Driving on interstate highway in torrential downpour, first surprise was a vulture flying over the road. Second surprise, falling leaves in the midst of the downpour.
Walking the dog this morning, first surprise was a hawk sitting on the fence. Second surprise a flock of geese flying overhead and honking. Third surprise three vultures flying the opposite direction.
Have you been able to find glimmers during your day? Though we have had some nights with temperatures in the very low 40s I was still able to pick a couple bouquets of flowers! Those Bachelor’s Buttons just keep giving that lovely deep blue. Nasturtiums entertain us with the various colors. A few mums here and there and a dianthus to pink up the blossoms. Won’t be long before the only flowers are store bought.
A few weeks ago I planted the remaining Bachelor Button seeds. Not certain what came up! Leaves do not resemble the others. Decided to just let them grow and see what happens in the spring, assuming they survive the winter!
Watch for the glimmer sin your day. Note them. Give thanks for them. Take this beyond the gratitude list. Ponder how fortunate you are to have noticed these things. You are fortunate! I have a friend who is legally blind. She would love to be able to see what you can see. I have another friend who cannot smell any thing. Are you aware that it is s gift just to be able to take your next breath? And this one?
Glimmers and gratitude can both interrupt our mundane boring day. Open your eyes and ears and all of your being to this very moment in your/q
Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. life. And give thanks.
Recently I was given a magazine called “First for Women.” I kept it because I wanted to read the cover article about Queen Latifah. I came to appreciate her talent through a TV program that aired for a couple of seasons. That article was pretty good, but what got me really excited was the article about “Glimmers.”
I had not heard of this idea before. It is similar to gratitude or gratefulness, yet slightly different. I guess it began with research by Deb Dana, LCSW with Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. He is a Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. Their research has to do with study of the polyvagal theory in trauma treatment. The concept of glimmers has gone viral on TikTok. (I do not use it, but the magazine reported it.) Deb Dana says, “In these moments the vagus nerve is in a state of regulation. To fully thrive, we also have to experience safety and connection. Glimmers remind us that good does exist in this crazy world.”
Speaking with The New York Post Ms. Dana said, “Glimmers are these tiny moments of OK-ness, joy, excitement, ease, calm, any of those flavors that give you the feeling that you are safe enough in the world to feel present and OK,” Dana said.
How do you know if you’ve bumped up against a glimmer?
“You may feel something happen in your body, a warmth or an openness or breath change, or your eyes might focus on something. It may bring a slight smile. So there’s an embodied response,” she added.
“The brain follows suit with its own response, recognizing that something is beautiful or fun or that it likes it: “It’s a body-brain experience, and they work together,” Dana noted.
“Noticing glimmers is a powerful healing practice. It’s important to remember that no glimmer is too small to notice. Each small moment of goodness contributes to a broader sense of well-being and recovery. Think about each glimmer as one piece of a larger puzzle. By actively looking for and appreciating these moments, you can gradually shift your focus from the pain of trauma to the small joys in life.
“Over time, this practice can lead to significant improvements in your mental health and resilience.”
I believe we all need improvements in our mental health especially in this tumultuous year of 2025. So if you have grown tired of listing gratitudes, or sharing your gratefulness, why not begin to look for glimmers? Then take the bold step of sharing them with someone else! Remember, no glimmer is too small!
When I went to the Associates retreat a over a week ago I was watching for my full stop. I consider the retreat a success when I finally put everything aside and come to a full stop before the Lord.
The material presented was not what I was expecting. Therefore, I was a little out of step.
The first day I was at the retreat house alone and totally enjoyed the deep silence. I provided my own meals and just got as quiet as I could, dropping cares and concerns as each hour slid past. I did some journaling, crochet, reading and just lots of rest.
Instead of the presentation being about centering prayer the couple, Peter and Nicole, presented us with ways to stay grounded even amidst our own worries, challenges and concerns. They even went so far as to ask us our concerns and then address those during the retreat! I found that both refreshing and kind.
The main words of emphasis were first, Awe or wonder, like Moses seeing the burning bush that did not burn up.
Awe, on the other hand, is the sense of wonder and humility inspired by the sublime or felt in the presence of mystery. … Awe, unlike fear, does not make us shrink from the awe-inspiring object, but, on the contrary, draws us near to it. This is why awe is comparable to both love and joy. – God in Search of Man by Rabbi Abraham Heschel.
The next word was Grace. He likened it most to Exodus 34:6 when God’s presence passed before Moses. He reminded us that God physically turns towards us. God has preferences for those struggling with health issues, the marginalized, the ones society judges as “less than.” God is near though we at times do not recognize the Presence.
The final word was Hope. It was likened as a rope or lifeline to vulnerable people with promise of a future fulfillment. God’s outcome or plan is better than we can imagine. Remember that no matter what happens, God IS in control.
I connected with the wife of the retreat team. We both have had fibromyalgia for many years. We both struggle with the things fibro and aging bring our way. We laughed in the hallway about we should write a comedy book together about the challenges of fibro.
Nicole and me
Like most of my friends she is a bit shorter than me. That just tells me we fit together!
