Noticing Glimmers
Soul Care for Wounded Healers August Newsletter
When I was in the midst of my workaholic codependent rescuing behavior, I had a friend who would frequently stop all, to notice the sunset or pull over on a drive to see a flock of geese. I remember sometimes feeling shocked, parts of me saying we need to keep going!
Time pressure and productivity was relative. She knew we aren't cogs in a machine, we need pauses and created space for moments of delight and appreciation of natural beauty. She still does, and invites others into that with her, including in her work as a horticultural therapist at a women's recovery program. Her ability to pause, to get outside and see the sunset has stuck with me.
I recently learned of the invitation to ‘notice glimmers’, as a counterbalance to the 'triggers’ that our body experiences related to previous trauma, habits, or addictions.
Glimmers are an invitation to be present to beauty, joy, and delight—these small moments can help regulate our body, cueing ‘our nervous system to feel safe or calm’. The term was coined by Deb Dana, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in complex trauma, in her 2018 book "The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy.” From this USA Today article to TikTok videos, the idea of noticing glimmers is starting to spread.
I’m not on TikTok, so received this video and learned about ‘glimmers’ in an Embody Lab training.
Embodied Practice:
Notice how you feel before you watch the video. What sensations do you notice in your body? Where can you locate tension? Pressure?
The next time you are in nature or smell freshly baked bread, I encourage you to recognize this as a glimmer, to receive this micro-moment as a gift that regulates your body. Inhale the moment, let it become nourishment.
Don’t underestimate the goodness of noticing these little moments. They can be avenues through which you regulate your body, being more present to yourself, and loving to those around you.
As it feels right to you, may these glimmers be invitation into connection with the God of beauty and delight, and your belovedness.
Perhaps start keeping track of your glimmers, like a glimmer journal alongside a gratitude journal.
Check out this VeryWellMind article if you’d like to learn more.
And I’d love to hear your thoughts! It’s a new concept for me, but one that resonates and flows with the goodness of attuning to God’s presence with us in all things.
Resources
BURNOUT & RECOVERY RESOURCE LIST (Hay varias en Español también)
List includes: spiritual director search sites, counseling cooperatives, trainings, cohorts, apps, as well as some of the resources I use in my soul care groups.
If you have recommendations, I'd love to hear about them!
CUSTOMIZED NON-PROFIT WORKSHOPS
Based on the book, From Burned Out to Beloved, workshops integrate discussion questions, grounding activities, trauma research, recovery tools, contemplative practices, and other spiritual disciplines. They seek to improve the overall well-being of individuals, enhance organizational culture, and improve sustainability and effectiveness in work.
Workshop topics can be combined or tailored specifically for your group. Contact me to start the conversation.
INSIGHT TIMER GUIDED MEDITATIONS
Follow me on Insight Timer to be notified when new meditations are posted.
I’ve recorded some of my soul care group meditations for your listening and prayerful contemplation on-the-go! I welcome your rating and sharing of the meditations.
EXTERNAL RESOURCE FEATURES
Looking for more training on embodied practices, parts work, self-discovery? Check out The Embody Lab.
Bethany Dearborn Hiser is the Director of Soul Care for Northwest Family Life, a network of therapists trained to work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma.
She is the author of From Burned Out to Beloved: Soul Care for Wounded Healers. For more about her, her book, or workshops she offers, visit: