Follow Your Nose
How scent unlocks memory, meaning, and magic
"Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived.”
—Helen Keller
One of the biggest pathways to my heart is through my nostrils. Literally. I have a highly developed sense of smell.
It comes in handy, too. As a professional space clearer, I can sniff out energetic disturbances in a home a mile away. While not always pleasant, it can be a useful tool for identifying invisible stress and clutter in a place.
Still, for all the unpleasant side effects that my schnoz can bring with it, there is a big upside as well. The ability to imbibe some of nature’s most sublime aromas is one of the best things on earth if you ask me. Plus, following my nose has led me to be able to follow my “knows” over the years, and has never led me astray.
If we were to repeat the exercise from last week’s post, but instead of objects choose our favorite aromas, here’s what my “five scents list” might look like (in no particular order):
Clothes that have been hung outside to dry. Who doesn’t love the fresh smell of clothes that have danced with the breezes and been kissed by the sun?
Fresh-baked bread. Right. Out. Of. The. Oven.
Lavender essential oil. In a hot bath, or on a pillow, it does wonders to soothe the soul.
Garlic sizzling in olive oil. Works every time to get me out of my chair and hang my nose over our cast-iron skillet.
“Double Delight,” a red-and-yellow rose. This hybrid tea rose has won awards for its fragrance. No wonder I love it.
Now it’s your turn. What smells get your attention? What aromas make you go weak in the knees or swoon with delight? What would it take for you to cultivate more of them in your life?1
If you want to know why smell is more important than you think, keep reading.
Ahhh 🌺
Tune in with us to tune up — A journey in sensing
What you just read is from “Inhale,” Chapter 24 of my book A Year for You.
It is just a small taste of this ongoing 10-week series
where you get to tap the power of your six senses — sight, taste, touch, smell, hearing, and inner knowing to
practice beginner’s mind
release what is holding you back
remember what is calling you forward
It’s not too late to join us!
The additional commentary and video below (not included in the book) — with full access to all content we’ve covered so far on this Journey to a Lighter You — is being made available to paid subscribers.
All for less than $1.15 a week.
What does your nose know?
This week you have the opportunity to grow your sense of smell — be it the physical kind…
or the emotional kind…
