tracyschruderblogspot

Tag: thought

  • The Nose Knows # 1

    By Tracy Schruder

    Today I’m kicking off “The Nose Knows” series. I will be writing this series of blog posts within which, I dive into the world of scents, aromas and fragrances, the obvious ones and the subtle ones. I will also explore the odours of people, places, and things. I’ll be taking my senses on adventures—in forests, parks, and natural environments. I’ll then shift gears to explore manufactured spaces. My goal is to sharpen my awareness and level up my descriptive writing skills.

    I’ll be recording all my experiences derived of my basic rhino-instincts as a human being, in blog posts.

    Her Nose Knows

    We are either one or the other—a boy or a girl. Our olfactory senses tell us the truth about “who” we are experiencing. We can instinctively tell if someone is either a male or a female by their odours. We can’t help knowing this because it’s in our biological makeup. This is why we can’t fake our gender because consciously or unconsciously, everyone can smell it.

    Our sense of smell is closely tied to memory and emotional experiences. When it comes to perceiving differences between people, our brains process a mix of sensory inputs, including scent, appearance, and behavior.

    Research suggests that humans can detect certain chemical signals, like pheromones, which may influence how we perceive others. However, these signals are complicated and can be influenced by various factors, including individual experiences and cultural background.

    In the context of perceiving differences between people, our noses pick up on subtle cues that are often hard to put into words. These cues can be shaped by a combination of biological, environmental, and social factors.

    As a writer, I’ve always been fascinated by the power of scent to evoke emotions and memories. Dianne Ackerman’s book, A Natural History of the Senses, beautifully captures the complexity of our sense of smell and its role in shaping our experiences. I can only hope that I will be able to put my experiences and thoughts into words as elegantly as she has.

  • Creating A Thought Filter

    Creating A Thought Filter
    The Power of Pause
    By Tracy Schruder

    Have you ever spoken words in the heat of the moment, only to regret them later? Or maybe you’ve struggled to express yourself respectfully, in stressful situations. The good news is that there’s a simple yet profound technique to help you create a filter between your thoughts and words, it’s the breath.

    The breath is a gateway to Mindfulness. The breath is more than just a physical function; it’s a gateway to mindfulness, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.

    When you harness the power of the breath, you can learn to pause between your thoughts and words. In turn, this allows you to; reflect on your emotions and intentions, allowing you time to choose your words more carefully and respond with tact.

    If you want to communicate more effectively and with empathy, you could try a simple breathing technique called 4-7-8 breathing, also known as the relaxation breath. You start by inhaling through your nose for a count of 4 seconds, next,hold your breath for 7 seconds and finally exhale through your mouth for 8 seconds. This should help to calm your nervous system and in turn create space for reflection.

    Another simple breathing technique is box breathing. This technique involves inhaling for a count of 4 seconds then holding your breath for 4 seconds, next exhale for 4 seconds and then finally holding your breath again for 4 seconds. This creates a ‘box’ shape with your breath, helping you stay focused and present.

    Throughout your day, take brief pauses to breathe and reflect on your thoughts and emotions. This technique is called mindfulness pausing. During your time pausing, simply ask yourself, Is this thought,word or action aligned with my core values and best intentions? The answer will arise from your level of awareness and you will act accordingly.

    Another great alternative technique to use is physical grounding or anchoring. With this technique you feel all the physical sensations in your body. You then use these sensations as anchors to bring you back to the present moment. For example, focus on the sensation of your feet on the ground or the feel the air on your skin. Ask yourself do I feel sturdy right now or is the temperature cool or warm? Get right into it.

    Finally, this is my absolute favourite technique, journaling. Writing down your thoughts and reflecting on them, can help you process your emotions and gain more clarity about values and intentions. I like to make a gratitude list each day in my journal.

    You may be wondering how to put all these techniques into a practice? It’s been proven that by
    Incorporating these techniques into your daily life, they can make a profound impact on your relationships, communication style, and overall well-being. To get started you should consider starting small with short pauses throughout your day, gradually increasing the duration as you become more comfortable with the practice.
    Make mindfulness and breathwork a regular part of your routine, ideally at the same time each day.
    Share your goals with a friend or family member and ask them to hold you accountable.

    In conclusion, creating a filter between your thoughts and words takes practice, patience, and self-awareness. By harnessing the power of the breath and incorporating mindfulness techniques into your daily life, you can develop greater emotional intelligence, communicate more effectively, and live a more authentic life. Remember, the breath is a powerful tool, use it to open doors to new possibilities and to close doors to old patterns that no longer serve you.