From Triggers to Glimmers: Reframing Emotional Cues for Health and Recovery

 

Dear Reader,   

Yesterday I experienced an extensive range of emotions all triggered by starting a new service commitment.  Throughout much of my life I refrained from doing new things out of fear of failure or being laughed at or ridiculed.  

As a child, I would be full of tears as my mother dropped me off at summer camp.  Psychologically there may be many reasons for the fear; my point here is the "trigger" of doing something new with little previous training or exposure to the task at hand.    

In such moments, there always seemed no glimmer of hope that summer camp would be happy, joyous and rewarding. Over the years by stepping into new situations and learning new skills to cope with my fears, I have been able to reap the benefits of new jobs, new experiences, and new levels of happiness.  Yet the anticipation of something new continues to trigger the 'catastrophical tape'.  

It is precisely in such situations that I begin to look for glimmers.  Glimmers such as recalling all the times that I have gotten out of my comfort zone and found great fun and joy in a trip or an event.  Learning something new can carry the excitement of self-growth and discovery.  The overall result is to build "confidence in confidence and confidence in me!" as the song rhymes.  

While triggers can activate stress responses and hinder recovery, cultivating glimmers can support nervous system regulation, emotional healing, and long-term well-being. In recovery, we often learn to identify our triggers—the people, places, and memories that stir pain, anxiety, or the urge to escape. Triggers pull us into survival mode. They hijack the nervous system, shrink our sense of safety, and make healing feel just out of reach.  

But what if we gave just as much attention to their opposite?  

Glimmers are those small, almost fleeting moments that help the body feel safe again. The term comes from the work of Deb Dana, building on Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, which explains how our nervous system responds to danger—and to safety.  

Where triggers activate our sympathetic system (fight or flight), glimmers awaken the ventral vagal state, the part of the nervous system that lets us rest, connect, and feel at ease in the world. It’s where we can breathe deeply. Speak calmly. Laugh. Pray. Trust. Love.  

Glimmers might look like this:  The warmth of the sun on your face.  A favorite piece of music.  The quiet presence of a friend.  A meaningful prayer or a verse that stirs your spirit.  The smile of a child.  The feeling of being heard.  

These moments are small, but they’re not insignificant. In fact, they are micro-moments of healing—invitations for the nervous system to remember what it feels like to be safe, to be at home in the body and the world. In recovery, we're taught to take things one day at a time. Glimmers invite us to take things one moment at a time—to notice the good, the safe, the sacred as it quietly enters our day. While trauma addiction may have trained our bodies to stay on high alert, glimmers gently retrain us to trust. They don't erase the past, but they offer us glimpses of the future: a future where we can live from a place of peace, rather than protection.  

Scripture teaches us, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Stillness—true stillness—can only come when we feel safe enough to let our guard down. Glimmers are the gentle moments that lead us there.  

So, today, look for the glimmers. Don’t just avoid the triggers. Let healing find you in the light, in the laughter, in the breath you didn’t realize you were holding.  

Because recovery is not just about avoiding danger. It’s about learning to live again.  

  

What Is Greatness?

 

Dear Reader,

Today I’ve found myself pondering the idea of greatness. In modern times, we often associate greatness with high achievement, widespread recognition, or celebrity status. Social media counts, public honors, and prizes like the Nobel may symbolize success. These forms of distinction do carry weight—after all, people in positions of influence can shape the lives of many.

Yet as Stewart Udall wisely cautioned:

“We have, I fear, confused power with greatness.”

Real greatness, I believe, starts not with external power, but with inner posture—especially a posture of gratitude. I find deep truth in the words of James E. Faust:

“A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being.”

Greatness, then, is not reserved for the famous. It lives in anyone who chooses to live with purpose, humility, and courage.

As Joseph B. Wirthlin observed:

“Desire, burning desire, is basic to achieving anything beyond the ordinary.”

Sometimes all it takes is a single act of will—a quiet choice—to create momentum. Like a small stone rolling down a hill, that decision can trigger powerful change.

Each of us is invited into our own form of greatness. As Shakespeare wrote in Twelfth Night:

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

But greatness is not something we wait for. It’s something we choose, now. The author James Baldwin reminds us:

“There is never time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment; the time is always now.”

Greatness isn’t measured by applause. It’s revealed in our relationship with God, with truth, and with the law written on our hearts.

As the psalmist writes:

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” – Psalm 119:165

And again:

“How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension. The Lord supports the humble and brings the wicked down into the dust.” – Psalm 147:5–6

True greatness lies in recognizing our place in God's majestic creation. When we understand who we are in His kingdom, and act in alignment with His will, greatness ceases to be a status—it becomes a way of being.

