Pay attention to your surroundings, and this week, I’d like you to notice what fragrances are around your environment. Note them down.
Notice the foul stenches as well as the pleasant aromas. What does your sense of smell tell you? Does it bring back a memory of a loved one? Does it calm you down? Does it make you feel ready to flee to a safer area?
Which ones makes you breathe easier? Which ones stop you from breathing?
Ignatius of Loyola taught that the sense of smell was perhaps the most powerful sense in the spiritual life as it is connected to memory. Take, Lord. Receive.
When you are finished, add your response to the comment section below.
I've been thinking all week long about how sterile and sanitized my environment is. I rarely go outside my air-conditioned, filtered, temperature controlled existence. Even in my car, I just flick a button to let the air recirculate if an unpleasant odor should sneak in. Finally, last night I got a whiff of skunk while driving and asked my husband to really notice it and how fowl it smelled before hitting the recirc. Even my cooking aromas seem muted. In fact, I have to admit that especially since "the covid", my life has been muted. The only people that have the power to rile me up in face to face conversation are my own children, and two of them moved to Texas a few years ago, so the only time we get to really argue is the few times a year we get to visit. (We are a fighting' family - we love our arguments and debates!). Since I retired, I realize that I've lost some of the diversity of thought and culture that I being out in the world every day adds to life. I'll be happy when in a few weeks my volunteer position with Confirmation and Middle School teens at my parish will resume where I'll get plenty of stimulation. I am dedicated to using the breathing and listening techniques that I am learning in our meetings, so that I will be able to respond instead of reacting, and that I will most importantly, remember to focus on the kids' experiences, not mine.
ReplyDeleteMary Pearlman
Debra Moxie 9/14/21
ReplyDeleteFragrances in surroundings
Pleasant aromas
Cleaning products, particularly Dawn and Mr. Clean. I like these fragrances because they remind me of doing work to make me and others feel good and safe.
Apples. It is the best season for this delicious fruit. It reminds me of my father. Happy memories!
Cut grass. I like this smell a lot. It represents freshness and tidiness.
Rain. I like the sound and smell of rain. It makes me calm, maybe because I need to stay still to hear it and to keep dry.
Foul stenches
Gasoline. Represents danger because it can be volatile and would only emit odor if not contained
Fish. I love fish but don’t like to smell it. I believe fresh fish should not have an odor so a fish smell would represent danger.
I breath easier with apples and rain.
I stop breathing with some cleaning solutions, fish, and gasoline.
Sometimes the grass smells make me feel tight and may remind me to work harder on my yard.
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ReplyDeleteFLEE: The new “skunk” as in “weed”
ReplyDeleteFLEE: Sewage after a rain
DAD’S TREATS: Of red licorice while harvesting the sweet licorice of the Mexican tarragon
SNAZZY MOM : Scent of her red lipstick when biting into a warm strawberry
TAKE A DOROTHY NAP: Wildflowers expelling the heavy scent of summer heat
BOTTLE IT: Balmy air reminiscent of early mornings in South Florida
WHAT CAN I COOK/BAKE/SMELL UP THE KITCHEN WITH: Tinctures of rosemary, tarragons, lavender, sorrels, shisho, greek oregano, mustard, garlic...DID I MISS SOMETHING?
And the memory of BUTTERSCOTCH: My niece was a radio operator on one of the fires in Washington this past month. We text back and forth at intervals and I asked her about the smell of the smoke. She said tree species were unique and the smells unique. And I remember her introducing me to the Ponderosa Pine, which beneath the bark smells like butterscotch! I still have a sliver of bark; the smell is gone.
After a difficult phone call, I found myself unable to concentrate or settle down. I walked outside of my home- noticing the blue sky listening to the birds smelling the sea breeze Within a very short time I was relieved of the stress with no work on my part. Remembering the deep breathing, I practiced. Why is it so hard to remember to do these simple things. Breathe and go outside Favorite smells- baking bread
ReplyDeleteSalt sea air. Pine. Unhappy smells our cellar smells like dead mice. Exhast
Palmolive soap! In the 7th grade, a group of girls in my class lead by a Social Service nun, enjoyed an overnight camp in the redwoods. At night to settle us down in our sleeping bags, Sister read us the story of Maria Goretti; I was mesmorized and inspired. The rustic common bathroom had Palmolive bar soap at each sink - and for some reason, over the [66!] years], whenever I smell that fragrance, I'm taken right back to that one night camp and story. (This assignment reminded me - and I ordered 3 bars from Amazon - just saying..)
ReplyDeleteListening takes patience. I have been practicing active listening and noticing more quiet time in the conversations. At times it feel awkward and other times it is relaxing. It also depends on how I am communicating, whether in person or on the phone. This exercise reminds me of a few recent daily readings. These are my brief reflections.
ReplyDeleteJonah 1:1-2:2,11: Jonah is not a great listener and doesn't immediately follow God's direction; He also refuses God's mercy, which makes me wonder about his self-love.
Lk 10:25-37 The Samaritan traveler treats the man with compassion and is a good example of being an observer and doer.
Lk 10:38-42 Mary is also an excellent example of a good listener and doer. She may not act like Martha, but this story teaches me that sitting and listening are very important and meaningful roles.