Reminders of Growth

Two years ago, in October 2019, I was sitting in an uncomfortable and crowded train commuting from one adjunct university instructor job in Long Island, NY to another adjunct college instructor job in Union, NJ. That's about 2.5 hours on the NJ Transit and Long Island Railroad that I used working on my small business - posting jewelry on my website, writing the descriptions, perfecting the photos (which weren't that good at the time!). Those were some difficult times. The union NJtransit stop was outdoors, and I remember it raining profusely one day when I didn't have an umbrella. Drenched for the whole ride home - from NJ to NY. It felt like a hopeless low point so... I snapped a photo! I'm glad I did because I could see the two-year growth.

At times when I just couldn't do any more work on the train, I meditated. I used the two stones that I attached to my wallet. One was a shungite, and the other was a Zambian citrine. I wrapped them both so I wouldn't lose them. I used to touch and gaze to help me meditate. If I felt safe, I would close my eyes, but I don't suggest doing that on a crowded train. I visualized and hoped so badly to own a house, and at the time, it felt almost impossible. I couldn't envision it. Would I love in Long Island near one job? Or in New Jersey near the other?

Waiting for the train. I often brought this fluorite tower to my classrooms to help encourage learning. In Summer 2021, I knew I wouldn't be in a classroom again, and I gave it to a teacher! Then in October 2021, when I decided I would teach again (not necessarily in a classroom), I was a gifted a new little fluorite tower.

Hubs and I looked at apartments, co-ops, and tiny houses all over - Jersey City, Hempstead, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Mineola. Nothing felt right. I decided to release the specifics and "go general." Since it didn't feel right to visualize the physical home, I instead focused on the feeling of contentment, freedom, security, and joy. Whenever I commuted I meditated with those crystals attached to my wallet. When 2020 lockdowns happened, I continued meditating with this intention.

I used to park my car in this lot before I started my journey, and when I'd get home at 9pm, I just didn't feel safe. Nothing ever happened, but multilevel parking lots are always so dark!

Then, the citrine fell off. When? It fell off when hubs and I took a week upstate in March 2021 to look at houses. We saw our dream house, and it felt RIGHT. IT WAS THE ONE! It took a long time to manifest our home, but it finally happened. I thanked the little citrine and released my home- finding intention as it has completed its journey with me. The lanyard broke off at that opportune time because it was simply time to let go of me. He did his job. I luckily didn't lose it, and I gifted him.

I could almost pinpoint the moment it happened. During our road trip to Long Island to meet our dream home for the first time.

I have so many "opportune" moments when a crystal would release its intention (aka, it would break or get lost). At the time, I'd be really sad, and in hindsight, I'd see and appreciate all the work it did for me, and how breaking was its way of saying "it is done."

This is actually how sparkles of sol got started! My favorite crystal broke! That's a story for another day. Have you ever broken a crystal? Did it achieve its intention?

Waay back when I was commuting and working all day, I'd create and ship packages during any free time I could. And I couldn't go to the post office because they were only open during times I'd be working! So I asked my post carrier to pick them up. All these packages and all your support during these difficult times have helped this expansion.

I have a special little thank you to those of you who have been following my journey way back when it started in a train, back when I lived in Japan, and knew it wasn't my home, back when I didn't know I would move back to the US. Thank you for being part of the journey.