What’s in a name? Quite a lot in my books. You see I’ve always been the creative kind that holds in place until I’ve got a title (working or otherwise.) It acts as a guide post – for all the ideas that follow, and in some cases a filter. So while we’re still just a few days into this project with so many elements yet to unfold in the weeks and months that follow – I wanted to share how it was I came up with the title glimmers of bliss in the first place.
Not a day goes by without one study or another being completed and their respective findings being blasted throughout all means of media – “eat this and you’ll loose weight,” “do this and you’ll sleep better,” “give up that and you’ll look younger,” and on and on it goes. Wait long enough though, and you’re sure to be met with another batch of experts who – after a study of their own – will disprove every aspect of the first study and back and forth it goes. Admittedly, I’ve been swayed at times by the spin, but as I advance ‘ever so gracefully’ though what is (hopefully) the midpoint of this adventure called life – it’s common sense that has triumphed over all those expert studies. Call it my own series of ‘personal trial and error’ reports and while some lessons have taken longer than others to register – at the minute I’m keeping it between the ditches and moving forward at a blissful clip.
There are however, some scientifically proven hard facts that every study supports – whether I chose to embrace them or not. You see, as it turns out, after years of neuroscience research they have discovered our brains are actually hard-wired to see things negatively first – or more accurately we “experience negativity bias.” Suffice it to say, I had a negative reaction to that finding, but I’ll be the first to admit it goes a long way to making sense of all those ‘spirit suckers’ in the world. And while it might justify the disposition of that glass-half empty lot – I’m hopeful that just like all those other once embraced bad behaviours and questionable habits – common sense will guide us to a greater way of being.
And to be clear, I recognize EVERYONE is dealing with their own unique position on this planet – be it stable or shaky, dealing with their own unique background – be it happy or heartbreaking, and moving forward with their own unique challenges – be they great opportunities or soul-crushing circumstances. It is with that understanding that still remain hopeful. Hoping that, if you’re reading this, you might pause amidst the mayhem – be it the relentless pursuit of the next big goal or simply getting through another day – pause and recognize a smidge of good wherever it might exist.
I truly believe that if we stop to embrace the tiny bits of bliss in life – all those little things that pop up along the way in a day that make us smile, grant us peace, or have us hearkening back to a long-forgotten and oh so fond memory – it will go along way towards a positive spin and an optimistic outlook. If we just grab onto those glimmers over time they’ll add up and become our very own GLOW. That’s what the glimmers of bliss project is all about.
Now, If you read my first post for this project you know I’ve been thinking about this mission for a long time – I just didn’t have a name for it. That was until I can across an article in USA Today. It was written by Wellness and Lifestyle Reporter, Sara M Moniuszko, and sited a licensed clinical social worker by the name of Deb Dana who had coined the phrase “glimmers” as being the opposite of “triggers.” While you may not have heard of the former, I’m going to bet you’ve caught wind of the latter. Heck, if you’re like me and living with teenager you’ve hear the phrase “that triggers me” beyond a bunch of times. In a nutshell, it’s something or someone or some circumstance that immediately garners a negative result. Ms. Dana expounds upon that subject far more articulately as well as on “glimmers” which she defines as “small moments when our biology is in a place of connection or regulation, which cues our nervous system to feel safe or calm – we’re not talking great, big, expansive experiences of joy or safety or connection,” but rather “these are micro moments that begin to shape our system in very gentle ways.” You can read the article in its entirety here and read more about Deb Dana’s “Rhythm of Regulation” on her official website here. All that to say – while we may be predisposed to see the negative – there are biological rewards for recognizing the positive.
And so glimmers of bliss was born. And just like the glimmers themselves – I’m starting small, but as we perpetually positive people are prone – I have truly great plans for this platform and I’m so hoping you’ll be here for it all. sb
While you’re here…
if you’d care to share a glimmer from your day – a bit of bliss you thought of as you read this post or a lovely glimmer you hold in your heart always – please feel free to pop it in the comments below so we can build up these glimmers of bliss as we go.
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