A Journey Through Gratitude

They say it takes a near-death experience to make you realise how precious life is. Even if you do realise this already, it is a massive wake up call seeing how quickly life can change when events meet you head-on (sometimes literally).
On Saturday I had my first near-death experience in the hands of another driver. Although the sight, sound and smell of the crash will forever be ingrained in my memory, I am so incredibly grateful that those involved were all able to walk away with only minor injuries.
It was in that moment, seeing a car cornering quickly onto the wrong side of the road to hit us head on, that I realised we can never be completely safe or in control of our own destiny despite how hard we may try ourselves. We can however build our resilience in times of trouble, learn to live in the moment and cherish every single day, as it could be our last.

Following a difficult period of my life two years ago I started practicing gratitude as a way of building resilience and challenging negative thought pathways. It is easy to get stuck in the mud in times of challenge, especially when all that could possibly go wrong seems to all at once. As part of my well being journey I challenged myself to a full year of thankfulness. I physically wrote down everything I was thankful for, for a whole year and kept those notes of gratitude in jar until the end of the year when I stuck them into my happiness journal (which I had started as part of the ‘Butterfly Project’ at high school).

Downfalls of modern-day technology

At the start of my year of thankfulness I found it hard to pinpoint the feeling and association of gratitude. I had for so long let life’s precious moments go unnoticed and underappreciated. But once I did start to identify moments of gratitude, I realised more than ever the social disconnect caused by modern technology. I was constantly attached to a device, connecting to people and experiences online instead of connecting to real experiences and social interactions. Constantly thinking about social media and notifications, all the while real life whizzed by outside of my view. When I started to actively engage in my surroundings whilst discovering gratitude, I noticed a whole lot of good in the world which I was completely missing out on previously. 

This jar of thankfulness opened my heart, mind and eyes to life’s precious moments and made me more aware of the things that mattered the most to me in my life (cough* not technology). My thankfulness jar was also a brilliant way to capture my memories, experiences and year long journey.

Thankfulness jar highlights:

• It’s not just in the movies that people pay for other people on buses, at grocery stores and in restaurants

• People do actually get up off their seats on busses for the elderly, the disabled or pregnant

• The sun makes the dew drops on the leaves come alive

• Newly mown grass does smell absolutely divine

• Walking through a city in the pouring rain is actually quite beautiful especially as it gets darker and the city lights reflect in the puddles on the road

• I have so many incredible people in my life that I truly value and could talk to about anything

• The generosity, support and care I have experienced is absolutely incredible

• Spending quality time with people is priceless

• Mentoring/coaching kids, helping them see their own potential, try their best and develop skills means the world to me

• Smiles and laughter are contagious

• Cuddles are the best thing in the world

• Art, singing, music and exercise are really important to me

• The small things in life are so precious

Since completing this gratitude challenge, I have noticed that I have a much deeper understanding of what my heart craves, how I operate and interact with life’s experiences, as well as how gratitude can completely change one’s perception of life. I am so much happier both alone and whilst interacting with others, I practice and notice reciprocal thankfulness more often, I am more resilient when life throws curve balls, I am more aware of life’s precious gifts and I take more time to do what I love.

My take home messages

• Life is absolutely precious and awe-inspiring, and it shouldn't take a near-death experience to make you live more awesome, live in the moment and live whole-heartedly. 

• Through practicing gratitude you not only build your resilience, but you enjoy life's precious moments a whole lot more and open your heart up to the emotions associated with those things (it makes you feel much more connected and appreciative). 

• Do more of what makes your heart tick, learn when to put your devices down to be in the moment and be thankful for the gift of existence on this planet.