It pays to sit quietly for a few moments. Five minutes will do nicely. During those minutes, it helps to just look at something stationary. As Karen Maezen Miller put it, just look at a wall. Pick a nice wall and look at it. You may think there is nothing to see there but as you look, you will be surprised. A crack, the woodwork border, the light from the window, a flash from the sun on a passing car - interesting how much is going on.
As suggested somewhere in the book, "Buddhist Practice on Western Ground" by Harvey Aronson, it can be helpful if you have a pencil and paper handy. You can note down anything that really jolts you, comes to mind with force and grabs your attention. Sitting that way in a comfortable position for a few minutes a day can increase the knowledge you have about yourself. If you are really worried about something or someone, the worry will probably come to mind. You can jot down the issue or person, just so you know what came up.
Since it is getting into the Christmas season, you might start wishing for something fabulous, for yourself or others. If your head works like mine does, you can picture getting or giving a gift that just knocks the socks off. It is when you get to that point that you are entering fantasy land. Sometimes, you really hit the target and transport your loved one with the gift, its rarity, its usefulness, its unexpectedness. I hope you get a very great idea, that you don't run into scarcity or supply chain issues and you do think of something excellent. It doesn't really have to knock socks off. It could be heart-warming, pleasantly satisfying, surprising but enticing and interesting
