Micro moments of Joy are worth slowing down for. As children, we called it a sense of wonder after reading Rachel Carson. I was lucky enough to have an Aunt Nan who walked the beach with me and marveled at each shell and egg case I picked up and explained to me what they were. Out on the moors, she knew the name of all the wildflowers and shrubs and where to pick beach plums and high bush blueberries. In her back yard she could identify every bird that visited her crab apple tree. She was a walking field guide and I owe the cultivation of my sense of wonder to her. What a gift.
Nowadays there are movements and hashtags centered around #joyspotting and #glimmer moments, which to me are the same thing. Lady Bugs, Sunsets, Rainbows, Northern Lights, Bubbles, Pinwheels, Confetti, Cherry Blossoms and More. Many Social Media posts are in fact photos of glimmer moments or joy spotting. My Instagram Feed is full of them.
In a constantly overstimulated (and negative) world, glimmer moments, joy spotting and a sense of wonder can help build resilience. If we spend our energy looking for what’s good around us, we can release stress, settle our nervous systems, and slowly rewire our brains. I have spent decades fostering my sense of wonder – it’s never too late to start.
How to Cultivate a Sense of Wonder
The other day I was in traffic on a side road. Suddenly it began to rain pink petals from a gorgeous tree. The wind carried them to both sides of my car, a few even floating through the open windows. It was a lovely experience.