The glimmer effect

Most of us know what it means to be triggered—when something pokes at a tender spot inside us, triggering a not-so-pleasant reaction. Family gatherings are often a hot bed of them. So is watching the news, driving, dealing with people…in other words, they’re everywhere. But that doesn’t mean we are victims of them. We can soften our sensitivity, and our response, to them through the glimmer effect.

What’s a glimmer?

A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger. Like a trigger, it can take us by surprise; but unlike a trigger, it pokes us in positive ways.

Glimmers are those ‘unscripted’ moments in our day that evoke feelings of love, gratitude, peace, wonder, joy or connection.

That is, when we pay attention to them.

They’re different for all of us: pausing to notice a gorgeous moon or rainbow…tuning into the sound of giggling children…giving or receiving a compliment…watching a bird or a dragonfly swoop through the air…relishing a home-cooked meal.

Favorite things

A magical side effect of glimmers is that noticing them can actually be an antidote to our triggers.

It reminds me of Julie Andrews singing My Favorite Things to to the children in The Sound of Music. “When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad. I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel so bad.”

While recalling glimmers can comfort us, we can actively seek them in our present as an awareness practice.

Mining for glimmers

When we’re being sucked in by a river of triggers — all those things that stir up our negativity — we often allow glimmers to slip right through our fingers. Yet like mining for gold, we can use our power of intention and attention to find sparkles within the mud.

“Most people pay too much attention to externals, assuming that the world out there is in charge,” writes Deepak Chopra. “In this way, you surrender your personal power, allowing bad news, controversy, disasters and strife to be causes of distress.”

To regain our personal power, we need to shift our perspective away from what distresses us and towards what uplifts us.

Sounds simple enough, but we all know how relentless the triggers in the physical world can be — not to mention in our own minds.

An awareness practice

We need to remember that we are “in charge of our brains, not the other way around,” according to Deepak. So, how do we take charge? To invite that shift in perspective, our first step is to set an intention to become aware of glimmers.

Our intention could simply be “I am noticing glimmers in my life” or “I am aware of and grateful for the wonder all around me” or “I am creating a joyful life.”

I like to write intentions on index cards and post them where I can see them.

This may seem silly or a bit ‘woo-woo’ for some, but it actually alters our brain chemistry.

Yeah, science!

According to neuroscience, our brains love a task or puzzle to be solved. Even when we’re not consciously thinking about a problem or task, other subconscious parts of our brain are like bloodhounds in search of an answer.

When we don’t intentionally ‘assign’ one, it will find other random things to obsesses or worry about.

Ever experience a sleepless night because your mind just won’t stop? It’s begging for something better to do. The more we seek and find glimmers during the day, the less stressed and anxious we feel by bedtime. And the better we sleep.

A real tail-wagger

As a bonus, the more we gild ourselves in glimmers, the less triggered we are by fear, criticism, and negativity.

Because just like canines love an “attaboy” for delivering the goods, our brains do, too. Glimmers light up our whole body with ‘happy hormones,’ like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin.

All guaranteed tail-waggers that shift our mood towards peace, joy, connection, and satisfaction.

It’s sort of like that ‘lavender haze’ we feel when falling in love — also a chemical reaction in the brain. Researches have found that, “In addition to the positive feelings romance brings, love also deactivates the neural pathway responsible for negative emotions, such as fear and social judgement.”

Not just romantic love. Glimmers sparkle in the love we express in any way, shape, or form.

Selfish vs. selfless

We may think it’s selfish to focus on glimmers when so many people are suffering in the world. That’s the same logic as finishing everything on your plate because people are starving in the world.

Overloading ourselves on the daily news is like overstuffing our bellies. Neither eases anyone’s suffering. Ours, theirs, or the world’s.

This doesn’t mean we ignore the difficulties of our brothers and sisters. “The power for creating a better future is contained in the present moment. You create a good future by creating a good present,” teaches Eckhart Tolle.

Maybe I’m a dreamer

The way we begin to change what’s happening ‘out there’ is by first managing what’s happening ‘in here’ within our own thoughts and emotions.

We are comprised of vibrational energy and each one of us contributes to the vibrational ‘soup’ of universal energy. That’s how we can use our personal power to change the world.

John Lennon understood this when he wrote, “imagine all the people living life in peace.” The lyrics are a beautiful call for a collective vision of love, peace, and connection. 

Manifesting glimmers

It seems too simple to be effective — that we can set intentions and imagine positive experiences into existence. And yet, isn’t it worth at least trying?

Give yourself the gift of glimmers this season. These ideas take very little time, money, or effort:

• Pay attention to our ‘favorite things’ and reflect on them at the end of the day — or write them in a gratitude journal.
• Devote attention to the people who are doing good, making a difference, and creating glimmers of hope in the world. Follow and share them on social media and maybe volunteer time or money to support them.
• Cultivate glimmers for others: Spend time with loved ones, offer to help a neighbor or stranger, deliver a heartfelt compliment, send a greeting card, or any myriad of ways to brighten someone’s day.

Remember, giving is part of receiving—so when we give a glimmer, we feel the glimmer effect, too.

Go for the glimmer effect

The more we shift our attention towards glimmers, the less attention we give to triggers. It may not be easy, especially when we’re beaten down by stress and negativity. But as the experts above share, it’s within our personal power to create change in our lives and in the world.

Pay attention to the glimmers in your life this week. Make it a New Year’s resolution for 2024. Or, like Maria Von Trapp, share it with little ones who need our guidance. It may be the greatest gift we can give ourselves — and to the world.

Get more Good Vibrations!

As a certified holistic life coach, my goal is to share the insights I continue to gather along my personal path of growth and healing to help inspire and guide others. For more information about life coaching, visit my website at www.manifestwithmargrita.com or email me at [email protected]. And share my Good Vibrations blog with anyone who needs a little boost today!