Using gratitude to gain insight into self

12 months ago, I committed to a 10 + 3 practice. On waking, I do 10 breaths, in addition to thinking of three things that I am grateful for. Recently, I started jotting these three things down, thinking that they might be handy to reflect on when in need of a 'gratitude hit.'

This morning at 12.30am, I was lying awake thinking of those things. There were the obvious things like family, friends, my work, my life, my interests and training. The non-negotiables that provide me with a solid foundation. Each of them simple things, that have either kept me balanced after a tough day or have delivered small sparks of joy.

Some things that popped up were a little quirky.

• The bottled water that we bought at the general store in Coles Bay after being told we could drink the brown water from the tap in our unit. The brown water that they assured us was ‘safe as it had been triple filtered’ even though it was the same colour as the water in the toilet!
• The late afternoon that I was driving back from Brisbane, with the sun beaming on my windscreen and it was so dirty that I could barely see through it. The next day, learning that these amazing things called Armor All glass wipes exist, and after just one use, you can have a streak free, crystal-clear windscreen!
• The Gorilla Cart that I found in Bunnings for my 14 year old dogs after they were both diagnosed with heart conditions, allowing them to still ‘walk’ to the beach and enjoy a swim on the weekend.

And some things were a little more personal.

The gratitude that I feel during times of solitude. Kerri Sackville writes in her book The Secret Life of You: ‘There is only one absolute guarantee in your life and that is your continued presence in it.’

Over the years I have travelled on my own, throughout the US and also to Bali. The reality was that I was alone, yet I was never lonely. Instead, the experience of independent travel almost gave me permission to see things differently. Experience things differently, in a way that enabled me to be fully immersed without being distracted by the needs of others. Learning about myself, the limits I put on myself and the things that I realised were possible when others weren’t around to rely on. Those experiences continue to remind me how important it is to find time to reconnect with myself, be alone with my thoughts. Find genuine contentment within myself, enabling me to recharge and renergise in a way that impacts on the way that I turn up, and results in benefits to myself and others.

The gratitude that I feel for finally learning the difference between letting things go, and letting things be. This was a game changer for me in the last 12 months. Recognising that letting things go, implies that there is still work that needs to be done. In comparison, letting things be invites a sense of peace. Nothing to do, nothing to control, nothing to try to understand or make sense of. An opportunity to just leave things as they are, and just let them be.

And finally, learning about the existence of the giant sequoia. I was in awe when visiting Tasmania earlier this year and standing in front of one that was planted in 1894. It was 39m high when last measured in 2014, with the species amongst the oldest living things on earth, some living to 3500 years old.

I often reflect on this photo and use it as a reminder of my short time on this earth. The small part that I play in the big scheme of things, and the opportunity that I have to contribute to it. And most of all, the importance of making the most of every minute of it.

The 10 + 3 practice is something that I highly recommend to others. Over the last 12 months, it has supported me to shift my mindset, prepare for my day, and most importantly, learn more about myself.

I encourage you to give it a try and let me know how it goes for you.