasure a map. It seems counterintuitive, as maps can’t be cuddled or played with. However, a custom map that relates to something the kid already loves or gives flight to their imagination and sense of adventure can become the focal point of their bedroom. They will literally sit in front of the map for hours spinning stories about faraway places or fall asleep gazing at the map every night — and remembering that it came from you.