The Gift of Focus - Choosing to Embrace Glimmers of Joy in the Darkness

As the days grow shorter and darkness wraps itself around our evenings, this time of year can feel heavy for many. The dim light and colder air often mirror an inward pull, drawing us into reflection—or sometimes restlessness. Yet, in this physical darkness lies an invitation to discover the profound power of focus, particularly on what many might overlook: the glimmers of joy, gratitude, and meaning that illuminate our lives in surprising ways.

The Beauty of Small Glimmers

In the rush of daily life, it’s easy to overlook the small, fleeting moments that can bring warmth to the soul—a soft laugh, a kind word, or the way the morning frost sparkles like crushed diamonds. These glimmers, though seemingly insignificant, hold transformative potential. They remind us that light persists even in the deepest shadows.

Focusing on these glimmers requires intention. It’s not always our instinct to notice the subtle gifts scattered throughout the day, especially when the noise of the world pulls us toward worry, obligation, or distraction. Yet, by pausing to notice them, we train ourselves to see more clearly what truly matters.

Gratitude as a Lens

Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools we have to sharpen this focus. It is a practice, not just a feeling—an active choice to turn our attention toward the gifts that life offers us. When we focus on gratitude, we’re not ignoring the challenges or pains we face. Instead, we’re choosing to let the light of appreciation shine on the things that nourish and sustain us, even in hard times.

Science supports this wisdom. Studies consistently show that gratitude can improve mental health, deepen relationships, and increase resilience. But beyond the data, gratitude gives us a framework for finding joy in what we already have rather than in what we lack. It shifts our focus from scarcity to abundance, from longing to presence.

What We Focus on Grows

There’s a well-known saying: “Energy flows where attention goes.” What we focus on becomes magnified in our experience. If we spend our time lamenting the long nights and cold days, they’ll feel even heavier. But if we shift our gaze to the tiny miracles around us—maybe the way candlelight dances, the satisfaction of a warm drink in our hands, or the quiet of a winter evening—we’ll find ourselves more attuned to life’s quiet beauty.

This practice doesn’t erase hardship, but it creates space for light to coexist with darkness. It reminds us that even in the most challenging seasons, there is something worth cherishing.

How to See the Gifts

If you’re looking for ways to cultivate focus and gratitude during this season, here are a few ideas to try:

1. Keep a Gratitude Journal
   Write down three things each day that brought you joy or comfort. Over time, you’ll notice how your perspective begins to shift.

2. Pause for Glimmers
   During your day, take a few moments to actively look for something beautiful or heartwarming—a child’s laughter, the scent of pine, or even the cozy weight of a blanket.

3. Practice Mindful Presence
   When you notice a glimmer, don’t rush past it. Take a deep breath and let yourself fully savor it.

4. Share Your Gratitude
   Tell someone you appreciate them. Sharing your gratitude amplifies its power, strengthening connections and spreading warmth.

A Time to Refocus

This season of physical darkness isn’t just a time to endure; it’s a time to recalibrate. By choosing to focus on the glimmers, we can train ourselves to see the light in every season. Gratitude helps us remember what truly matters, grounding us in the present and opening our eyes to the beauty of life’s small gifts.

So, as the long nights settle in, let’s choose to be seekers of light—not by waiting for the sun to return, but by finding the glimmers already around us. They’re there, waiting to be noticed, inviting us into a brighter, fuller way of being.

Wishing you and yours a season of memory making, joy and kindness!

Alana

Now’s the time.