28 May Discovering Glimmers: Finding Light in the Darkness
In our everyday lives, we often hear about triggers—those things that can make us feel stressed, anxious, or upset. But there’s another side to this. Moments that make us feel good, calm, or joyful. These moments could be called “glimmers.”
What Are Glimmers?
Glimmers are small, everyday moments that bring us a sense of joy, peace, or connection. They are the opposite of triggers. Triggers bring up negative feelings, while glimmers bring positive ones. The term “glimmers” was introduced by Deb Dana, a well-known therapist who studies the Polyvagal Theory.
Polyvagal Theory
Polyvagal Theory was developed by Dr Stephen Porges. It helps us understand how our nervous system reacts to the world around us. This theory says we have three states:
Ventral Vagal State: This is when we feel safe and connected.
Sympathetic State: This is when we feel stressed or ready to fight or run away.
Dorsal Vagal State: This is when we feel shut down or disconnected.
Glimmers can help us move into the Ventral Vagal State, where we feel calm and happy.
How Glimmers Work
Glimmers are important because they help us feel safe and connected. When we notice glimmers, we tell our nervous system that we are okay. This helps us stay in the ventral vagal state more often, which is good for our overall well-being.
Deb Dana suggests that looking for glimmers can become a daily practice. By paying attention to these small moments, we can train our brains to focus on the positive. This doesn’t mean ignoring the negative; it’s about balancing our experiences.
Finding Glimmers in Everyday Life
Glimmers can be found anywhere. They can be very simple and easy to miss if we’re not paying attention. Here are 15 potential glimmers you might notice:
The warmth of the sun on your skin.
A gentle breeze on a hot day.
The sound of birds singing.
The smell of fresh coffee or tea.
A kind smile from a stranger.
The feel of soft, comfortable clothes.
Hearing your favourite song.
Watching the sunset or sunrise.
The taste of your favourite food.
A hug from a loved one.
Seeing a beautiful flower.
A moment of quiet in a busy day.
The sound of rain on the roof.
Watching children play and laugh.
A moment of understanding with a friend.
Awe and Enchantment and Soul
Experiencing glimmers is also connected to feeling awe and enchantment. Dr Dacher Keltner studies the science of awe. He says that feeling awe can make us feel more connected and less focused on our own problems. Awe can come from seeing something vast and beautiful, like a starry sky or a powerful waterfall.
Katherine May, in her book “Enchantment: Reawakening Wonder in an Exhausted Age”, writes about finding wonder and magic in everyday life. She encourages us to slow down and notice the small, beautiful things around us. This act of noticing the enchantment and wonder in day to day life, is similar to finding glimmers.
Thomas Moore and James Hillman are known for their work on soul thinking. They talk about connecting deeply with ourselves and the world around us. This can mean finding and actively cultivating beauty and meaning in the ordinary things of life. Noticing glimmers is a way to practise soul thinking. It helps us see the world with fresh eyes and appreciate the little things that bring joy and peace.
Practical Tips to Notice Glimmers
Slow Down: Take a moment to slow down and breathe. Notice what’s around you.
Be Present: Try to be fully present in what you’re doing. Whether it’s eating, walking, or talking with someone, pay full attention.
Engage Your Senses: Use your senses to find glimmers. Listen, look, smell, taste, and touch.
Connect with Nature: Spend time outside. Nature is full of glimmers.
Keep a journal: Write down the glimmers you notice each day. This can help you remember and appreciate them.
Share with Others: Talk about your glimmers with friends or family. It helps you notice them more.
The Power of Glimmers
Glimmers are powerful because they remind us that there is good in the world, despite all the tragedy and difficulty that abounds, both personally and on a wider scale.
They help balance out the stress and negativity we often feel in these modern times of rapid change. By paying attention to glimmers, we can train our brains to notice the positive more often. This can lead to a more joyful and resilient life.
Life is full of both triggers and glimmers. By focusing on the glimmers, we can create a more balanced and fulfilling life. The invitation is to cultivate a noticing practice and a receptive stance to notice the day to day beauty that abounds in our very human lives.
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