With peace and purpose,
Amen

Knowing My Own Motives: A Guide to Truth in Recovery

 

Dear Reader,

Recovery invites us into a life where honesty isn’t just a virtue—it’s a lifeline. In addiction, many of us became experts at self-deception. We wove "tangled webs," as Sir Walter Scott warned, not only to deceive others, but to avoid facing our own pain, fear, and contradictions. Step by step, we learned that truth isn’t just something we seek—it’s something we must live.

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” – Buddha

The truth about ourselves comes out—sometimes slowly, sometimes all at once. In recovery, it becomes crucial to ask: What are my real motives? Am I trying to look good, or to do good? Do I want to be right, or to be free?

“Everything will line up perfectly when knowing and living the truth becomes more important than looking good.” – Alan Cohen

As we grow spiritually, we stop using “good intentions” to excuse manipulation or control. Ayn Rand reminds us that the desire to do good “by force” is never noble. Whether rooted in power-lust or blind idealism, false motives damage trust—and often our own peace of mind.

But truth isn’t just about exposing what’s wrong. It’s about discovering who we are in the light of grace.

“One must know oneself. If this does not serve to discover truth, it at least serves as a rule of life, and there is nothing better.” – Blaise Pascal

“In the end, you don’t so much find yourself as you find someone who knows who you are.” – Robert Brault

That “someone” may be a sponsor, a Higher Power, or a loving friend who sees beyond our fear. But the real change happens when we stop running and start listening—to truth, to conscience, to God.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” – John 8:32

Recovery isn’t about perfection. It’s about courage. Sometimes, telling the truth will cost us—approval, comfort, reputation—but it brings freedom. The kind promised by Christ, and echoed in the Book of Mormon:

“Blessed are ye when men shall revile you... for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.” – 3 Nephi 12:11–12

To know our motives is to know our hearts. And when we’re honest with ourselves, we become open to God’s transforming power. The truth doesn’t just set us free—it invites us home.

With grace and gratitude,

"Step by Step with the Savior: A Recovery Guide Through Christ’s Words"

 

Dear Reader,

Today I revisited a talk by President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can find the talk here.  President Oak's talk

At first glance, his message felt a bit dry—mostly a list of scriptures spoken by the Savior. No commentary, no storytelling—just words. But as I sat with those words, I began to see a pattern: these weren’t just sayings. They were a guide to life. A path. A recovery roadmap.

Here’s how some of Christ’s teachings, as shared by President Oaks, connect deeply with the principles of recovery:

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Cleansing and Beginning Again

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
In recovery, we begin with a cleansing—letting go of old patterns and seeking a spiritual rebirth.

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Seeking Change

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness...”
Just like Step 1, our desire for change is the beginning. Finding a sponsor, working the Steps—these are ways we seek righteousness and strength.

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Carrying the Message

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
When we share our story and serve others, we become peacemakers—welcomed by a community of those who’ve been there too.

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Living the Principles

• “Thou shalt not commit adultery”
  Our attitudes and values begin to change—this is transformation.

• “Love your enemies… pray for them that curse you”
  Resentments fade. Fear of people and financial insecurity lose their grip.

• “Forgive others, as your Heavenly Father forgives you”
  We start to see how our experience can help others.

• “Seek ye first the kingdom of God”
  Our self-interest shifts—we begin caring deeply for others.

• “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”
  This is Step 12 in action: we become the person we once needed.

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Warnings and Invitations

“By their fruits ye shall know them.”
Recovery sharpens our ability to recognize truth from lies. We let go of self-deception.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Here is serenity—finally knowing peace.

“My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The Promises are real. We are not alone.

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Christ’s Words—Recovery’s Core

Below are scriptures that echo many of the key insights of the Steps. Let them speak to your heart:

• “Forsake the world… for what is a man profited if he gain the world and lose his soul?”

• “Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find.”

• “Other sheep I have… they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

• “He that liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”

• “If ye love me, keep my commandments… and I will manifest myself to him.”

• “Peace I leave with you… Let not your heart be troubled.”

• “Handle me, and see… for a spirit hath not flesh and bones.”

• “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…”

• “I am the light and the life of the world.”

• “Offer unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.”

• “I came to bring redemption.”

• “Be ye therefore perfect.”

• “Pray always in my name.”

• “Repent… be baptized… and be sanctified.”

• “The Comforter… shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance.”

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These words, spoken by the Risen Christ, are not just scripture—they are invitations. For those in recovery, they are a message of hope, power, and direction. We are not beyond healing. We are not forgotten.

The gospel and recovery walk hand in hand. And both begin when we turn our hearts and wills over to the care of God.

