The Grace of Glimmers

Each night, I have been sitting for a few minutes and feeling into the glimmers of my day—the moments of calm and peace, the times when my heart opened or when I was filled with joy and deeply present. 

These moments can be as simple as noticing the sunlight dancing on the leaves of the cottonwood tree or feeling the soft fur of my cat while curled up in bed with him. Usually these moments are simple and small but they are significant. 

See glimmers are the opposite of triggers. Rather than signaling a threat, they signal safety within the body.  They make us feel at ease and connected with ourselves and with the world. 

For people working with a hyper-vigilant nervous system, spending some time marinating in the peaceful moments of our days can be incredibly calming to the mind and body.  

I was first introduced to the practice of glimmers in a chronic pain group, and initially, I was resistant to it. I did not want to bypass the hard. I did not want to fake my way to positivity.  

But what I came to realize is that the practice is not about ignoring what is difficult or hard.  Rather it is about taking a few minutes to illuminate some of small, simple moments of goodness in life and often when we place our attention here, the goodness grows. 

If you are looking for more support in recognizing and honoring the glimmers in your day, feel free to listen to my free meditation on Insight Timer.