GIFT GOOD: An Advent Calendar With True Star Appeal

Because there’s no time like the present...

Though I aspire to be mindful — meaning in the moment — I have to be honest in that this proves to be a considerable challenge, every day.

There are so many times in which I find myself replaying an event in my head, hanging on the many ways that I might’ve, or should’ve, navigated it differently. Or, conversely, anticipating something in the near future, like a presentation — am I going to succeed? Be confident in my execution? Should I wear something smart, or fun, or both?

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With this I suddenly realize — I’m trying to be my best self in a time that’s not now."

Some might consider that a waste of energy, and to them I say you’re not wrong. But, like most habits, a pattern of over-analytic thinking is hard to shift from once you allow your mind to continually process life in this way.

As 2021 draws toward its end, I’m of course looking to how I might forge a new routine next year. With meditation already a nightly practice, I’m wondering what else I can turn to, as a fan of the subtle yet precious? Maybe I need to fight energy with...energy?

Shoppe Geo Crystal 12 Day Self-Care Toolkit

I picked up a Crystal Self-Care Toolkit at the office last week because, in theory, it seemed to check off all of my “please fix this” boxes.. A kit containing 12 different stones — rose quartz, citrine, blue calcite among them — with the intention of discovering one crystal per day, and allowing the properties of said stone to steer and ground my mind. While also helping me to count down the days toward (you can fill in the blank here — for me, this was “More Mindfulness”).

So as not to spoil the surprises that sit behind doors #2-12, I’ll share with you my experience of opening door #1, which held a fits-in-your-palm shard of clear quartz, meant to help amplify and renew one’s spirit.

I took to it immediately, or maybe it took to me. For the entire day, my quartz crystal became my +1, going with me everywhere. Upstairs, downstairs, on a dog walk, to prepare breakfast and lunch, answer emails, and to grab a takeout dinner. Funnily enough, just having it with me served as a constant reminder to “let go.” At one point, I locked in on one anxiety-provoking thought, and “channeled” it into the tip of the quartz, where I “saw” it undergo a transformation of sorts — from fear into love — and then “shot out” from the quartz top as a warm and white light, back into my being.

Now, I don’t expect that you should or would do similar but…

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This exercise provided me with something very important — by occupying my mind with a “task” and limiting any opportunity to dwell somewhere else in time."

Inside door #1 of the calendar, my action for the day read “Stargaze: Look Up At The Night Sky.” This is something I tend to do anyway, but as the sun fell beneath the horizon that evening, as I stood outside in my backyard, I found myself sort of looking “beyond” the stars. Realizing my very small — but yet so very large — presence in this neverending place. And in that I found a much-needed peace, knowing that maybe it’s not worth spending so much time in a space where I can’t affect much of anything.

All we have is now. And 12 crystals to help us get there.