Dimmers and Glimmers

The week before Christmas break in a school can be both stressful and deeply joyful. As a school leader, I look forward to giving to others. I enjoy the holiday shows, holiday parties, Secret Santa gift exchanges, and theme days.

At the same time, I know the holiday season can also be a reminder of tragedy in our lives. It has been twenty years since one of the most devastating events occurred in my wife’s and my life. Each year, I find myself returning to the events of that week—but I’ve learned that replaying the moment again and again can pull me into a sad, discouraging place that, truthfully, I have no obligation to visit.

The event happened, and I’m thankful for the support we received. But it hurt—and it never fully stops hurting. In my experience, trying to turn a sad event into a “lesson learned” or a remarkable victory isn’t always the story. Some events remain dim. And yet, twenty years later, I still have the opportunity to bring glimmers into the world.

I can write Christmas cards for my coworkers, look forward to pajama day at work, and feel the goofy excitement of putting on my Clark Griswold jersey—while also holding space for those who may be living in dim moments right now. There is someone (or multiple someones) in your sphere of influence who may be in a season of grief. Maybe it’s even you.

The holiday season  can hold both joy and grief—and we can choose to notice and create small “glimmers” without denying the “dimmers.”

Question: Where can you intentionally create one small glimmer this week—for yourself or for someone in your orbit who might be carrying a dimmer season?