Smell the Flowers

Picture by Trisha Shears

I mean literally.

This morning, my hubby and I woke up around 5-ish and the morning sun was shining brightly. So we decided to go for a refreshing morning walk. In the complex where we live there are, I think, about 50 apartment buildings. In between them, the architects designed little paths and gardens. And this time of year, these gardens are full of the most magnificent roses. They come in all sizes and in colors ranging from bright yellows to soft pinks and deep reds.

Not only are they wonderful to look at, they also suffuse the whole place with their delightful perfume. My hubby was quite amused at how often I paused to plunge my nose in the nearest flower and inhaled the scent. It was wonderful.

Smelling flowers is something we've left for the days we are given them. We smell the flowers in a bouquet, but not the ones outside. Isn't that strange? We also seem to feel quite self-conscious stopping alongside the road, to smell the flowers nearby. But it's worth it!

Part of the beauty of flowers lies in the fact that they are fleeting. They're only around for a week or so, before they'll die and you have to wait a whole year, or at least a couple of months again, before they come back. The scent of these flowers is a rare perfume that so often goes unnoticed or unappreciated.

So next time you pass by a rose bush or a jasmine tree, stop for a second and breathe in that sweet aroma. Let it tickle those receptors in your brain that give you joy and relaxation. Let it paint a smile on your face and lighten your mood. 

My favorite flower scent has to be lily-of-the-valley, closely followed by rose and jasmine. If I pass by one of these, I just can't resist sniffing.
Which flowers smell the most wonderful to you? Do you use flower-based perfumes? Do you grow flowers in your garden?