Smell The Roses!

This article is about these little things in life that bring us their own unmatched level of pure elation. We waste the moments in which our memories are present tense, completely oblivious to how significant they will end up being, or how sweet such a simple instance really can be... We usually can't detect until it's already happened, that a specific moment is going to end up being or containing one of these moments, tastes, scents, sounds. But as time goes on, whatever little thing it may be continues to reappear throughout the progression of life; proving that some memories rather than just being recalled, can also be felt, tasted or smelled. Memories of the senses, and especially those which tend to repeat themselves on occasion- are most definitely a delicacy; the finer things in life.

Why bring this up? Well, considering the mental beating humankind has taken as a whole, on behalf of the overall state of impending chaos in the world over the past couple years- many people are struggling to remember how sweet life really is. With statistics revealing that since early 2020, depression in US adults has increased by at least 32%, alongside the rate of attempted suicides by US children having increased by an astronomical 60%... What better time to encourage a gentle reminder of some of the precious little things that we get to experience simply because we are alive? 

Exactly.

So, join me on a brief mental journey of sensory nostalgia acknowledgement; or in other words- those wonderful little moments mentioned in the first paragraph...

1. That snooze-button "heavenly sheets" feeling:

 when all of a sudden- in the wake of the threat your alarm clock bringing fast approaching daily duties.... Even the most uncomfortable bed can be transformed by your longing mind, into an irresistible heavenly cloud. Your bedding just swaddles your skin, tricking your legs into thinking they are perhaps on some sort of ecstasy-trip (a "leg"stasy-trip, if you will) and with each blare of your alarm clock, the magnetic force to keep your body submerged in the heaven that your normal old bed has become only increases!!! These are the days on which you might have accidentally been just a little bit late to work or school (or wherever)... But damn those extra couple snooze-button indulgences were every bit of WORTH IT!!!

2. That scent that takes you back

Perhaps it is the old familiar scent of a perfume that you used to wear, personally. Perhaps it is the scent that someone close and dear to you used to wear...It could even be the smell of a certain cologne that was worn by a beautiful stranger you met and had one memorable evening with, in the past.... No matter the specifics: the point here, is that now and then on a rare occasion, we are lucky enough to encounter one of these scents from our past (which I like to call "past-tense scents!" because I'm corny)- I have always found memories associated with scent to be extra magical and nostalgic- because no matter where you are or how long ago you last encountered that scent- these beautiful instances grab you by the soul and just take you right back to a place in time you didn't even realize you craved the recollection of. 

To share a recurring example of one of my very favorite past-tense scents: I absolutely LOVE the smell of burning wood- (luckily for me, we heat our workshop with firewood in the winter)- I especially love burning hickory, and the way that after the fire is put out, nearby materials, our clothes and even my hair are all drenched with the exciting, nostalgic scent that takes me right back to my childhood. The first and last weekends of Summer break were always the ones I most anticipated as a little girl- because those were the two weekends out of every year that I'd get to go camping at the lake with my aunt, uncle and cousins. My mom was not outdoorsy at all and she couldn't stand the "campfire smell" that I'd bring home with me when I was dropped off after a weekend of camping. I was so obsessed with it, however, that I would make it a point to cram as many stuffed animals off of my bed into my sleeping bag to accompany me for my weekend adventures at the lake... So when the weekend would end, I could still take in that beautiful hickory-scented campfire memories for weeks to come!

3. "Now I get it!"

When you grow up and revisit that old favorite movie, show, or song that you used to play over and over.... You know, that one that you watched or listened to nearly a million times as a child.... Hell, you were probably sitting there reciting the lines, because you've heard them so many times, that they are just etched into your memory by now! It doesn't matter how familiar you were with one of these clever and sneaky lil tunes or flicks as a child, now how flawlessly you can quote the lines in this instance- because what I'm talking about is what's between* the lines... When it dawns on you as an adult, your jaw is liable to hit the floor- and upon impact, you aren't really sure if you are appalled, intrigued, humored or shocked... So you just go ahead and call it a mixture of all of those emotions.. and in that moment- between rewinding and replaying that specific part over- and scrambling to get a text or two out to the recipients of relevance (most likely with link to the moment that just blew your mind and rendered you of, "OMG, how the hell did I miss this?!!").... there's that tiny part of you that nearly feels violated by the fact that a moment or a line of indecency could have been hidden in something so innocent... 

But look at it this way: production companies are just being thoughtful... They care about you- and they knew you'd grow up and be in the presence of children who never bother to ask what YOU would enjoy to watch on TV....  So, they decide to throw you (the "adult") a bone here and there, in the form of a secret, very strategically disguised, "grown-up" joke. :) That's all...

4. It's Fall, Y'all !

That "Friday Night Lights" feeling that you get way down deep in your soul, a bit of a thrill that is associated with the start of Autumn! You may not even be a big fan of Fall, in itself-for instance perhaps you dread the cold weather it brings and the fact that it warns of only colder-to-come... Perhaps you could care less about football or other fall sports (whatever they may be..).... But be that as it may, one just can't dispute the subtle happiness that is leggings, hoodies, cuddling, hot cocoa, HALLOWEEN!, and dare I say it.... Pumpkin effing Spice... Yeah, Fall is pretty grand. 

