Finding Your Glimmers

Hope (aka. a 'glimmer' of hope) is not lost in the simple pleasures of life; even if you think (or more importantly feel) that life feels like a lost cause from 2020 onwards. It is fair to say that the world has (and still is) undergoing some deep and significant transformations, where it feels like you may not have anything to look forward to in moving forward. Depression (and sometimes anxiety, but mostly depression) is the epitome of not finding any joy, and where there feels like (or in actuality there is) a lack of gratitude and love (the two highest positive emotions that a human being can endure, and hence enjoy) can feel like that glimmer has dulled its shine; and therefore you may no longer feel safe - let alone seen and heard. The latter is what we all need in order to thrive, and to go beyond Maslow's basic hierarchy of needs. It is like igniting a bit of romance and spark, so that your life is not too onerous or mundane.

In life, there are solutions to every single problem (or should I say challenge); where the parasympathetic nervous system can have a chance to glow, all in the name of safety.

Depending on how immersed you choose to be in your glimmers; they could be the keys to the pandoras boxes of abundance and prosperity, all in the name of creativity, and in knowing what you truly want out of life.

Glimmers, and the simple things in life are meant to evoke feelings of warmth, closeness, and safety. No different to the feeling of hygge. The direction of this article is part wisdom, part memoir.

I am still not too sure if it was my Reticular Activating System (RAS), or a mere coincidence that I discovered this concept more through an airport read on a pre-surgery trip (I knew that I had one tumour in my womb a short two-months ago, as at the time of writing; yet little did I know that I had two cancerous tumours while further being curious about this idea of finding the simple pleasures in life), without needing a gratitude journal as such. Welcome to the world of glimmers, and in finding them. (Ironically as I write this, the itinerary for a fun industry conference that I will be attending this weekend pops into my inbox. What a glimmer that was! More on this shortly.)

Keila Shaheen, author of The Lucky Girl Journal (a book yours truly purchased late last year during her chronic illness journey) has the final section devoted to finding your glimmers (only discovering this, upon reconvening with and completing this journal yesterday; again at the time of writing).

On this, The Lucky Girl Journal shares the following prompts in helping you find your glimmers. (I will give you an example of what I wrote first in this journal - all in italics below.)

1. Event - Describe what happened. (In detail).

Finding out that one of my favourite healthy fro-yo hang-out spots have just added a Beechworth Honey frozen yoghurt, as well as Beechworth Honey (the warm variety to sprinkle on top) on the menu. And prior to my life changing surgery last month; it was ironic that the family took me on a road trip to this exact same town in Victoria, Australia where this honey comes from.

2. Feelings - How did this glimmer make you feel?

This glimmer made me feel amazing. It makes me feel so connected to source, and to abundance - as this holiday was provided for, due to being so unwell at the time - despite me asking what the financial contribution was for this trip. I get to re-visit this positive Beechworth holiday experience by enjoying a bit of honey from this country town every now and then, without having to leave Sydney to enjoy.

3. Glimmer echo - How did this glimmer spark a chain of positivity?

Honey is rich in antioxidants, and hence it is safe to say that honey is good for us in moderation, despite being on the right side of sweet. At least this fro-yo store provides luxury (nice and cool) tap water complimentary, where I can also fill up my Frank Green water bottle for free, no questions asked. That travel bug (no pun intended) and holiday lingers around for longer. Hooray!

4. Glimmer essence - What is the core reason this felt like a glimmer to you?

Greater good and abundance in the simple, through the enjoyment of a little bit of honey while also avoiding waste in tough economic times. I love treats where I can control how much I enjoy. These Beechworth Honey treats are affordable, with a little luxury, combined with positive associations of a better than expected holiday that family (metaphorically speaking) twisted my arm to attend, due my uterine issues, just before being admitted to hospital for surgery. Opportunities to share digital photos of my recent holiday In Beechworth with one of the staff members in a quiet period in the store was also quite delightful. That made her day, and made her more curious to travel to Beechworth - her not knowing that this town existed before hearing about the popular honey that is made down there. Wonderful.

Your glimmers are personal to you, and what you write in a glimmer journal (if you wish) is equally as intimate and personal.

