Honing in on Honeysuckle

Probably the most poignant, piercing, direct way to access deep seeded memory is through experience with scent, the intervening sense that steals in on the moment, taking hold of emotions, reigning them in and juxtaposing them next to unambiguous, though sometimes unnamable, images of experiences from the past, moments in time encased in sentiment. Though we can drag up thoughts of times in the past when we witnessed an epic sunset, or rode on horseback in the warm cooling light of dusk across an open prairie (a personal favourite of mine to dwell on in my best daydream moments), there is something about the effect of olfactory experience that accesses the true way we felt, and thus participated in, that particular moment. Because when we are present, we have an awareness, a feeling, an emotion, connected to that memory, that goes beyond the visual and the conceptual.

The counterintuitive effect of familiar fragrance is that it both brings the individual into the present, exciting the senses and causing one to focus their attention on the simple act of smelling, of enjoying (or abhorring) the aroma, and also sending one into a likely cascade of thoughts, of memories attached to the sensation, thereby pulling them away from the present. It is a double-edged sword, and can both satisfy and frustrate intentions of being as awake as possible in that given moment.

And so it was that I found myself both lost in thought and also astutely aware of the simple scent of honeysuckle on an afternoon walk, the clean sweet fragrance, soothing and refreshing, almost sugary on the tongue, teasing me into tangled thoughts of summer afternoons, short shorts and bike rides, slurpees and salt water taffy, simpler times when adult obligation didn’t distract me from merely meandering through my day. Today’s moment of presence was, in fact, also a moment of remembering, as I think all moments really are, taking me back to another place, connecting this with that, bringing meaning to an otherwise simple, sincere, unintelligible experience. I did my very best to let the thoughts slip by. I took notice of the sound of birds around me, watched the popular pollen dance and swirl in grassy gutters along the path, felt my feet against the soft soles of my shoes, a thin veil against the rough texture of the trail. And with each new focus of attention I felt my thoughts break, if only for a moment, and open up into…

Into what? I don’t know if there are words for that. But that, in essence, is the idea: to get to a moment of ineffability. And though not long enough to hold on to, to hover in, each momentary pause was a little piece of freedom, a little slice of something…other than the everyday.

A few moments today to take note of. And that’s something.

An Introduction

It is a piece of advice I try to give myself regularly, to remind myself of on a daily basis, and to, at the very least, abide by in some precious moments of deliberate intent – be present in this moment. Self-help books, yoga classes, advice columns, all seem to be pointing to this more and more profusely as our society’s agency and compulsions drive us to the point of exhaustion. We are, as a culture, emotionally paralyzed in many ways, unable to slow down, to take in the magic around us, to experience miracles. But there are miracles occurring every day, in every moment, exploding into blissful reality right under our nose, unnoticed and unappreciated, Magic is the condition of existence, and yet our drive to achieve, to distract, to accomplish, to consume, takes us further and further away from the ability to perceive this magic, or to recognize its value in the overall quality and purpose of our lives.

 

It is my intention, through documentation, to commit to refocusing on this enchantment, to reacquaint myself with the mystery of moments, and to acknowledge the truth that life is not about achievement. Life is about awareness and appreciation, and, unfortunately, this is not always an automatic. Being present requires training and deliberate intent, kindness, patience, and simply paying attention to what is right in front of me. So, without judgment, without too many expectations, and with an open heart, I will document a moment of each day where I am listening, truly paying attention, to what is in front of me.

 

I encourage anyone that reads this to do this same, and contribute his or her own experiences to this forum. We connect through shared experience, through our stories, and connection is such a vital part of the exquisite enigma of life. Remembering that we experience the same feelings, share the same spaces or thoughts, reminds us, too, that we are connected, in every sense of the word. We are in this together, and what a wonderful thing to be reminded of.

 

So the journey begins here, as it always does. And it will be a beautiful one.

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