I noticed one morning that the cricket chorus was not playing. Some place on line I found this comment. “However, crickets generally don’t chirp when the temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.”
So drats. Nice sleeping with the window open to cool the bedroom, but sad to no longer have the cricket chorus of a morning.
As I write this it has even gotten too cold for the bedroom window to be open at night. Autumn has made her entrance. Toady is breezy and currently it is 48 degrees, but if you stay outdoors it feels cooler than that!
So the cricket chorus will not return for quite some time. Sad. But also, we have their return to look forward to! Kathy, are there crickets year ’round in your part of Florida?
Yielding to the changes as gracefully as I can. Getting out hat pattern I never completed last spring. Sporting the Cowl that my friend myrtle made for me. Perfect for those cold mornings walking the dog!
Wellllll, this was supposed to post Wednesday morning. Not off to a good start here!
I was away for several days over the weekend for an extended retreat. I do not have 5 posts for this particular week. Hopefully you will stay tuned and I will have more written for next week!
The first definitive rain and cold front moved through here the other day. Up at the flower shop the wind even threw on its side a potted tree. The many oak leaves that had littered the yard are gone – poof! – taken off to other places. The maples are starting to change, but have not yet blessed us with yellow showers. That will begin momentarily.
Writing about October author Joyce Rupp in her book “May I Have This Dance” says, “Although autumn might seem to be a harsh reminder of death, we can also be encouraged to enter into the mystery of eternal life. We see autumn standing in surrender as the winds sweep her trees naked. The frost browns her meadows and deadens her plants. But a deeper truth is beneath the appearance of death.
“A movement toward life takes place in autumn. Dead leaves that seem to have no value are transformed by winter snows and spring rains to rich humus for new growth… No new growth will come unless autumn agrees to let go of what has been. The same is true of our lives.”
Is that woman a great author or what?!? Are we willing to let go of what has been? Bob and I celebrate our birthdays about three weeks apart. He is two years older than I am. This aging thing brings both of us face to face with the changes that have occurred in our bodies over the many years we have been married. We are no longer strong and as frivolous like in our youth. We both want to approach aging with calmness, peace and an acceptance of what is. That is easier to write than to do. So much easier.
Turn the page
I do know from reading and re-reading the book Radical Acceptance that I only increase my suffering by refusing to accept what is. So here I am turning the corner on 75 and he just turned 77. My older friends in their 80s and 90s tell me I am still young. Whew! I do not feel young!!
The Holy Spirit assures me that God is not finished with me yet. As I learn what I am to lay aside and where to proceed I remember the trees and the changes autumn brings.
Molly, can you stand in surrender and be encouraged to enter into the mystery of eternal life? Dallas Willard taught that eternal life begins now for those of us who love and follow closely after God. There truly are times in my encounters with the Holy One that I can forget the challenges by body presents and breath deeply of the life God offers me in the here and now.
The following piece of music helps me do just that if I will stop, breathe deeply and listen closely. I hope it helps you draw close to God in the present moment and blesses you. I hope you will take the time to listen to all of this piece. For me, it is like a musical prayer. Three minutes, 53 seconds of bliss. Just stop and listen.
Here is the last rose of the year from our gardens.
This bush grows in the front flower bed. I bought it for under $5 at Walmart and kept it in the garage until it got warm enough to plant. I shielded it from the chomping deer with berry netting. It did not have a great year with insects even though I sprayed it. If it comes back next year it will get treated with the wonderful Bayer rose treatments that Betty Cooksey introduced me to. (Bayer says not to treat them the first year of planting, though I was tempted!!) I just wish I could send you the heavenly fragrance.
I quit growing Knock Out roses for a couple of reasons. They grow tremendously LARGE thorns. They have NO fragrance. I know that almost every rose from the flower shops have no fragrance but I love the sweet smell of a rose. So if I am going to go the trouble of growing them, I want them to be fragrant.
Bob was working in the backyard to clear the nasty grass that grows into our lot from the neighbors. We had our garden bed built up in the back as a mound to try to keep the weeds and grasses out. He was working to rid us of the jewelweed. It has been trying to take over everything back there. Because of the hot drought weather this summer it was not even pretty. The hummingbirds did not seem interested. Perhaps if we removed it before the seeds exploded all over the place we will have less to deal with next year?
Ripe seed pods burst open when touched
The good news is he got 1/3 done the first day. The bad news is he fell down and I was not home. The good news is the fall detector on our new Apple Watches works!! The bad news is he bruised his hip and arm. The good news is he did not fall on his new knee replacement!!! Drum roll!! The other good news is he was able to get up by himself and has decided not to work in the garden again unless I am home.
He got the second third done out there another day. The yard is certainly looking as if autumn will fall upon us any minute. Weather man says leaves will fall in another couple of weeks. Then I will put the roses to bed under a pile of soil and pray for lots and lots of flowers next year!
AND … I guess I should have pruned these branches out back on that other rose! It way outgrew the berry netting. Bob teased that soon it will be touching the house. I was hoping it would bloom from those. Alas, it did not. Considering the deer ate it to the ground more than once last year, this is one amazing little shrub (oh, not so little before pruning).
