November is National Gratitude Month: The Power of Glimmers and Gratitude

November 13, 2024 / Get Well

As we celebrate National Gratitude Month, we invite you on a journey to discover the transformative power of small moments of gratitude in our daily lives. In this two-part series, we’ll explore how recognizing and appreciating life’s subtle gifts can enhance our well-being, particularly in the workplace.

Part One introduces us to “glimmers”—those fleeting instances of joy that can brighten our day—and explores how cultivating gratitude can turn these moments into lasting sources of positivity. In Part Two, we’ll build on this foundation by diving into practical strategies for recognizing and embracing “micro-moments,” teaching us how to intentionally seize opportunities for joy and connection throughout our workday.

Through this exploration, you’ll discover how these seemingly small practices can lead to improvements in workplace satisfaction, relationships and overall well-being. Let’s begin with the art of noticing and appreciating life’s everyday gifts.

The Power of Glimmers and Gratitude
In the fast-paced world of daily life and work, it’s easy to miss the small, beautiful moments that contribute to our happiness and well-being. These brief moments of joy, known as “glimmers,” often go unnoticed, yet they hold the power to transform our mindset and improve our overall experience. By learning to recognize and appreciate these glimmers, we can cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude, which in turn can help us navigate even the most stressful of times with greater resilience and connection.

Understanding Glimmers and Gratitude
What are glimmers? Imagine a quiet moment during a stressful day when the sunlight catches your desk just right or when a colleague unexpectedly offers a kind word. These small experiences, first introduced by social worker Deb Dana as a part of the Polyvagal Theory, are micro-moments of joy that help us feel happy, connected, hopeful and safe. Glimmers can happen anywhere—at work, at home or in public—and while they are often overlooked, recognizing and embracing them can significantly boost our well-being.

Gratitude, the practice of acknowledging and appreciating the good things in our lives, is key to unlocking the power of glimmers. When we take a moment to focus on the positive aspects of our day, like the kindness of a colleague or a successful project completion, we create a sense of appreciation that can carry us through challenges. Imagine how much more meaningful a simple “thank you” from a team member could become when we pause to reflect on it. Gratitude strengthens relationships, improves our health and enhances happiness—making our day brighter, even in tough moments.

The Impact of Embracing Glimmers
In the workplace, small gestures of support—like a colleague offering help during a busy day—can be a powerful glimmer. While these moments might typically receive quick acknowledgment, their positive impact can be fleeting. However, by taking time to reflect on such kindness and express gratitude, we can transform these brief encounters into experiences that have lasting positive effects on our mood, productivity and relationships. This conscious practice of gratitude turns fleeting glimmers into sustained sources of positivity that enhance our daily work experience.

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A little note that says National Gratitude Month attached to a tree limb with clothespins and a colorful fall leaf

Submitted by:
Dahlia Henry-Tett, Chief Wellness Officer (CWO), employeewellbeing@nvcc.edu