Introducing…TODAY’S TOUCHSTONE

Do you know the original meaning of the word “touchstone?”

I was fascinated to learn this meaning and to understand how, centuries ago, certain black stones helped people to build wealth. This led me to look into the contemporary meaning of the word and to discover a way to use “today’s touchstones” to enrich my life.

Now, I’m eager to share this concept with you.

ORIGINAL MEANING

Around 750 BC, someone observed how a distinctive streak was left upon a smooth, black stone when it was “touched” by pure gold. By carrying about a black stone that held the mark of true gold, people could test the authenticity of any piece of gold offered in trade. One would simply stroke the offered gold item upon the stone and compare that mark against the first streak. If the marks matched, the payment offered could be trusted.

Those black stones came to be called “touchstones” because of the way gold was “touched” upon them to test for authenticity.  As a result of a touchstone’s ability to reflect true value, people conducted business more easily. This use of touchstones led to the widespread use of coins, which led to the building of wealth… material wealth.

EXPANDED MEANING

Over the years, the word “touchstone” has grown beyond that original definition and come to mean “an example of the excellence or genuineness of something.”

I’ve come to use this word, with its modern meaning, for things that reflect the excellence within humanity… things that help me to recognize the true value in you and in me!

I believe that, like gold buried in pockets under the surface in our physical world, there is great worth in the core of us. The wealth in us is in the form of strength, beauty, courage, compassion, hope, joy, talent, imagination, reverence, wisdom, love, and faith… what I call The Twelve Gifts.

For the past few years, I’ve been collecting stories, quotes, affirmations, activities, songs, films, fables… all sorts of things that reflect The Twelve Gifts and help me to recognize the worth in us. As I go about my day, like those ancient people who carried about a stone reflecting gold to help them make careful business choices, I hold, in my mind and heart, an inspirational touchstone.

AN INVITATION

I invite you to consider carrying such a touchstone with you each day…an uplifting memory, an affirmation, a quote, a prayer… anything that serves as a “gold standard” for your values.

We can all benefit by using today’s meaning of touchstones in this way. As possibilities are offered to us in the course of a day, we can evaluate how each choice compares with our highest qualities.  We can ask: Does this response reflect beauty, love, and compassion? Does it meet my gold standard? Today’s touchstones can help us to build upon the spiritual wealth in us and enrich all areas of our lives.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE TODAY’S TOUCHSTONE?

In addition to introducing this concept, I plan to share specific touchstones. If you would like to see Today’s Touchstone from time to time, please visit this website and click on the gift box near the top of my home page. If you would like to receive Today’s Touchstone via email, please sign up for my newsletter in the area on the right of this page.

EXAMPLE OF “TODAY’S TOUCHSTONE”

“We are born to delight in the world.” – Carl Sagan

Yes. I appreciate the miracle of all creation and my part in it!