5. WHITE OUT!

The sheer excitement you feel when it's begun to snow on a school night.... and you're intently watching the news.... as all the names of the school and church closings scroll past in alphabetical order.... even though you're watching intently, somehow you still manage to miss the two-second period where your schools name would have fallen alphabetically.... So, you keep watching another whole damn round of listings.... then finally, it comes back to the letter your school starts with.... AND OMG THERE IT IS.... SNOW DAYYYYY!!!! Oh, what a feeling.

6. PULL OVER!... JK

POV: You're in the driver's seat, cruising down the road.. Maybe doing something that is not in your best interest (aka "frowned upon") ..(aka "illegal")... perhaps you're speeding, or maybe you don't necessarily have a license, or you might even have a little bit of weed on ya.... hell, maybe all three of those things, simultaneously... In any case, you're cruising down the road (you, rebel, you)... and all of a sudden, you hear sirens quickly approaching, you look in your rearview, and - HOLY SHIT- there is a cop car coming up on you at an alarming rate of speed.... I mean, you don't even have enough time to ditch the joint, he's already just there before you can even think twice about any preventative measures you wish you had taken.... So, you're praying to God, midst a full-blown anxiety attack, wondering if you'd get away if you just gunned it... But you're no criminal, so you go ahead and put your blinker on and pull to the side of the road, prepared to accept the consequences of the law..... All for the cop to continue on, speeding past you, and off into the abyss!!! He was after someone else, further ahead in traffic.... What a damn RELIEF !!!!! 

7. Low Key Good Deeds

So, I think we all know that doing good deeds comes with a rewarding feeling.... But what we don't all know is that it feels EVEN BETTER to do good deeds, silently.... What I mean by "silently" is: doing a good deed, and then NOT posting about it on social media; NOT turning the act into a story to share with others... The thing is- and I am sure the majority of people don't even realize this- but when you feel the need to broadcast your "act of selflessness", you actually syphon the "selfless" right out of it... Because by posting it on your social media or sharing it as a story- you've actually taken it away from whomever you originally "did it for," and proven instead that you did it for YOURSELF; for your image; for YOU. ... It doesn't matter how grand the gesture... Even if you paid for a single mother's $300 grocery bill- the moment you go home and tweet about the experience, suddenly the psychology of the entire situation changes- no longer was the act something YOU did for the single mother at the store.... Instead, you did it for YOU, because by posting it you are using the experience as credit to your personal character, it is just a deposit into the bank of your appearance. 

SO, check this out.... The next time you do a good deed... Don't share it, don't post it...Keep it wholesome, by choosing to keep it between just the person whom you did it for, yourself, and GOD! See how much more rewarding it feels!!! (Trust me, it feels even BETTER!!!)

8. Play with my hair

I don't know why this is.... And I hope I'm not the only one... As I type this, I actually am feeling kind of like some sort of weirdo...BUT surely I'm not alone in this-there's no way!!! Okay, so, don't we all just LOVE that tingly feeling we get in our tummies and on our skin when someone is playing with our hair?! Braiding, brushing, or even better: FINGER BRUSHING !!! When another human's hands are gently playing with our hair- I can't even explain it- it's just a freaking MAGICAL feeling.. "Lulling," if you will.... Am I right ?!?!

9. The final hour....

I am sure very few would argue with this one.... Friday afternoon, and whether it be work or school- you're in that last hour before your weekend begins!!! It can't go by quickly enough!!! And to be clear, the only few who could argue are those who work weekends!!! BOOOOO!!!!

10. I DID IT!!

In my opinion, one of the very best ways to self-satisfy is to generate (and complete) a personal accomplishment. Now, it needs to be something obtainable- but meanwhile not a small, simple task.... I'm talking: "a full-on accomplishment," one that you will be proud of. Heck, maybe it'll even make your loved ones proud- but most importantly, let it make YOU proud of yourself. 

I've got a PERFECT example- and seeing it to completion generated, seriously, one of the very best feelings I've felt in a very long time!!!

My recent example: I set out to make a coloring book, have it published , and make it available to the public... and I did just that!!! In fact, I 'concept'ed it, drew it up, scanned it all into my computer, created a digital version of it, self-published (which was the hardest part, and took a few tries before I was accepted), AND finally, made it available to the public- ALL IN LESS THAN A MONTH!!! Seriously, it's available on Amazon!! In fact, by now I have five different coloring books available on Amazon- but my point is- After getting that first one launched, I found this unmatched feeling of just pure respect for myself and when my mother told me she was proud of me, I literally felt high for days- so much so that I have just not stopped publishing coloring books since lol.... Seriously, it's an amazing feeling.

(in case you're wondering, here's my very first coloring book! It's super cute- it features a whole bunch of adorable kittens getting into all kinds of trouble :) check it out - [Especially if you're a "cat-person"] by clicking right here to find my listing on Amazon)

In conclusion.... Life is good, people.... Please, please make it a point to remind yourself and those around you of this fact.... Life is not only good, but it is also so very precious and delicate.... Be gentle with yourselves- and check on your children. 

We're gonna make it through these trying times, my fellow humans. We got this!!!