Smelling Gratitude
Giving thanks for our senses (and you!).
Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving here in the U.S., which is a time to be with family, to reflect, and most importantly to give thanks. So, I wanted to take this opportunity to say how very thankful I am for your support of my work, especially the thoughts I share here in my Substack.
I’m grateful that you allow me into your inbox every week, and how, in return, you send me personal messages or share a comment. I treasure that connection more than you know.
I’m also incredibly grateful for my sense of smell. In a world where most people take this beautiful sense for granted, I recognize not everyone has access to it, or they may be losing access over time. It’s a privilege to be able to smell and I try to use my nose daily, in a purposeful way.
Maybe you feel the same way?
As we move into the holiday season, I invite you to purposefully use your sense of smell to connect more deeply with the world around you. Here are a few things I like to do:
When my family gets together and enjoys a holiday meal, invariably we start talking about the food: the smells that fill the air during preparation and the flavors that explode in our mouth with each bite. It’s a feeling of comfort and safety because the foods are familiar, passed down through the generations.
Bring in gratitude and try this: Ask everyone at the table to share a favorite scent memory. You’ll be surprised at some of the stories that come up; memories triggered by what foods you're eating.
Pay special attention to stories from grandparents, who often reveal experiences never heard before. Treasure the memories shared and the connections made to foods you have regular access to. In fact, it’s great to revisit the stories simply by making the meal again.
After the meal we like to go out for a walk around the neighborhood. And because it’s me 😊, I turn it into a scent walk, encouraging everyone to focus their nose on the smells coming from the houses we pass. You learn who’s doing laundry, who has the fireplace on, and what meals are on their table, without needing to go inside.
Bring in gratitude and try this: As you walk along the street, focus on the plants. Maybe it’s the smell of pine or eucalyptus trees swaying in the wind, or the aroma of a rosemary bush that you’ve brushed up against. Smell purposefully and take a moment to be thankful for the chance to connect with Nature. Show appreciation for the amount of work it took Mother Nature to create the plant. Feel awe for the plants ability to communicate with us through scent.
The next month will be hectic for sure, so taking the time to smell can give you those moments of respite and keep you in the present moment.
Let me know how it goes. I always love to hear.
This week on my podcast An Aromatic Life:
This week's whiff of wisdom is with Anthea Bull, who lives with anosmia, and Anne Heloise Dautel, who lives with parosmia. As the holidays are here, in this whiff they share some great tips for getting through this festive period if you, or someone in your life, lives with one of these smell dysfunctions.
In fact, they share how those of us who are able to smell can be an ally during this challenging time of year. To listen to the original full conversation go to episode #71.
You can hear this episode and many more on Apple podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Looking for a holiday gift for the young child in your life?
No Place for Plants is a vibrantly illustrated children's picture book that tells the story of a modern day 8-year-old Native American girl from Los Angeles, California named Pukuu’ who is on a mission to save her community garden.
Every Sunday, Pukuu', her wise grandmother Ashuuk, and their pet desert tortoise Paa'ar walk to their community garden to spend time with their friends, including the plants, animals, and insects. But one Sunday, as they are walking to the garden, smelling the plants along the way, they arrive there to find some no-good, absolutely terrible news that could change everything.
Pukuu’, with the guidance of Ashuuk and Paa'ar, embark on an unforgettable journey that reminds us of the importance of community and our connection to Nature.
The hardcover, paperback, and e-book are available for purchase globally on Amazon, Walmart, and Barnes & Noble.
I love this ❤️ You've got me thinking about how grateful I am for my sense of smell as well, especially as my other senses deteriorate over time and through illness. We who can still smell have a lot to be thankful for ❤️ thank you for sharing these thoughts.