Pretty Lynne Writes

The dread got me, guys. It did. It permeated everything and coloured the way I saw my every day. And no wonder; I think so many things about our world are designed to spark rage and fear and despair. 

But then, there are glimmers. A lot of people have written about glimmers, but I’ll explain the concept briefly. Glimmers are the little tiny things that make us happy. The briefest of moments can turn a day around. 

The trick is to learn to notice these little moments. Most of us wander through our days paying attention to whatever seems most urgent. It takes effort to break that habit. 

I grew up in a family focused on the negative. There was a note of criticism in every mention of the neighbours, the food, the family, and the news. That critical tone wore a groove into my brain. It takes active resistance on my part to see the positive in life. You have to wear a new groove in your brain. 

I’ve felt so heavy lately. But I was walking recently on my favourite trail and I noticed how beautiful the light was coming through the leaves. It was a glimmer. 

My friend reached out to ask how I am. Another made a joke that showed how much she knows me. Glimmers. 

The taste of buttered popcorn. The sound of my favourite song when it comes on the shuffle. Someone else doing the dishes, and putting them away. The crunch of leaves underfoot. The smile of a cherished person in my life. The softness of my sheets when I lay down. The satisfaction of finishing something I’ve been working on. Finding the right word for the sentence.

The richness of tomatoes and basil tossed with spicy olive oil and topped with flaky salt. Cold water on a hot day. The laugh of someone who has been having a tough time. The brief conversation with a stranger about how good the apples are this time of year. 

The sun streaming in the window in the morning. The bubbling of the coffee pot while I putter in my small kitchen getting ready for work. The tiny glass bird that sits on my windowsill. The painting someone made me for my birthday. The feeling of walking a long distance. Singing the lyrics of my favourite musician’s songs as I drive. 

Everything changes. Things can feel heavy and sad and then you notice something that touches you – a glimmer – and a lightness finds its way into your day. You can’t help but feel some appreciation for the beauty in the world. 

It’s the glimmers that are going to carry us when times are tough.