'Glimmers' - a game changing way of looking at the world around to boost your happiness

Glimmers are those micro moments of goodness in our lives

Glimmers - those micro moments of goodness in our lives

Have you come across the concept of ‘Glimmers’? It’s a concept I've only just come across, and a bit of a game changer in being able to alter our perspective on life. 'Glimmers' are the micro-moments of goodness in our lives - and the recognition of these moments and being grateful for them can lift our day and make us happier.

We might think happiness is a constant state to aim for (but this will cause dissatisfaction at the frustration of not being happy all the time - infact let go of the idea that you can, or should be happy all the time - it’s impossible and a futile effort) It’s best to accept that life’s a bit of rollercoaster with its ups and downs, good times and challenging times. Once you accept that you’ll be lighter (and happier haha)

Glimmers are like rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds that have the power to uplift and inspire us. Glimmers are the moments that can make us smile, and feel a sense of satisfaction at.

These micro-moments of goodness can be as simple as witnessing a beautiful view, sharing a positive connection with someone, a loving look from a child's eyes, receiving a good deed, just recognising a beautiful thing (even a small thing in an otherwise drab environment), enjoying some music, receiving a message from a friend, having a moment of clarity, tasting something delicious, a hot bath when it’s cold outside…. you get the picture.

They are simple things, but also, very important things - as they are all around us and very accessible - if only we look for them, recognise them, savour them and enjoy them.

Nature is rich with glimmers

The natural world is full of glimmers: the sounds, the sun beaming on your face on a walk, old trees and beautiful plants blooming along your path, majestic mountains in the distance, the roar of the sea, cascading waterfalls…the list is endless.

Glimmers can mean different things to different people as different things make different people happy - the key is to just notice these micro moments of goodness more, to stop, and just appreciate those things that just make you think “I love that” “that makes me happy” There’s an art to noticing these glimmers - but they are there if you try and look for them.

Take no thing for granted

If you’re struggling to find glimmers, maybe alter you point of reference. Go to the imaginary extreme - imagine just living alone on somewhere like the moon, with nothing or no one else for company. It might seem extreme (or peaceful bliss to some haha) but after a while there’s plenty you’d miss about what you have in your current life. Just thinking about that solitary existence in a desolate environment could help you recognise those glimmers in your life.

When I’m in the great outdoors on a walk it’s full of glimmers. The scenery, the sounds, the sun. Sometimes I get a photo but it never does the full experience justice - but just by taking the photo is a symbolic way of recognising, appreciating and reinforcing the fact that this is a good moment to savour.

Recognising Glimmers significantly improves our mental health

The connection between glimmers and mental health is profound. They act as reminders that life is always filled with beauty and positivity, even amidst challenging times - if we just look for these moments and savour them.

In just viewing life in moments and valuing the smaller moments of goodness in our lives more, appreciating the glimmmers, life can become richer and more full of happiness.

When we focus on the small joys, we can be alleviated by the pressures of larger worries and higher standards, and the pressure of aiming to be always happy diminishes, and we focus less on worries about the future and past and just live in the present more. By living in, and appreciating the present more, our whole life improves.

So in summary, Whatever your day entails - look for the glimmers, the little micro moments of goodness and appreciate them. You’ll find the biggest thing: your state of mind, your mental health, the way you look at life, improves as a result 🤟

Cultivating glimmers

You’ll need to learn to slow down, pause and be more present to notice the glimmers and the small joys of our existence. Savour these fleeting moments and just be more appreciative of these small blessings. Personally I find it easier to see glimmers when I’m surrounded by beauty, in nature as it’s easy to slow down in these tranquil places where things aren’t constantly demanding attention and there’s no distractions. Once you learn how to slow down and savour things, you can take it into other areas of your life more easily.

It’s like training our minds to be more aware of the positive things and give our focus to what is right and good rather than what’s wrong and bad. It will greatly improve our mental health in thinking this way.

When you notice a glimmer, take a moment to fully experience it. Whether it’s a beautiful sight, a delicious taste, or a heartwarming interaction, savouring and being present in these moments amplifies their impact. It’s like when you are eating a nice meal, you can wolf it down your neck, or enjoy and savour the taste of every bite - it’s just a question of awareness, that will come with practice.

These micro-moments of goodness and small sparks of joy, connection, and positivity serve as powerful reminders that life’s beauty is all around us – we just need to pause and take notice. As we intentionally cultivate the practice of recognising and cherishing these moments, we create a ripple effect of happiness and resilience that brightens our lives and in turn the lives of those around us.

Nature is rich with glimmers

You can go even deeper if you wish, and I think it’s summed up perfectly by Henry Miller, from an extract of his book, Black Spring:

"I think the moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent thing in itself just to exist [after millions and billions of years of life on this planet or indeed universe of ours]. The more I look at a thing, the more I see in it, and the more I see in it, the more I want to see. It is like peeling an onion. There is always another layer, and another, and another. And each layer is more beautiful than the last.
This is the way I look at the world. I don't see it as a collection of objects, but as a vast and mysterious organism. I see the beauty in the smallest things, and I find wonder in the most ordinary events. I am always looking for the hidden meaning, the secret message. I am always trying to understand the mystery of life.
I know that I will never understand everything, but that doesn't stop me from trying. I am content to live in the mystery, to be surrounded by the unknown. I am content to be a seeker, a pilgrim, a traveler on the road to nowhere."

Post by Stuart Hodgson
'The Hiking Photographer'

I share my adventures as I love the outdoors and it's spectacular natural landscapes and want to help others get outdoors too. Being outside can also bring many physical and mental health benefits to us and I want others to reap these benefits too. I hope you enjoy the blog and it inspires you to plan a trip!

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