Lily watched as the water rushed across the road making the rocks more visible to her. Ever since she was a child, she had always been fascinated by crystals, especially the way light reflected through them. It was no surprise to her parents when she became a collector, keeping every crystal she found in a wooden box under her bed.
Lily had been going through a difficult time. She had lately lost her work and was having financial difficulties. Like a crystal imprisoned in a cave, she felt lonely and alone. She made a concerted effort to be upbeat, but she was unable to get rid of the melancholy that pressed heavily in her chest. Lily came into a crystal shop one day as she was strolling around the park. Although she had never been inside one because she thought crystals felt more unique if they were found not bought, something about the store drew her in. She entered and was immediately mesmerized by the beauty of the crystals in the room.
"Hello there," a kind voice greeted her. "Is there something in particular that you're looking for?", the voice continued to speak.
A middle-aged woman with lovely brown eyes and a grin caught her attention as she turned. "Oh, I'm really not looking for anything in particular", she said. "I simply adore crystals and thought I would browse around".
The woman gave a sympathetic nod. "You're welcome to take your time, of course. Please don't be afraid to ask questions if you have any".
Lily browsed the shop's exhibit of crystals as she made her way around. She'd never seen a collection of crystals with such a wide range of sorts before. She felt a sense of peace when she picked up a rose quartz. She had heard that rose quartz is thought to be the stone of love and emotional healing.
The woman noticed her thoughtful expression and asked, "Is everything okay?".
She gave a wan smile as she looked up. "I'm sorry, I'm just having a hard time right now. I recently lost my job, and I'm having trouble making ends meet".
The woman's face started to relax.
"Even though life can be difficult at times, it's crucial to keep in mind that there is always hope", the woman replied walking closer to her.
A lump started to grow in Lily's throat as she nodded. She wasn't sure why, but she had a good feeling about this lady. She made the decision to tell her.
She cried out, "I just feel so alone," with tears welling up in her eyes. "Like an imprisoned crystal in a cavern. No matter how hard I try to remain upbeat, I can't get rid of this despair".
She extended her hand and squeezed it. "I am aware of your feelings. Because of their therapeutic qualities, crystals have been utilized for ages. There might be a crystal in this area that can make you feel better", the woman said moving her hand in a way that suggested Lily take a look around.
Lily looked at her skeptically. "I don't know, I've never really believed in that kind of thing."
The woman smiled. "That's okay, you don't have to believe in it for it to work. Crystals are like a magnet for energy, they can absorb negative energy and emit positive energy. Just hold one in your hand and see how it makes you feel'.
"What's that one?" she asked, pointing to the blue crystal.
The woman followed her gaze. "Ah, that's a blue kyanite crystal. It's said to have healing properties and can help with emotional balance and communication."
Lily was intrigued. "Can I hold it?"
The woman nodded and handed her the crystal, she felt a warmth emanating from the crystal and she held it close to her chest.
"It's beautiful", she said.
"Yes, it is," the woman agreed. "And it seems to have chosen you."
Lily looked at her quizzically. "Chosen me?"
The woman smiled. "Yes, sometimes crystals have a way of calling out to certain people. Perhaps the blue kyanite is meant to help you with your emotional balance and communication."
"I'll take it," she said, surprising herself.
The woman nodded and wrapped the crystal in a small velvet bag. "It's a good choice. Take care of it and it will take care of you."
Lily left the shop feeling a little lighter than before. She wasn't sure if the crystal would actually help her, but there was something about it that made her feel hopeful. As she walked home, she couldn't help but think about the woman at the crystal shop. There was something about her that made her feel safe and understood. She wondered if she could go back and talk to her again.
"Hello again," she greeted as she entered the crystal shop the next day. "Did the blue kyanite crystal help you?", the woman asked trying to dust a shelf in the corner of the shop.
Lily nodded, feeling a little embarrassed. "Yes, actually it did. I don't know if it's just in my head, but I feel a little more balanced."
The woman smiled knowingly. "That's the power of crystals. They can have a profound effect on our emotional well-being."
She hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "Can we talk? I mean, not just about crystals. I just feel like you understand me."
The woman looked at her with kindness in her eyes. "Of course, I'm always here to listen."
They sat down in the corner of the shop and she poured out her heart to the woman. She talked about her struggles with unemployment and feeling alone. She talked about her fears and her dreams. And the woman listened, nodding and offering words of comfort.
For the first time in a long time, Lily felt like she wasn't alone. She felt like there was someone who understood her and was rooting for her.
After a few hours of talking, she felt a sense of peace settle over her. She knew that her problems weren't magically solved, but she felt like she could face them with a little more strength.
As she got up to leave, the woman handed her a small clear quartz crystal.
"This is for you," she said. "Clear quartz is said to be a powerful amplifier of energy. Keep it with you and it will amplify the positive energy in your life."
Jenna took the crystal with a grateful smile. "Thank you. Thank you for listening and for understanding."
The woman smiled. "You're welcome. And remember, you're never truly alone. There's always someone who cares."
Lily left the shop feeling like she had just dropped all the baggage she carried, she still needed more time to sort things out but the crystal shop was a step in the right direction.