Glimmers of Gratitude: Finding Light Through Healing, Reiki & Everyday Moments

Although we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here in the Isle of Man, I’m part of so many international Reiki communities, and this week they’re all gearing up for gratitude ceremonies and celebrations. In fact, I’m joining a Reiki gratitude ceremony later today — hence my reflection on gratitude this morning.

 Not the kind you force or write down because someone’s told you to (although I do like to this as well sometimes).
But the real, gentle kind that appears in the tiny moments of our day.

The glimmers.

 I read recently that these little moments of joy — the ones that make you pause and smile without even thinking — are called “glimmers,” and I just loved that. We hear so much about triggers, but glimmers feel like their hopeful counterpart.

 A bird playing in the garden.
The wind rustling the leaves on the trees.
The warmth of the sun on your face.
A night sky full of stars.

A full moon illuminating the dark sky.
A soft breeze, a quiet moment, a deep breath.

Those are the things that ground me.
Those are the things I look for.
Every. Single. Day.

 I live one day at a time now, and finding these small sparks of gratitude has become part of my healing life. And I’ll be honest — this practice came from a very real place.

 When the world sees one thing, but you're living another

I remember when I had absolutely no energy. When even making it to the garden felt like climbing a mountain. I would drag myself outside to the garden, lay a blanket on the grass, and just sit in the sun. I wasn’t “sunbathing.” I wasn’t relaxing. I was trying to feel alive.

 But I remember people saying things like:
“You’re so lucky you get to sunbathe in the garden all day!”

 What they didn’t see was the effort it took just to get myself outside. What they didn’t see was the pain, the exhaustion, the grief of watching life carry on without me.

This is why I talk about kindness so much.

You never truly know what someone is going through behind the mask they show the world.

 And if I’m honest… I would have given anything to have the energy to get up, get dressed, and go to work like everyone else.

The truth behind my passion for Reiki

I’m not telling this story for sympathy — I’m sharing it because it shaped who I am today. It’s the reason I do what I do with so much heart.

 I was incredibly lucky to have my sister-in-law, a Reiki Master, encouraging me. She held space for me when I felt I had nothing left. She sent healing when I couldn’t do it myself.

She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.

 My mental health was at an all-time low.
I was heavily medicated.
I was grieving the “old me.”

And every day, I would wake up and desperately search the internet for a magic fix — something, anything — to help me cope.

 That’s why I feel so passionately about supporting people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, chronic health conditions, or emotional overwhelm. Because I’ve been there. Truly been there.

 I know what it’s like to look “fine” but feel completely broken inside.

I know what it’s like to not recognise yourself.
And I know what it’s like to lose hope — and slowly, gently, find it again.

 Reiki helped me rebuild myself from the inside out.

Not instantly. Not magically.
But softly… quietly… consistently.

It allowed my nervous system to reset.
It gave my body permission to rest.
It helped me sleep.
It gave me back moments of peace I thought I’d lost forever.

And that’s why I care so deeply.
That’s why I show up.
That’s why I say:

 If you’re struggling right now — I see you. I understand you.
And you are not alone.

 Gratitude, healing, connection — and the glimmers that guide us

So today, as many around the world celebrate gratitude, I’m celebrating too — in my own quiet way.

 Gratitude for the glimmers.
Gratitude for the journey.
Gratitude for the people who supported me.
Gratitude for the ones who understand.
Gratitude for the strength I didn’t know I had.
Gratitude for Reiki — and the way it changed my life.

And gratitude for you — for being part of this community, for allowing me to share my truth, and for trusting me with yours.

 Wherever you are in your healing journey, look for the glimmers today.

They’re small, but they’re real.

And they remind you that hope is still there — even when life feels heavy.

 You deserve healing.
You deserve connection.
And you deserve every glimmer of light coming your way.

 Love & Light,

 Donna Marie x