Here is a Method that is Helping to Swing Doors Open

What I believe: Flowers open hearts.

When you receive flowers, the doors of your heart swing open. When you give flowers, doors swing open in response. Expressing love and kindness through flowers - to a friend, family member or lover - is faster and less complicated than words and communicates so much about you, too. Research proves, as I always believed, that flower givers are thought of as caring and loving people who appreciate beauty.

I'm also a firm believer that the amount of love you have in your life starts with the amount of love you have for yourself. So, in addition to giving flowers to others, remember to give flowers to yourself too. Research shows that flowers make people happier; make yourself happier and include flowers as a part of your daily self-love practice!

What follows is my advice for building loving relationships, sending love spontaneously and instantly improving the mood of a friend or loved one. Also there to help is your
florist, who's like that friend-in-the-know who has the best advice and the hottest tips, who you can always rely on to help you add that special touch.

Flowers at Work

By now, we know the ability of flowers to instantly boost our mood. Who doesn't need that at work? Here are a few ways flowers can work overtime:

* Deliver flowers to a colleague's desk for an unexpected friendship surprise.
* Say thank you to co-workers who've put in extra time.
* Apologize for a missed deadline.
* Keep flowers on your desk just to freshen up your space.
* Or on Monday, pick up a bunch of flowers to keep a group space cheerful all week long.



Flowers for Romantic Relationships

Sending flowers to a romantic partner is a natural way to express your emotions - with an added bonus. Flowers show how special and caring you are, too. The truth is that great relationships take love and care, not hard work. If you step out of your busy life, and take a moment to be spontaneous with the simple gift of flowers, you'll be surprised with how much love you get in return.
My first - and perhaps best - piece of advice is to surprise your love with flowers in unexpected places in unanticipated ways. For instance, put the flowers in a place that your love won't immediately see them, but instead discovers them by surprise. Or, have flowers put on her office desk before she gets into work for the morning. Flowers coupled with the element of surprise are a match made in heaven. If you, for instance, put a flower on the passenger seat of your love's car, when she sets off to start her day, glances over and sees your gift, WOW! her entire day just changed. It got the stamp of a smile from you.

Smart lovers know that flowers are like bursts of love you can give any day of the year to create a deeper intimacy with the people you love. No matter how busy life gets, or what challenges you face, remember the bond between you is what matters most. Think beyond tradition, and send her (or him) flowers that remind you of a memory only the two of you have. Did you meet in spring? Fresh tulips or a mix of spring blooms might be the key. Does she have a sunny personality? Sunflowers or flowers in bright, cheerful colors will make her take notice. You get the idea. Flowers can signify so much - it's just up to you to make your move.

Finally, when you order flowers, tell your florist what statement you want the flowers to make. From a tender "you're sweet" to a more direct "I think you're hot," and anywhere in-between, a floral arrangement can be designed to communicate your feelings, and your florist can be your cupid any time, all the time.



Flowers for Friendships

One of the best-kept secrets is that a gift of flowers from one friend to another is the perfect fit, and the flower power can be immense. Pick a flower or flowers that remind you of your friend's unique spirit, and include a note linking the flower to them. One of the greatest gifts you can give a person is the gift of really seeing them, especially at the times that matter most.

There is something magical about sharing your life's path with a friend for those important milestones... marking special times with flowers will keep you in their memories forever. Congratulate them on a professional achievement, a baby or anything new, or send a big dose of love when they really need it most, after a break-up or a spell of bad news.

The time to build a friendship is when it's strong, so one of my favorite times to express my appreciation is when they're least expecting it.

Christine Arylo, author of Choosing ME Before WE, inspires women to get the success and happiness they want by living their most real and wise selves first. She shares creative floral gifting advice to build loving relationships, send spontaneous love and lift the spirits of a friend.

Funky Prom Corsages!!

Power of Giving Flowers Study

Rutgers: Flower Givers Perceived as Successful and Caring
Happy birthday, congratulations, thank you, I love you, thinking of you. Each day, millions of gifts are exchanged by people who want to send thoughtful regards to deserving friends and loved ones. According to research from Rutgers University, the presents we pick to convey our special messages say a lot about us.

Rutgers University researcher Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., director of the university’s Human Emotions Lab, explored what the gifts we choose say about who we are and whether they affect how we are perceived. The research reveals that those who send flowers, in comparison to other gifts, are viewed as successful, caring and emotionally intelligent people. More specific findings include:

Both men and women who give flowers are perceived as happy, achieving, strong, capable and courageous people;

Men and women come across as more emotionally intelligent; they give the impression they can effectively express their feelings and take time to understand the feelings of others;

and Female floral gifters are viewed as more appreciative of beauty and nature.

“Our findings show that you can influence and change what people think of you in a significant way through the gifts you give,” says Haviland-Jones. “That news is particularly important to those interested in enhancing friendships and romances, even business relationships.”

Discovering the scientific power of flowers is not new to Haviland-Jones. Previous Rutgers University research conducted by her team found that flowers create instant delight and happiness, and increase enjoyment and life satisfaction. Specifically, upon receiving a gift of flowers, the female study participants responded with true smiles and reported positive moods that lasted for days. The presence of flowers also led to increased contact with family and
friends.

“Flowers have evolved to activate positive emotional responses from people,” says Haviland-Jones. “Each bloom has the potential to put a smile on our face and sway our opinion of a friend, colleague or loved one. That’s powerful.”

M.J. Ryan, award-winning author of the Random Acts of Kindness book series and The Giving Heart, uses cutting-edge science to bring out the best in people. In her books, she teaches individuals how gratitude and generosity can result in greater happiness, health and feelings of human connectivity.

“Gift recipients experience compelling connections with givers, and the positive link is particularly evident in the exchange of flowers,” says Ryan. “In my everyday work with individuals, CEOs and leadership teams at some of the world’s top global companies, I see the powerful implications of gratitude and appreciation.”

According to Ryan, a simple call to the florist can make a big impact beyond conventional gifting occasions. Some of her favorite, unexpected gifting opportunities include surprise recognition for a job well done; an “I miss you” gift for an out-of-town family member; and an advance “thanks for hosting us” gesture before visiting a friend’s house.

“A successful person is not necessarily someone with a lot of money and material goods, but rather someone who is in tune with people and knows how to touch their hearts,” says Ryan. “I can think of no other item besides flowers that evokes such positive feelings and perceptions for both the giver and the recipient.”