sniff sniff..what's that I smell?

A few evenings ago, while falling asleep, I had a strange thing happen.  I suddenly had a memory, a faint one, of a smell from my past. I can't really describe it here, but that's not really the point.  The smell triggered in me not only a memory of a certain age range (teenage), but also a certain set of emotions.  I'd never really remembered a smell before, typically it's the opposite. At least it is for me. The human brain is known for sensing a smell specific from our past and it marvelously recalls an event, place, and/or feelings that go along with it.  Apparently even corporate marketing has taken to using smells to encourage sales.

I think it's a really powerful thing to imagine a smell can encourage a set of memories, but fascinating to think about the impact of triggering emotions.


What if you could somehow modify or encourage your emotions through a smell (aroma) therapy, of sorts?
 I suppose this is what all the aromatherapy experts out there are claiming to do.

Taken a different direction, as with my recent experience, could we potentially train our brains to recall a specific smell that makes us happy...or whatever emotion we're looking for at the time.  This could be applied not only to behavioral therapy but also the obvious marketing, and perhaps even theatrics training.  Maybe I'm nuts to think about this, but I think there's something valuable to be had in taking advantage of smells you know will make you your best self. What types of smells boost you to be your best? Food for thought found here from a local smell and flower essence expert I know.

Missed another day...oh well!

Yesterday I didn't get around to patching in here and jotting down a post.
Oh well.

You know, I really put unnecessary pressures on myself sometimes. I appreciate that my intention to write consistently for a 21 day period has kept me more in tune with my writing. I don't think I will be doing it daily, however. Daily writing is a goal, but it's a goal that is totally fine if it causes me to write at least 3 days a week.



Since this post is really about my lack of posting yesterday, I expect to have another more substantive post later today.

Learning Silence

Lately I've been acknowledging and thinking upon how I'm not always graceful in the face of criticism. It harkens me back to days as a child when other kids, or my same-aged cousin would unfairly tease me or lie about me.  I can see how it can make others crazy when anything you say to them that is remotely negative is fired back with a defense mechanism.  However, I always seem to get hooked when I feel unjustly treated.

How do I go about identifying what's a warranted response versus a time when I just need to suck up that I was wrong or my reasoning simply doesn't need to be heard?  I'm not sure about this yet.  I'm sure I'll laugh about this question one day, but right now I don't know the answer. I think it confuses me because of lack of practice anything but my age-old defense process. Inside of not knowing anything else, I'm committing myself to practicing silence in the face of criticism (or perceived criticism, in cases where none exists).  The silence will allow me space to collect reality, move through uncomfortable emotions, and respond appropriately instead of reacting.  In many cases, I think I will realize that just because it makes me uncomfortable to be wrong -- or misunderstood, doesn't mean it deserves the boxing gloves.  I'm trusting that the silence can give me this wisdom I seek.

Three Days and...done!

I realized my 21 day writing assignment is flawed. For one, currently with a busy weekend schedule, I literally have almost no coherent time to do personal, meaningful writing. Second, creating a habit doesn't mean you do the same thing every single day. It means you set a pattern and stick with it.  Therefore in correction to my desire to create a steady, fulfilling writing regimen, I'm going to take off the pressure on the weekends and only commit to writing Monday through Friday. 

This I know I can do.

Escape From Escaping

Last week I heard an inspirational interview with Buddhist nun Pema Chodron done by Oprah Winfrey on her Soul Series XM radio show. The discussion is also transcribed in an here on the Oprah website. I'm touched by how simple life can be if we can agree to put ourselves into a realm of acceptance rather than resisting anything negative that comes up.  Her advice to simply notice when you're "hooked" (aka: getting taken into upset about something), and then pause, take a few mindful breaths can make a difference in how we are able to move forward - with power -- instead of defeat/stress. I'm not going to be able to paraphrase all the great words of Pema here, but wanted to take my "entry a day" self-assignment opportunity to share and appreciate her teachings.