A smile from a stranger, a shared umbrella: Why we need to search for the glimmers in life

A glimmer, as you will see from this list, doesn’t have to be life changing, it just has to somehow arrive at your feet, and make your walk a little lighter, writes Frances Whiting

We’ve all been triggered by something and, depending on the circumstance, our responses to it are wildly varied.

But generally, the things that trigger us are not good for our mental health, and our reactions range from discomfort, tears, withdrawal and white hot rage.

So today, I thought I’d write about something a little more comforting in this world where it seems triggers are omnipresent for all of us every day – the glimmer.

Now the glimmer, I’ve recently been told, is the exact opposite of the trigger, something that gives you a rush of joy, of warmth, or recognition, of laughter and relief.

Something that falls at your feet, like a twirling, purple jacaranda flower just as you pass under its tree.

First of all, what a great word, and secondly, what a wonderful concept.

My friend Susan told me about the glimmer, which she defined as this: “The glimmer has to be unbidden, unexpected and transitory in nature … like a smile from a stranger.”

She said that since she started noticing them every day, her every day has become a little lovelier.

With that in mind, I started asking my family and my friends for their own “glimmers”.

A glimmer, as you will see from this list, doesn’t have to be life changing, it just has to somehow arrive at your feet, and make your walk a little lighter.

See if you can spot which ones came from teenagers …

Frances Whiting shares the little things that make our lives better every day.

● Unintentional harmonisation when singing a song with a friend (especially in the car).

● Waking up to takeaway coffee that’s been brought to you.

● A thistle blowing into your path, catching it, making a wish (even though you are a fully grown man).

● Getting ALL the green lights.

● Being let into the Taylor Swift ticket purchasing web page.

● The toast landing the right side up.

● Opening my kitchen window to hear a burst of kookaburra song outside.

● Seeing an old friend’s face in a crowd, and that moment when they raise their hand in greeting.

● A stranger sharing their umbrella with me.

● Turning on the radio and your favourite song is playing.

● A butterfly landing on my arm. Or a ladybird. Or any insect that seems to want to hang around me. Or not hella sting me.

● Being underneath a sudden sun shower. Sun and rain falling on me.

● My grandmother sending me a card and $20 falling out.

● Finding something you had completely given up on finding.

● A stranger complimenting me as I walk past: “I love your dress/shoes/hair”.

● Winning any amount of money at all on a Scratchie.

● The first scent of jasmine in my garden that lets me know Spring is on her way.

● Laughing with a friend over a joke absolutely no one else finds funny.

● The first time my baby smiled at me.

● Someone holding the lift for me.

● My Dad putting his arm around me when we are watching a footy game together.

Well, there we have it: a lovely list of glimmers. (What would you call that list? A shimmer of glimmers?)

Please write and tell me yours. Your letters, when they pop up in my mailbox, are always glimmers for me.

Originally published as A smile from a stranger, a shared umbrella: Why we need to search for the glimmers in life