Jeff, one of the guided meditation leaders on the app, recently noted there are 4 medicines of meditation
Concentration – home base
Clarity – notice what is actually happening, return to the present
Letting things be exactly as they are – allow, deep medicine of equanimity
Care – give self love and support
I was impressed that those are also what we try to get closer to by following the Jesus Way!
By concentration I think of as not being distracted by the things of the world. Focus upon God.
Clarity hoping to have the mind of Christ in this present moment. Here and now.
Letting things be exactly as they are – not trying to change things to suit ourselves and not whining and complaining about God not doing this MY way.
Care for ourself and others. Most of us have never learned consistent, healthy self care.
These four ‘medicines’ are taught by many different disciplines. I think they are important for us to remember and apply to our own lives.
These four merit occasional review to see how we are doing. Bob keeps reminders in his desk calendar on when to change the furnace filters, when to do various jobs throughout the year. Maybe we could each put these 4 in our calendars to review for ourselves once a month?!?
25-10-5 The bird was early Still dark outside Cricket symphony in full swing First bird begins to chirp I assumed they waited until dawn Not this one It had a few bars to express Crickets resume With dogs holding forth the timpani percussion Bird fell silent again Perhaps talking in his sleep?
Which reminds me. When the hummingbirds were still here I saw one sleeping on the branch of the spice bush. As you may know those hummers are constantly guarding the feeder. This one did not move for over five minutes. I can not be certain, but I think he was catching a nap!
John Mark Comer has me on a growth course. I am trying to do his ‘first thing in the morning exercise.’ I get my coffee and sit in my prayer chair at the bedroom window. Lately I have been reviewing the day before briefly with the Lord. Then I ask for a Psalm or Scripture to focus upon. I pray that passage to God. I talk with God about my life. I listen for his voice and “attempt to just let go.” Comer goes on to instruct, “But most of the time I just sit there. I breathe. And I look at what my eyes can’t see.” Lately, I have taken that looking to mean adoration.
My journal entries from this practice have blessed and carried me throughout the day. I have returned to wearing my beaded bracelet that reads, “Constantly renewed immediacy.” When it rattles or gets my attention I do my best to renew my immediate awareness of the Lord’s presence.
The time flies past when I practice this. And it also takes almost no time at all! I am amazed and delighted. I refer to the daily Lectionary readings to find the psalm(s) of the day. Sometimes I use those. Or one of the readings, or we just sit together. Here is one entry from last week.
25-10-9 Awaken me to You
Lord the day has begun as a computer mess. Like a bucket of messy spaghetti poured all over the floor. I choose to let that distraction go and pray for you to “hold my face in your hands” as Stephanie sings in “When You’re This Close.” My heart’s desire is to know you as this close. I am dizzy with new drug dose. Getting 2 immunizations today and needing your touch with those. Protect me my Lord from side effects and reactions I pray. I already have a clenched stomach since yesterday.
I look to you as my healer. Psalm for the daily office – Ps 131
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quiet my soul, Like a child at it’s mother’s breast Like a child that is quieted is my soul.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. O Israel hope in the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
As I still my soul and make it quiet I realize it is drugged and bleary. Lord hold me close. Awaken me to your presence and your care. I want to be aware of you. Like Brother Lawrence I want to be aware of your closeness and touch. I want to hear your voice saying turn to the right or turn to the left. Isa 30:21
I wait and listen for you now. As I got still I heard,
This is just a season, an episode, like a cloud passing over the earth, an occurrence that will pass. Wait it out with expectations for great things, not doom. Look to me and be radiant. (Ps 34)
You are a good, good Father. Even as I read out to Pastor Brad (at Bible study last night so he could write them on the white board) what the psalms were for today I did not catch 131 as one of my favorites. Even as I typed it and read it with bleary eyes it did not register until I had the computer read it back to me this morning, until you encouraged me with “wait it out with great expectations.” O Lord forgive me for gloom and help me to fix my eyes upon you with great expectations. The Insight meditation about letting go of control brought me ‘round to facing you fully and being held in your arms of love. I am going to be okay.
EXPECTATIONS FOR GREAT THINGS, NOT DOOM
7:14AM new bird call, still seems dark. Not new, Merlin Bird ID says little Carolina Wren singing praises.
So I went into that day trying to calm and quiet my soul. Waiting upon the Lord with expectations for great things. The next day I had to remember the message I heard from this day as the side effects of the immunizations kicked in. One evening Bob and I both felt just lousy and went to bed early, but we tried not to let that get us down. The immunization side effects have lessened now. The new drug dose, well, I still am not accustomed to it. Hopefully I will adjust soon!
Have you tried this method of starting your day? Have you written down the experience. I strongly encourage both. I never do this with the idea of sharing with anyone else. I do it for myself. Though sometimes, I am asked to let you glimpse what happens between my Lord and me. I hope those glimpses encourage you to try this sort of practice. God is no respecter of persons. He will help you and bless your attempts to practice his presence.
Treasures in Plain Sight, A Christian Blog 