Olfactoric Elements of Empowerment

Our sense of smell is responsible for the detection of elements by the olfactory system. The olfactory system enables sense of smell in two ways.

You know that smell is an important sense, but did you know it's one of the most robust links to memory and emotion?

The olfactory system (part of the brain’s limbic system) enables the sense of smell in two ways: receptors in the nose and sensory neurons that connect directly to the brain. When an odor molecule binds to a receptor, it sends a signal to your brain, interpreting it as a smell.

These days, I’ve been smelling essential oils in a jar to create a practice that helps me tune in more to the olfactoric elements of empowerment, where a smell triggers one or more of the Five Principles of Me Power.

Smell, interestingly enough, is the only fully developed sense a fetus has in the womb. The olfactory (smell) receptors begin to develop as early as eight weeks gestation and become fully functional at about 24 weeks, meaning babies are born with a completely developed sense of smell!

Neuroscientists have found that emotions and smells are linked in the brain and our day-to-day experiences. Smell and emotion are stored as one memory. This finding has led to a new understanding of how we process emotion, and it also adds to a growing body of research that smells can have a profound impact on the way we think and feel.

“So there you have it, a lifetime of first smelling the books, they all smell wonderful, reading the books, loving the books, and remembering the books.” — Ray Bradbury

I have so much affinity for bibliosmia, bib-lee-oz-mee-ah, or the aroma of a good book! The book's effect on my nostrils as I breathe in the scent of the page lights me up and brings back so many memories — even when it’s a new book.

The limbic system is the part of your brain associated with memories and feelings. When you smell a new scent, your brain links it to an event, a person, a thing, or a moment. Then when you smell that scent again, it conjures up the linked memory — whether it be an explicit memory or just an emotion or feeling.

Back in the 1900s, Peggy Crabtree (may she rest in peace) and Christine Moretti conspired to help me build my first collection of 100 books after the Helix Charter High School library cleared out thousands of books. Some of these books were from the early days of the school’s founding in the 50s.

I love how books smell because the smell brings back so many memories. I think about all the people I’ve met and places I’ve seen because of reading philosophy, adventure novels, poetry collections, and lots more.

Imagine my surprise when learning that the wonderful smell of old books is evidence of the book’s slow death! It turns out that the smell I love so much is actually caused by mold and bacteria growing on the book. The more it decomposes, the stronger the smell becomes.

“Books smell and feel better. They have that wonderful thingness of turning the pages.” —Neil Gaiman

Three ⚡️ in 31 Seconds

⚡️ The date, 3-31, reminds me of the gift of life. What are some things that you find significant reminders of the gift of life?

⚡️ Check out this Me Power Wheel of Principles and Practices (see below). Which of these principles do you most need to implement this week? For me, it’s Choose Your Guide(s). I’m establishing a new personal (LTA) Board of Directors focused on financial wealth, personal health, physical wellness, spirituality, and entrepreneurship. The individuals who make up my personal Board of Directors act as independent advisers; they don't take on the role of mentors or offer advice on my career path. Instead, they give me their perspective on whatever issues are important to me at any given time—and they do it without judgment or pressure. I'm so grateful for the newly established LTA Board of Directors in my life because they help me stay grounded and active in my focus on Me Power (knowledge of self + principled action).

Source: Me Power by Dr. LaNysha T. Adams on page 53

⚡️The host, Dr. Frances Richards, instructed: “Fill in the blank. Thank you pandemic because…” How would you respond? Click to hear how I filled in the blank.