Shop of Curiosities

Here we are at the entrance to The Old Curiosity Shop, the finest little museum with the most unassuming of shop fronts. No matter how many times you visit, it's always a surprise to cross that modest threshold into a space busy with so many wonderful things, like finding the gem inside the stone. Before we begin, let's pause for a brief wind-down exercise. Tonight's exercise is a really simple breathing exercise. So when you are ready, let's begin. So first, get yourself comfortable. Now just bringing the attention to the breath, just noticing where you feel it in the nose, the throat, the chest, the diaphragm. You're nice and relaxed. We are going to be taking a deep breath in for four, holding it for four, and then breathing out for six. So are you ready? Let's begin. In for four, two, three, four. Hold it for . Now breathing out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. Great. Now returning the breath to normal. Two large stone leopards stand just inside the entrance to the old curiosity shop, not far from the tape player, with its over-worn buttons. It's playing a classical tune with gently soaring strings. The music is rich with the characteristics of analog tape and all of its wonderful imperfections. The leopards are waist-high, weathered and slightly mossy about the edges, as if being indoors is just their day job, and the rest of the time, they can be found hanging out in a Victorian landscaped garden. Maybe keeping an eye on a fountain or guarding the entrance to a hedge maze. One of them is wearing a pair of pink heart-shaped sunglasses. Someone put them there for a joke once. It was a good joke, so they've never been removed. You could think of these leopards as museum guides, or spirit guides, if you prefer. They'd have so much to share with you about the exhibits in this cozy, cavern-like space, where the lighting is low but warm, and the walls are busy with cabinets and shelving crowded with things to look at. If only they could speak. There's a young woman behind the counter at the Old Curiosity Shop today. Her name is Aria, and she works here part-time. She has long chestnut-brown hair, and a bright pink wedge dyed into her bangs. The owner, Carol Lee, was reluctant to hire an assistant at first. She likes doing things her own way. But Aria is good with people. She got the measure of Carol Lee straight off, and made sure never to overstep. Now, Carol Lee trusts her completely. Aria is carefully dusting...