This is a short post, primarily focusing on the observation part of the 4 key principles of connecting back to nature:
- silence/stillness
- observation
- reflection
- action
You have probably heard the following idioms, “Spring is in the air” and “Stop and smell the roses.” Right now, as spring is full bloom and slowly giving way to summer, the air is filled with scents. It is the best time to train our sense of smell and reconnect back to nature. In this case, let’s train our noses to recognise the different flowers and plants.
Last weekend, I was walking past a grove of hawthorn and was literally stopped in my tracks by an earthy yet sweet aroma. Looking around, it was the hawthorn flowers emitting the fragrance into the air. I know some people find hawthorn scent to be unpleasant but I really loved it. Yesterday, I found myself stopping to smell the sweet scent given out by the elder flowers, quite delicate. And earlier in the month, I enjoyed sitting and taking in the subtle smell of the strawberry flowers. And walking in the hills, the gorse and broom flowers smell like coconut. Also the scent of wild garlic is quite heady.
But it isn’t just flowers that give out scents. I have some tomato plants that just sprung up in one of my pots. I’m not sure how they got there. Anyway, tomato plants are so tactile that I love rubbing their stems and leaves. Something about rubbing them releases the fresh tangy scent that I have learned to associate with tomatoes. Then there is the lemon balm which reminds me of the smell of lemon grass back home. I always greet my rosemary bush by smelling the leaves. And rub against the lemon thyme to release its fragrance.
So, let’s take the time this spring and summer to stop and smell the fragrances permeating the air. Allow ourselves to be still for even a minute in this busy world. Enjoy what the plants and trees offer us for free. I will not be posting any further this June due to other priorities. I hope to resume in July.
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