More on the Power of "Scents"

My summer garden.  Who doesn't love the scent of flowers on a warm lazy summer day?

My children loved to be read to when they were young.  One of their favorite books was Detective Arthur on The Scent.  It was the story of a bloodhound who had received a special gift from his grandmother on his birthday - a detective kit.  Inside was a detective hat, a magnifying glass and a detecting book.  When his birthday cake suddenly disappeared, his mother encouraged him to use his kit to find the robbers.

Rule #1 in his book said to search for any strange objects.  Rule #2 said to smell all objects.  Arthur went on to smell a banana, a bunch of cherries, a lemon, grape jelly, mint ice cream and finally his chocolate birthday cake which he found on a picnic table surrounded by all his friends.  This delightful story not only had a happy ending but was possibly our first introduction to aromatherapy!

I love learning new things.  Alan Hirsch, MD, author of Life's a Smelling Success tells us that the smell of peppermint or banana will reduce food cravings. By placing just a few drops of essential oil of peppermint on a cotton ball and placing it inside a plastic bag, we can smell it and reduce our hunger pangs.  By just smelling a banana we get the same effects and don't even have to peel it!  I'm really curious about this and want to learn more.

Use Common "Scents" to Improve Family Communication

Did you know that scents have powerful effects on our emotions - even to the point of helping to manage our minds and moods?  According to research done by Alan Hirsch, MD, author of Life's a Smelling Success, eating garlic bread at dinnertime helps to promote positive family interactions.  He  found that by eating or just smelling garlic bread, negative dinnertime remarks were reduced by 22% and pleasant remarks increased by over 7%.  I find that to be amazing!

Are you someone who needs to focus?  Then smell fresh flowers!  By smelling fresh flowers, your mental sharpness will increase along with the ability to focus.  This works for adults as well as for kids - especially when doing homework, when studying for a test or when practicing to give a speech.  For alertness and focus, place a vase of fresh flowers on your desk or table and stop often to "smell the roses".

The Privilege of Being Who You Are

American mythologist, Joseph Campbell said, “The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” Yet, how many of us really know ourselves?  How many of us take the time it takes to discover our true selves?  

First, find out what you really want and then follow that even if it means breaking old ways of thinking and behaving.  When I decided to become a full time artist, I was breaking new ground. If I had continued with the status quo of making art part time or when I had time, I might never have experienced who I believe I was meant to be.  Mr. Campbell reminds us that we must be willing to let go of the life we have planned in order to have the life that is waiting for us.

Are there things or people in your life that are no longer serving you or your best interest?  Do you believe that you are too old, too young, that there isn't enough time or money to have, be or do what you really want?  There is a wonderful lession that the Queen in Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass teaches us.  She states, “Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast”.  Everyday I ask my self what I think is impossible and then I believe that it isn't.

 



This is the cover photo for an art suppy catalog - a place I sometimes buy art supplies.  It reminds me that I too can be an empowered artist.  All I have to do is believe.  When I woke up this morning I believed it.  I used to think it was impossible.

 

Jack Canfield, author of the Chicken Soup books, says that we are all born with a purpose and that by living true to that purpose and staying on course, everything will soon begin to fall into place. Invisible hands will reach out and help us every step of the way.

Resolve right now to be truly yourself…to be more of who you really are…to begin experiencing the privilege of just being you and see what happens!