Bringing Us to our Senses

I am very aware that we don’t all have the benefit of five senses (touch, sight, hearing, smell, taste). My sister and niece have no sense of smell, which is quite unusual outside these Covid times, but many more people lack sight or hearing which has much more of an impact on life I’m sure. 

It maybe that missing one or two of the senses makes you appreciate the others you do have more; I don’t know, but certainly I’ve realised recently how much I often overlook just how much pleasure mine can bring me.

In a world where we tend to be extremely focused on the value of doing and achieving, or simply having things. Of course there is pleasure in achievement, and possessions, but when we focus predominantly in this way it’s all too easy to miss out on just enjoying the simple things the world gives us through our senses, where we need do nothing but enjoy. I believe that means we often miss out on many of the riches life naturally offers us.

Recently I have had a problem with my back, and it has meant I haven’t been able to do a lot of the things I enjoy which feel purposeful. I haven’t been able to sit writing for long, I haven’t been able to get as much exercise as usual, so I have felt less fit, I haven’t been able to stand for too long and bake or cook anything interesting, and I haven’t been able to do the housework that keeps pointing itself out to me – not that I’m really complaining about that, it’s not my forte at the best of times!

I found myself frustrated and feeling useless. Then I stopped and lay on my back for a while and listened. I remembered that I don’t really believe that the value of life is in doing, but in experiencing all life has to offer whilst I am being who I choose to be. I suddenly thought it would be good to make a list of all the things that give me pleasure without me having to do anything, so I started a list. These are the ones that are simply joys that come from using my senses, there are others, things I simply do for the pleasure of doing them, that have no other purpose!

Below is just a small part of my ‘senses’ list as it’s extremely long, and I keep thinking of things to add to it. These are the riches of life that I often overlook. Maybe sometimes it’s good to have things that stop us in our tracks and give us the opportunity to notice them, but of course we can stop and do that anytime we choose.

Why not have a go and make your own list – unsurprisingly many of them came through our senses, but many others come through relationships and things we do, some of which, at the moment in this lockdown world may be experienced close up or more at a distance. I find just thinking of these things brings often brings a smile to my face. I guess we may share things in common, but everyone’s list will have their own special things that are personal to them.  Also, more good news, I’ve found once I have recalled these things in making the list, I am noticing them more at other times. Life can be rich indeed, even when we may feel it is limited.

• The trill, twitter, and coo of birdsong, especially on a sunny day
• Feeling the warmth of the sun on my face
• Chocolate melting on my tongue
• The sudden unexpected scent of mahonia or sarcococca on a drab winter’s walk
• Putting soft slippers on when my feet are tired.
• A baby smiling at me with its face hands and feet.
• The soft feel of fur and the vibrating purr of a cat enjoying being stroked.
• The sound of waves on the shingle at the seashore
• The sight of a tree in full blossom against a blue sky
• Feeling the cool of a shady patch on a hot day’s walk
• The smell of freshly mown grass
• Seeing a tree with its branches laden with white, fresh snow
• Touching the velvety soft ears of my Labrador
• The smell of someone else’s curry cooking as I walk past.
• The breath-taking view standing on a rocky outcrop atop a mountain.
• The sound of the sea lapping gently round a boat on calm day.
• The sight of a loved one’s smile
• The feel of getting into a hot bath on a cold day.
• The random shock of colour of a bed of wildflowers in bloom
• Seeing the joy of a dog chasing a ball
• The smell of freshly baked bread
• A glass of lemon & lime cordial with ice on a hot day
• The reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn leaves
• The tail wagging the whole dog to greet you when you get home.
• Finding perfect rose in bloom, then realising it also has a beautiful scent.
• The delicate beauty of a spider’s web covered in dew.
• The sound of infectious laughter
• The tickle of a furry caterpillar walking across my hand.
• The sight of an unexpected isolated sandy beach on a sunny day
• Lucy’s chocolate Guinness cake

I could go on and on. There are so many sources of joy in life, these are just a taste of those that come only through our senses but there are so many more. I recommend writing them down sometimes, however you frame the list; I am thinking of doing one that is about fleeting moments between people, be they loved ones or strangers, that make your heart sing, however briefly.

Whatever your list comprises of, taking time to acknowledge and record the things that bring joy to your soul, however small, can have the wonderful effect of making them more accessible at other times – somehow, they can become more than fleeting.

Enjoy!

Share D’All  April 2021