“Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.” ~ Gerard De Nerval
Welcome to day 3!
Our intention for the day is to follow our noses. Or at least pay attention to the gift of smell.
The practical purpose of our proboscis’, (that is our noses), is one of the most overlooked, (pardon the pun), powers we have been bestowed with.
While animals have a much greater ability to use their noses for tracking and differentiating between vast numbers of varying smells, the human sense of smell is still quite acute. In fact, we can recognize thousands of different smells. This is because we have around five or six million odor-detecting cells high up in our nasal passages. On the other hand, rabbits have about a hundred million of these, while dogs have more than twice that number.
Good luck in a smelling contest with the creatures of the wild world!
Still, studies have shown that given the intention and opportunity, we can get pretty good at using our noses to track. In fact, we’ve been given two nostrils so that we can smell in “stereo”.
When we are paying attention, and are being particularly sensitive to smells, fragrances, odors and aromas, this stereo effect can help guide us in “scent direction”. This has been proven in blindfold tests with humans. And this is one reason animals can track so well just using their sense of smell.
Just watch your dog on the trail next time you’re outside with them. They get the odors way up in their nostrils by executing short powerful sniffs, and then blowing out and doing it all over again, following where the scent is strongest.
For the most part, in this century, our very safety and well-being may not seem very dependent on the gift of smell, but it certainly can enhance and affect our enjoyment of an outdoor or dining experience, and even our moods.
Another interesting fact about the sense of smell is that it is directly linked in our brains to memories and emotions. This is one reason that essential oils and aroma therapy work so well in healing and mood enhancement.
We could go on about how our noses are the main organ of taste as well as smell. But we’ll save that for Day 5.
When it comes to smells, Nature has some real winners out there, including fresh-mowed hay or grass, gardenias, lavender, clover and alfalfa, oranges, lemons, coffee, cinnamon, peppermint, pineapples, pine cones, chimney smoke and fire. The mere act of mentioning these treasures almost brings them to life, awakening your nose until you swear you could smell them right now.
There’s an endless array of aromas to be enjoyed. These deliver some of the best memories and experiences in life because they make us feel so alert and alive! I love nothing more than the smell of the road, forest and earth after a good rainfall, or the scent of a pinewood campfire, with some s’mores and applewood bacon and coffee thrown in. See what I mean?
So, as you step out your door today, lift your head and take in a couple really powerful short sniffs as you observe your world with your nose. What do you smell? Try to define in your mind what scents are on the wind and in the air today.
If you have a cold or are struggling with allergies, just give it your best shot, and maybe even imagine what you would expect to smell on a day like this in your area this time of year.
For a more up-close and personal experience if possible, find a leaf or flower, tree-trunk, bark or even some grass to press your nose against and take a good whiff. Try to describe with words what you smell.
Here are a few description words for smells that you can choose from –
acrid, clean, crisp, dirty, earthy, fishy, fresh, floral, flowery, loamy, moist, musty, pungent, putrid, rancid, rotten, sharp, sour, spicy, spoiled, stale, sweaty, sweet, tart, and wispy…
There are so many more descriptive words you could use but this should help get you started.
Perhaps the best news about the sense of smell is that it can be strengthened through training. Keep that in mind as you go about identifying and enjoying the fragrances, scents and odors in the great outdoors all around you.
Let’s practice a bit today.
After you a have tried smelling the general air around you, find something like a leaf, an acorn, a pine cone, a twig, a budding flower, grass or anything natural and put it up to your nose?
What does it smell like? Can you even detect the faintest odor? Choose from the list of descriptive words we just went over and try to at least give it a name.
Now reach down and pick up a handful of dirt or soil if possible and give it a good sniff. Careful not to get too much in your nostrils!
Did you know research has shown that exposure to dirt can actually strengthen your immune system and even help us fight allergies and asthma? It is also said to be good for our skin. Who knew? I have a friend who used to say, “God made dirt so dirt don’t hurt!” Turns out she may have been on to something.
So… go ahead, take a good whiff and try to describe the smell. Is it very different than the air all around you? Or is there a faint hint of it in the wind?
Now you know why our pooches love going for a walk. There are so many new and exciting things to smell in Nature!
So get outside and smell your world today. It could be a very eye-opening experience for your nose!
Here is your Checklist for Day 3
☐ MEDITATION: Day 3 – “Learning to Be Mindful of Scents and Aromas”
☐ NATURE WALK: 20 minutes with your nose in the air
☐ JOURNAL: List three outdoor scents, aromas or odors that you observed today. How did they make you feel? Were you surprised by anything you experienced today? What are you most grateful for about them?
That about wraps it up for today. Thanks again for being here! See you again tomorrow!
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