Being in the hospital with my mom while she had pneumonia brought back lots of memories from the past three years. Our family knows that hospital routine all too well. I found myself remembering the smallest things and it would make me a little sad. There were some memories triggered that led to negative reactions from me. It was not good. There were many triggers. Inside I was a mess!
In my class, I had a lesson on triggers and how we respond to things that bring up memories - good and not so good. My kids would create a list of both positive and negative things that would “trigger” their own memories.
Recently, I read a post from someone about “glimmers!” I loved it! Glimmers are all the positive triggers we have! I would have loved to have this word to use in my class for all the positive triggers! For me, for example, the smell of Dove soap reminds me of my Gram. Walking in and smelling roast in the crockpot reminds me of my childhood. Anything with the Texas Tech logo takes me back to the best days ever! Driving by a busy little league field makes me smile as I remember all the days we spent watching our son play baseball. In the same manner, just all the little things our grandgirly does reminds me of the things our daughter did when she was that age. Each of these glimmers lead to a smile on my face!
Here is what the post said:
A Little Guide to Glimmers
- glimmers are the opposite of triggers
- they are tiny moments of awe
- they spark joy and evoke inner calm
- they have a positive effect on our mental health
- they are micro-moments causing tiny mood shifts
- they send cues of safety to our nervous system
- they bring feelings of ease and contentment
- our body responds with positive energy
- they allow us to feel hope when lost
- our nervous system is strengthened by them
- they can help increase our well-being
- once we start embracing them it can become a beautiful way to see the world around you
@h.e.l.e.n.m.a.r.i.e.
Looking back, there were lots of glimmers in that hospital room too - I just focused on the triggers. I bet there are way more glimmers in our lives than triggers! We need to be more conscious of them and recognize them when they happen. Glimmers make us better people as a whole… and who doesn’t want to be a better person? I am definitely going to work on it!
What about you? Do you notice a “glimmer” when it happens? What makes you smile and reflect on the good times in your lives? Or do you get triggered a bunch- remembering the not so good times? Make a list of glimmers that happen this week and share them with someone!