How to Cultivate Joy On Purpose: Working With Glimmers
Photo by Nada Jahed on Unsplash
glimmer
(n.) Opposite of a trigger. Micro-moments of awe that evoke inner calm, bringing feelings of ease, hope, and positive energy.
A glimmer is like a faint light in the darkness, a subtle sign or feeling that something positive is possible, even in the midst of difficulty. It’s a small, often fleeting moment of hope or inspiration that hints at the potential for growth, change, or healing. Glimmers can come in many forms: a kind word from a friend, a moment of clarity during meditation, a feeling of connection with nature, or even a brief sense of peace in the midst of chaos.
Glimmers can also be understood in relationship to their opposite, triggers. A trigger is something that sets off a reaction, often negative, based on past experiences or trauma. Triggers can be external stimuli, such as certain smells, sounds, or situations, or internal thoughts and emotions. Unlike glimmers, which offer a glimpse of possibility and hope, triggers tend to reinforce negative patterns and keep us stuck in old ways of thinking and behaving.
Pratipaksha Bhavana
“When negative thoughts present themselves cultivate and think the opposite thoughts with feeling.” (Yoga Sutra 2.33)
This practice of training our attention to find glimmers of joy, even in dark times, is touched on in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The discipline of Pratipaksha Bavana is a concept from yoga philosophy that involves cultivating the opposite mental attitude or thought. It encourages replacing negative thoughts or emotions with their positive counterparts through conscious effort and practice. The idea is that by consistently redirecting our focus towards positivity, Pratipaksha Bhavana helps to promote inner peace, resilience, and personal growth.
Similarly, noticing glimmers can have a profoundly positive influence on our healing journeys because they serve as beacons of hope and encouragement along the way. When we pay attention to these small moments of light, we start to see that healing is possible, even if progress is slow or uneven. Glimmers remind us that we are not defined by our past or our pain, and that there is always the potential for growth and transformation.
What’s more, focusing on glimmers can help shift our perspective from one of helplessness to one of empowerment and agency. Instead of being at the mercy of our triggers and past wounds, we can actively seek out and cultivate moments of healing and growth. This doesn’t mean ignoring or suppressing our pain, but rather recognizing that it is not the whole story of who we are or who we can become.
Joy as a Practice
In practical terms, noticing glimmers can involve:
keeping a journal of moments that bring joy, peace, or a sense of connection
practicing mindfulness to become more attuned to the present moment
seeking out activities and experiences that nourish our spirits and bring us closer to our true selves.
Ultimately, it’s about consciously choosing to focus on what is working in our lives, rather than getting bogged down by what isn’t.
The journey of healing is not a linear one, and there will inevitably be setbacks and challenges along the way. But by paying attention to the glimmers of light that appear amidst the darkness, we can stay grounded in hope and resilience, and keep moving forward, one small step at a time.