With you on the path,
—A fellow traveler in recovery

Thoughts on Sight and Sound

 

Dear Reader,

I came across an article today that speaks directly to recovery, self-awareness, and the danger of slipping into victimhood. The piece—titled Sight and Sound by Rabbi Sarah Bracha Gershuny—offers a reflection rooted in Jewish mysticism, and yet its message is universal and deeply relevant to anyone on a healing journey.

One sentence stood out to me:

“Seeing and hearing are concerned with the filters through which we experience reality, filters so habituated we probably don’t notice them.”

These words ring true. How often do we react not to what is, but to what we perceive—shaped by fears, old wounds, or assumptions? We live in a world saturated with noise: news, opinions, images, alarms. We rush to judgment based on fragments. We confuse feeling with fact.

Rabbi Gershuny connects this phenomenon to the psychological model known as the Drama Triangle, where people cycle through roles of victim, persecutor, and rescuer. We may start with a sense of powerlessness, then lash out or try to fix others, only to end up feeling wronged again. As psychologist Stan Tatkin observed:

“Every perpetrator in the world thinks they’re a victim.”

This distortion of perception—especially in times of crisis, grief, or fear—is dangerous. It can convince us that our actions are justified, even righteous, when they are in fact harmful. As philosopher Epictetus once said:

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”

This is where recovery principles become lifelines. As people in recovery, we are taught to pause, to take daily inventory, to examine our motives. We learn that not every feeling requires a response. We surrender the illusion of control and lean on time-tested truths like “Easy Does It” and “Let Go and Let God.”

The words of Jesus in Matthew 7:3–5 offer timeless clarity:

“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly…”

This passage calls us to humility. Before we name someone else’s failure, we must ask what distortions cloud our own view. Honest self-examination—not shame, not denial—is the beginning of wisdom and the bedrock of healing.

As the philosopher Simone Weil once wrote:

“The intelligent man who is proud of his intelligence is like the condemned man who is proud of his large cell.”

We are not victims, nor are we saviors. We are human beings, invited daily to seek clarity, to shed our distortions, and to meet others—and ourselves—with compassion.

As we move forward into this reflective season of Tamuz and Av, may we have the courage to question our filters. May we learn to see more clearly, listen more deeply, and walk with greater trust in the quiet wisdom of our Higher Power.

Amen.

Turning Point

Dear Reader, 

      Today I noticed an AA message I might have previously overlooked. It was titled simply, “Turning Point.” Curious, I read on—and discovered a message about those pivotal moments in life when we are called to choose: to step into joy or to slip back into darkness, maybe even disappear from the path entirely. 

      I asked myself if I’ve ever faced such a moment. The clearest one was the day I chose to call the Laguna Beach Alano Club. I was met not just with a cup of coffee—but with a glimmer of hope. Hope that I could live alcohol-free. Hope that the broken pieces of my life could be gathered into something whole again. 

      That day, I heard the simple truth: “We are a fellowship of alcoholics with a common purpose—to help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.” Little did I know then that I was being offered more than help—I was being handed a lifeline. A way of life where failures could become stepping stones, and loneliness could be replaced by friendship, purpose, and enduring fellowship through both joy and hardship. 

      The Daily Reflection goes further. It says: “Joy comes to me when my attitude concerning God and humility turns to one of desire rather than of burden.” It continues: “The darkness in my life changes to radiant light when I arrive at the realization that being truthful and honest in dealing with my inventory results in my life being filled with serenity, freedom, and joy.” 

      What a promise! Trusting in a loving Heavenly Father—a Higher Power—helps me see what truly matters. It allows me to embrace solid joys—joys rooted not in fleeting pleasures but in eternal truths and quiet contentment. 

      So I return to the theme: Turning Point. Life will offer us many. But when we reach out and grasp the brass ring with all our might—and choose to endure to the end—we find joy beyond anything we could have imagined. 

  Until then, let us fully experience the ride. 

 

I offer some supporting thoughts: 

“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth—not going all the way, and not starting.” -- Gautama Buddha 

• “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” — T. S. Eliot, Four Quartets 

• 
  “What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning.”— T. S. Eliot 

  
  “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts...”  — 2_Corinthians 4:6 

   

  “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope... and if ye shall press forward... ye shall have eternal life.” — 2 Nephi 31:20 

  
  “Men are that they might have joy.” — 2 Nephi 2:25 

  
  “Enduring to the end is a hallmark of true discipleship and a prelude to eternal life.” — Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

  
  “Each of us has moments in our lives when we have to decide whether to trust in God or to give in to fear.” — President Russell M. Nelson 

   “The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” — President Russell M. Nelson