Notice and Embrace the Little Glimmers the Universe Gifts You

Do you know what the opposite of a "trigger" is?

May 24, 2023

Most of us can recall the visceral discomfort of feeling triggered. That moment when something in our environment induces a spikey and aggravating emotional reaction. The first step to self-awareness is recognising your triggers and then working toward a place of finding serenity in place of agitation.

Enough about triggers; I am pretty confident we all know what they are. What you may not be familiar with is the term “glimmer.” A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger.

I love the word glimmer. It’s sparkly and magical, captivating and intriguing. It conjures images of shimmering waves and visible rays of sunshine cascading through the sky.

Glimmers are those small moments that ignite feelings of peace and joy and lead to an overall feeling of comfort and safety.

Every day brings new glimmers. They are integral to our ability to find gratitude and embrace mindfulness.

I want to share a short story about a glimmer of transcendence I recently experienced while running in the Irish mountains.

When nature guides us

I wasn’t quite sure if I’d made the right decision. Seventeen years is one career is a long time - an investment. I had just put a match to my career and watched it go up in smoke. There was no returning or retreating. With my safety net obliterated, there was no point in looking back, but suddenly the way ahead seemed more daunting and murky than before. My whole nervous system felt inflamed.

When my angst and disturbance levels are high, there is only one thing for it. Running and hills!

I climbed into the heavens, or so the cloud inversions had me believe. Then danced along the ridge before pausing to take it all in.

And still, my mind continued. Had I made the right decision? What if everything were to go horribly wrong? Was my resignation courageous or foolish? What now?

My mind churned. I thought I would have found peace by now, what with having the Galtee mountains all to myself, along with vistas stretching across heaven’s own landscape.

And then it happened.

Just before I started a technical descent into an emerald valley, a person appeared before me. This person was hovering in mid-air. Confusion mesmerised me for a split second before the realisation hit me. I was observing my own silhouette cast into a broken spectre with a full halo rainbow glory around the head.

These phenomena are rare. They occur when the weather, light, and positioning of a person all combine perfectly to allow for the casting of a shadow into a cloud.

And just as quickly as this glimmer of reassurance and serenity appeared, its ephemeral nature carried it off like a mist drifting through the air. Leaving me transfixed and transmuted

My glimmer of reassurance

I can’t quite explain the physical and mental impact of bearing witness to such a transient yet transformational glimmer. I am not a religious person, but it felt spiritual.

The hesitation, doubt, and disturbance within my mind and body were immediately replaced with a deep knowing that I was on the right path.

This powerful glimmer was enough to eradicate my internal darkness and jolt my nervous system into a place of regulation and calm. All at once, I felt alive and safe within myself. I was exactly where I was supposed to be in life, in the world, and in that tiny moment in time - just a small soul balancing on the side of an Irish mountain.

Seek out your glimmers

My experience with the broken spectra and glory rainbow left a profound and long-lasting impact on me. This was enormous as far as glimmers go; not all glimmers are as huge as this. Most glimmers are subtle little sparks that brighten up everyday life. We just need to know where to look.

Here’s a list of micro glimmers I am fortunate enough to experience most days.

Watching my visiting red squirrels at their feeder.
Observing butterflies and bees in my garden.
A sunny day (in the summer).
A text from a friend.
Kind words from strangers.
Running.
Hugs.
Holding my partner’s hand.
Walking my aging, loyal dog.
The feeling when a good song engulfs me.

Life has many ways to sparkle; it starts with a glimmer.

Have you experienced a life-affirming glimmer? Or maybe you can share your daily glimmers with us. I’d love to hear your input in the comments.

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