For as long as I can remember, Autumn has been my favorite time of year. And I know I’ve mentioned that before. But this morning a particular Autumn day popped into my head. And I could practically smell the multi-colored, crunchy leaves as I thought about it. Have you ever noticed how much your sense of smell connects with memories?
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Yeah, it’s cool how your sense of smell can help you show and tell.
I read a research article that said your sense of smell is connected to your memory, more than the four other senses mostly because of anatomy. Evidently, when scents enter your nose, the first thing they contact is the olfactory bulb up in your nasal cavity. Hmm…side note. Maybe that’s why when you remember something or come up with a good idea you say a “bulb goes off.” Or maybe not.
Anyway…
Your olfactory bulb takes in the neural stimulus and sends it to the brain. And it has a direct connection to your brain’s limbic system which includes the amygdala (which I’ve talked about before). And your limbic system is where a lot your memories and emotions are controlled.
The research a article mistakenly said your olfactory system is “evolutionarily important.” Of course, that’s silly and sad on the surface. But even more importantly it isn’t scientific. Because science shows how complex your brain systems are. And time and chance could never bring about such complexity.
No, it makes so much more sense to say you and your complex systems were designed. And then it makes perfect sense to say a living, loving, Creator gave you a sense of smell, connected to memories, because He knew you’d enjoy that.
And I sure enjoyed those connections this morning.
As I thought about that crisp, cool day, all those years ago, I remembered it was the weekend. And I had a day off from college and from work. So, I was able to spend the whole day with a girlfriend.
We took a picnic to a well-known park, there in Manhattan, Kansas. And there was enough cool breeze to blow the leaves off the trees. But not for us to freeze.
And I can still hear and smell the rustling sounds as we walked across the park, through the leaves. And the scents from the Big Blue River, nearby, wafted through the air. The sky was clear and bright blue.
The whole scene played right into the hands of my imagination. And I’m pretty sure I could look back through my journals and find something I wrote about it. But maybe I’ll share that another time.
For now, I’ll just wish a day like that for you, today. Or any day you need it to be.
Memories collect through all our senses
So, times we love are never lost for good.
If you’ve lost your way, come to your senses.
Your peace of mind will be a likelihood.
Stay tuned,
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