A person’s brain is designed to respond to negative experiences, but research suggests that people should train their brains to find joys. When a person trains their brain to notice “glimmers", those small, positive moments that bring light into our day, something profound happens – a person’s disposition shifts from focusing on what’s wrong to appreciating what’s right.
The simple practice of reframing not only changes how we experience the world, but it also shapes how our children learn to see theirs. Children learn by example. When we model resilience and optimism, they absorb those mindsets. A rainy day becomes an invitation to splash in puddles or share a warm, cozy moment indoors. A mistake turns into a stepping stone for growth. A moment of frustration becomes a gentle reminder to pause and reset.
This way of seeing doesn’t ignore challenges—it transforms them. When we reframe setbacks as opportunities, we nurture emotional resilience and teach children to find the beauty in the everyday. Over time, this mindset reduces stress, fosters hope, and builds stronger emotional foundations. As a parent you might like to:
- Share moments of joy with your child daily and invite them to do the same.
- Pause to appreciate simple pleasures—a kind word, a shared laugh, a quiet moment.
- Reframe challenges: What can we learn? What unexpected, good came from this?
Turning negative moments into positive glimmers offers a range of powerful benefits for both emotional wellbeing and personal growth. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Builds Emotional Resilience
Reframing challenges helps us bounce back more quickly from setbacks. When we find meaning or growth in difficult moments, we build inner strength and adaptability—skills that are especially important for children as they develop.
2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Focusing on glimmers shifts the brain’s attention away from stress and threat. Over time, this helps calm the nervous system and reduces the intensity and duration of anxiety or overwhelm.
3. Strengthens Optimism
By actively seeking out the good—even in tough situations—we train our brains to develop a more hopeful and balanced outlook. This supports a more optimistic mindset, which has been linked to better mental and physical health.
4. Enhances Relationships
When we practice gratitude and share glimmers with others, it fosters connection. This can deepen relationships, build empathy, and create a more positive social environment at home, at school, and in the wider community.
5. Encourages a Growth Mindset
Seeing mistakes or setbacks as opportunities to learn helps children and adults alike develop a growth mindset. This fuels motivation, curiosity, and a willingness to try again.
6. Creates Lasting Habits of Joy
When we regularly pause to notice glimmers—like a shared laugh, a moment of quiet, kind word—we start building a habit of appreciation. Over time, this habit rewires the brain to seek out more of these moments, making joy more accessible and frequent.
The practice of finding glimmers in life is an important aspect of the St Margaret’s community, as we are committed to fostering a nurturing, positive environment grounded in gratitude and emotional connection.
Angela Drysdale