Hello, friend.
How are you feeling today?
Did you have the opportunity to notice any glimmers this past week? Glimmers are the small moments each day that bring you a sense of calm and spaciousness. And maybe some joy.
I start each morning walking my Saluki Odin. On my morning walk, I express gratitude to the Universe for my life and blessings. A few days ago, just when I started my walk, a friend texted me that she needed some healing vibes/energy/prayers. She wrote as I passed this sunrise. I took it in and sent the photo to her.
Experiencing the sunrise (and sharing it with her) was a glimmer moment.
I wrote down a lot of them this week. They are alive, just like my challenges and struggles and moments of despair are. The glimmers are just as real. Noticing them expands my sense of hope.
Each day of the week brought different glimmers.
Last Wednesday, I thought a lot about Norman Lear after hearing the news of his death at age 101. I was a kid in the heyday of his groundbreaking and hilarious TV shows.
I remembered the thrill of seeing the suit actor Sherman Hemsley wore in Lear’s hit show ‘The Jeffersons’ when I visited the Smithsonian’s Nationa; Museum of African American History & Culture and I shared a photo of it on my instagram:
My sister and I started writing to each other about our memories of watching ‘The Jeffersons’—how much we loved it and ‘Good Times’ and ‘All in the Family’ (which I was probably too young to really understand.)
A glimmer can be like that, too–a reminder of something we’ve experienced that brought us joy. Memories animated and alive inside of us.
You might sense a glimmer moment by how your body, your heart, your spirit feels. Pay attention to that.
Writing them down can extend them. It can spread their magic. It can help us to notice the connection and sparkle in our lives.
I decided to bring some creative play to my Hanukkah celebration this year. there is so much pain and destruction in the world right now. We feel it. Creativity gives me hope and so I decided to challenge myself in a fun, creative way.
Through the holiday (tonight will be the fourth night), I’ve been writing haiku about finding light, understanding, inspiration. Glimmers.
Want to give it a try? A haiku is a short poem with a structure of three lines. The first line has 5 syllables, the second has 7 syllables, the third line has 5 syllables again.
The structure originated in Japan and was mastered by the poet Matsuo Basho. The brevity of a haiku brings us into the present moment by describing what’s in front of us.
For example, making latkes by hand was another one of my glimmer moments this week. Here’s the haiku that I wrote about the plate of latkes in front of me:
Our homemade latkes
Hand-grated and imperfect
A taste of heaven
If I can write a haiku about potato latkes, imagine the possibilities! Start with reviewing your glimmers and see what comes up for you.
Writing Practice: Set aside 5-7 minutes for this practice. Write in a journal or open a ‘Journey with The Season’ document where you can return each Sunday.
Prompt: Start by making a list of glimmer moments from the week that’s gone by. If you kept a journal of them, read through your list and circle and highlight any glimmers that really pique your curiosity or interest.
Pick a moment and write out sensory details of what made it a glimmer:
What was happening? Who was there? When did the glimmer moment take place? How did it feel in your body? What made you pay attention to this glimmer?
If you want to try a haiku, use the 5-7-5 structure to describe your glimmer moment.
Psssst: Want some inspiration to get started? I created a winter haiku word bank with words about peace, light, understanding and inspiration. Grab a few words and get started!
I’d love to read your expressions. Leave a comment here or email me your response at gabriellekm@gmail.com.
Deepening Practice: Write a daily haiku for a week. Write about any glimmer moment, the beauty of nature, the light getting darker, a memory or a dream. See what happens as you commit to the practice of writing each day.
Really excited for my upcoming Winter Solstice Writing Circle on December 21st! If you’re a paid subscriber to Journey With the Seasons, you’ll receive an invitation and zoom link…plus a winter solstice journal. No need to register. If you’re a free subscriber, you can upgrade your subscription or register here for this session.
With a paid subscription you’ll receive access to two live (online) writing circles for Summer and Winter Solstice and also two downloadable journals during the year. Plus my eternal gratitude!!! You can upgrade anytime for these perks …or skip them and know you’re supporting my work. Thank you!
Sending you much love & many glimmers, Gabrielle Ariella