Many of the spring blossoms here are past their peak.
But still flowering in places.
I’ve been savoring the sights and . . .
The source of the petals
World of Smells
"Stop and smell the flowers" is such a cliché.
But when I actually do it, I feel better.
Lilacs are a favorite of mine. And there are really only a few days left to enjoy their authentic aromas. Lilac-scented products or oils just aren’t the same.
It’s been a joy to pause and sniff the purple blossoms on my daily walks with my dog. When he gets impatient to move on, I remind him we stop to let him sniff plenty of times.
The flowers’ short blooming season is part of what makes them smell so rich to me.
Cherry blossom petals and cut grass on water, May 2026
Smell Peace?
All the same, when blooming season ends, I will use aromatic oils in my day-to-day because . . .
Smells can help us find peace.
When your mind is too busy, taking a pause to deeply smell something - preferably pleasant - can help you get back in your body.
(If you choose to smell something unpleasant, please let me know how that goes.)
Stopping to smell an essential oil, flower, patch of earth, leaf, fruit, vegetable from the fridge, etc and really taking in the details - that helps shift your attention from overthinking to pure sensing.
Aka you go from stress to awareness.
It’s easier to find a sense of inner calm when you’re aware vs stressed.
So that’s your Reflection Qs and homework for this week:
Take some pauses to sniff deeply and see how that affects you. See what your nose knows!
Savor the sights and smells of the season you are in.
And feel free to send me any stories or comments about this email or the homework assignment.
This email was sent from Missoula, Montana so . . .
Thank you to the First Nations of what is now called Western Montana: the Bitterroot Séliš (Salish), the Ql̓ispé (Kalispel), and the Ksanka (Kootenai) - you can read more about all 3 nations on their website.
I also want to give thanks to the Amskapi Piikani (Blackfeet) and the Apsáalooke (Crow) First Nations because I’ve been to and enjoyed their traditional homelands in recent years. Many thanks for your hospitality.
