Practices in Smelling: Being Present

Enjoying the here and now.

This month we continue with the series, “Practices in Smelling,” which aims to inspire and animate you to engage with your sense of smell more.

This week I’m reflecting on being more present because, well, I spend a lot of time in my head, either ruminating on things that have already happened, or anxiously worrying about events that may or may not ever take place. Maybe you can relate. 

As the Dalai Lama so eloquently said, “There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, Believe, Do and mostly Live.”

It’s so true that when we focus on being in the here and now, we’re actually living. After all, that’s what we humans are meant to do, right? We’re here to experience the world, not just think about it. 

The great news is that smelling is a perfect way to be in the moment, to live.

I learned a great trick the other day that humming is a good way to get out of your head and into the moment. Try it now… hum a little tune. Did you notice that while you were humming you couldn’t think about anything? Nothing at all. Genius, isn’t it? 

Well, today I want to share a smelling exercise that I often do, which can give you that same focus as humming, only you’re using your nose. It takes 5 minutes to complete and can be done anywhere.

Here’s how it goes…