Furthermore, here are a few examples of some other glimmers that yours truly, and others in my life have enjoyed - just for inspiration, and to help your psyche and mental health in enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Even in tough times:

• Manifesting two dog sitting gigs with barely any marketing, in attracting the right dog at the right time to heal from surgery, while enjoying nice companionship with a four legged friend who loves you back in return; all the while getting paid to travel, and to enjoy such.
• The algorithms presenting the right video on social media channels such as YouTube to you, after thinking about that particular topic of interest. (Hopefully this article is a glimmer to you in its own special way. On that, you're so welcome.)
• The item that you wanted to buy happens to be on special, without being advertised as such; and/or you hear of an unexpected discount the moment you pay for such - even if its only $1 off. Good signs.
• Needing new hard cover glasses cases, and asking your optometrist for these, stating that you are willing to pay for such, while they give them to you for free. Then you receive a timely reminder two-weeks later to book in your next eye test with them (while you decide to get your teeth cleaned on the same day.) This glimmer is a big deal to someone who has recently passed through the eye of the needle on chronic illness.
• Wanting to go to a particular exhibit, where the entry is a donation of your choosing to a cause that you are passionate about. Not only do you get a nice, little outing; you are also helping others simultaneously. Win-win.
• An old mobile phone playing up while travelling interstate. No biggie - just head into a shop front of the relevant telco provider, and they will handle your new contract, while you head back home with a brand spanking new phone unexpectedly. Hello iPhone 15 - light pink with a pretty clear cover.
• Work, events, and important meetings (to name) finishing just in the nick of time for happy hour. (Delays can also be glimmers, helping you to re-purpose your attention elsewhere, and/or for more downtime).
• Being awarded Top Story once again, followed by a full-time freelance and fully remote job offer (July 2025 start, as at the time of writing) a day apart from one another.
• Decorating your house with nostalgic items that can also bring out your inner child - in reminding your little boy or girl that they are seen and heard. Since the release of the Barbie movie, yours truly has a Barbie bath mat, electric toothbrush, and Barbie themed lip balm in her home. I also have a plush toy of Bluey on my bed, as a reminder that I love dogs, and that they also are my glimmers right now.

Check out Kelsey Hermanson, who has created a Disney themed living space. Clearly her glimmer. So inspiring, fun, refreshing and creative, in my humble opinion:

Us humans (during the cavemen days) have been trained to ignite the fight-flight-freeze response. We are naturally wired to watching the news for example (a clear anti-glimmer in comparison to all of the joyous examples shared herein), which can ignite the same triggers, threats and stresses of being chased by a sabre tooth tiger. Authorities like to install fear, and more fear into our psyche. Remember the pandemic of 2020? Exactly. Being in a mode of survival means that you are wearing a blindfold to your glimmers. The good news is that you could be working long-hours in the rat-race; yet you can still discover a couple, where that blindfold becomes a bit looser and a little less itchy and annoying on your skin. The more relaxed and grounded you are - in the spirit of mindfulness and quiet time; the more glimmers come to you. And (in turn) they are amplified, meaningful, and of better quality.

From there, each glimmer can offer you what it is intended to offer you. If that is more peace and joy, then so be it.

Apart from journalling with the prompts above; there are a handful of simple and affordable ways you can find your glimmers. If you are receiving medical treatment of any kind; please continue with that - yet you never know, these glimmers can aid your healing and recovery naturally. Only you will know that. On that, more ways to find your glimmers. Again, take it or leave it:

• Plan the people you want to catch up with. If you are tired after spending time with someone, or even chatting to them on the phone; then chances are that person is not your glimmer.
• Create a playlist of positive songs that resonate with you.
• Spend time in nature. If the latter suggestion is stretching our friendship a bit; then look after a plant, and/or visit a florist and pick out a bunch of flowers that speak to you.
• Smells are powerful. Wear a fragrance that a loved one enjoys wearing. Burn a nice, scented candle. Or carry your favourite essential oils with you, and smell them when needed.
• Unfollow social media accounts where the content is triggering, and continue (or begin to) follow those social media accounts that bring you peace and joy - where their content is uplifting. (Just like this. Shameless plug, I'm sorry.)
• Place keepsakes and sentimental items in prominent locations. For example, I have a lavender plant on my desk, purchased on another meaningful holiday enjoyed in the past.
• Select images of your glimmers as screensavers on your smartphone and/or computer. This aims to reignite a little spark on such positive memories and associations.
• Take a detour to a scenic route. Do something spontaneous that brings you joy. Something unplanned.

In conclusion, why not share your glimmer/s in the comments below to help yourself, and this wonderful Vocal Media community if you wish to. Who knows, you could make another readers' day. Thank you so much, and enjoy those beautiful glimmers of yours in return!