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{ SHIFT+CONTROL{ TAMMY’S TIDBITS }} TIME TO STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS

BY TAMMY VREELAND

Ah yes! We’ve made it through March’s wind, April’s showers, and now it’s almost time to enjoy May’s flowers! So, are you prepared to take a little time to stop and smell May’s flowers?

OK, so maybe I am combining clichés - ‘May Flowers’ from ‘stop and smell the roses’ but alas, a rose by any other name will be just as sweet! Point is, it doesn’t have to be May’s flowers, or a rose - just stop and smell them!

In fact, did you know it doesn’t even have to be a flower? Gasp! Yes, to stop and smell the roses can actually mean, simply enjoying and appreciating the moment for what it is! No beautiful flower (May or otherwise) to smell in the break room at work or in the kitchen at home? Flowered paper towels may have to suffice!

So, how do we go about making that ugly printed flower on a paper towel work for us? We close our eyes and I want you to visualize a dried Dandelion (yes, another flower) but why in the world an old dried up one? Why can’t it at least be a pretty bright yellow one?

Because, as our eyes are closed, we are going to visualize holding this dried Dandelion. We’re going to take a deep breath in and as we slowly exhale, we are going to visualize blowing that once beautiful, vibrant flower into the wind - to plant seeds for new beautiful flowers to grow!

Not only is it going to remind you of doing this as a child, but metaphorically it will extend you being blown into the world. To plant your seeds of beauty! To leave that break room or kitchen feeling young, refreshed and appreciative of what you offer the world!

Different from what you may have thought I was going with but perhaps stopping and smelling the roses/flowers, sometimes needs to be us just stopping and appreciating ourselves! Of course, we can appreciate what we have and others, but how often do you stop and appreciate yourself?

What are the things you like about yourself? Seriously, be kind to yourself, for it is all too easy to be your worse critic! How about, for a change, be your own friend? Be the one that puts that smile on your face! All too often, we blame others for our bad day when, in fact, we hold the key to turning it around! But how? How would you cheer up a friend? Let me ask you a question, have you ever bought yourself flowers? Did you know that’s even allowed? Or perhaps a scented candle or a new perfume?

You will notice I am using a “scent” theme, not only for my May flower idea but for something we forget, the actual smell of flowers! Usually, our fail-safe method to comfort ourselves is through food, when in fact, a particular smell can work just as efficiently and be much kinder to the waist line!

Does not the smell of flowers alone bring a smile to you? Whether it be Lavender, to calm you, or the exotic smell of Jasmine to perhaps, put you in a sultry mood? Even the simple smell from flowers around your home can put you at ease. In the summer, we have this overwhelmingly beautiful smell of honeysuckle down the road. Every time I smell them, I smile - for I know I am home.

What better way than to use these smells to help you appreciate yourself? And there simply is no excuse for not indulging in those beautiful smells! You may try to say, “Flowers aren’t practical and die.” That may be true, but that makes getting them even more of a treat! You may say, “I can’t burn candles at work.” OK, and yet there is a world of smells in Essences and Essentials!

The difference between Essences and Essentials is that Essences are chemically produced to reproduce the taste and smell of the original ingredient, whereas Essentials is a natural oil with a characteristic smell of the plant. Essences and Essentials come in small bottles and do not take up much room. Plus, they now have these really cool lockets that hold either leather or felt in them, where you can put a couple of drops on the material inside the locket. The locket has holes in it, allowing the beautiful fragrance to come out. This is such an easy fix for the office, at home, at school – anywhere! It is not overpowering to be offensive to others but can instantly bring a smile to you, transporting you into your happy place and before you know it, your mood has changed!

We’ve talked about taking time to smell the flowers and also enjoying the smell of flowers, but we cannot forget how a certain color can also affect us! Blue is a very calming color, making you feel