In mental health circles, there is often reference made to things that “trigger” us. In its proper usage, this refers to experiences or interactions which bring up the “fight, flight or freeze” response from an earlier trauma.
In the last couple of years, the word “glimmer” has become increasingly used to refer to experiences or encounters that bring up feelings of joy, delight, belonging, all of which signal “safety” to our nervous systems.
One of my soul-practices is to pay attention to glimmers. By their nature, they are fleeting, often so quick and so small, they get quickly forgotten. Our survival brains are more likely to notice and hang onto negative memories and emotions, so it takes intentionality to notice and truly absorb glimmers when they happen.
So, what glimmered for me this week?
- A jacket my son was going to discard has turned out to be the ideal outer layer for me in this season. In addition to being practical, it feels like a hug from him every time I wear it.
- I have experienced two different people expressing admiration for something I have accomplished that felt very routine to me.
- My Favourite Person got the Christmas lights hooked up so they now automatically come on as dusk is giving way to dark.
- I was able to get my kitchen deep cleaned, and the stainless steel sparkles at me every time I look at the fridge.
- I discovered the versatility of riced cauliflower, not as a substitute for rice, but just as a satisfying addition to my lunch.
I find that not only noticing these things in the moment, but then deliberately recalling them later, either in writing or by telling someone else about them, helps them feel less fleeting, gives them weight, as it were, in my emotions and my memories. It also keeps me primed for noticing other glimmers when they show up, like my son’s dog cuddling up to my foot while I’m working at my desk.
What glimmered for you this week? How can you deeply notice the next one that comes your way?
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