The Scent of Spring

One of the best things about living in Florida – in fact, maybe THE best thing – is the sweet smell of orange blossoms in the spring. It’s 11:29 PM and I am at my desk with the window open. A slight breeze is coming in from the west and with it the aroma is blowing in from the orchards.

When I run in the morning I can breathe deeply of this wonderful scent. It’s like someone flung a gigantic bottle of orange blossom honey everywhere. It really has a mellowing effect on your psyche. How can you be tense when the world smells so good?

Lately, I’ve felt the world spinning around me in turmoil. I read the headlines everyday and nothing makes much sense. A guy takes his 8 year old daughter into a convenience store to rob a bank cause he can’t afford someone to watch her. Bernie Madoff rips off thousands but doesn’t think he should get serious jail time. there is war everywhere and Rush Limbaugh is on the radio. The world is a crazy place. But the scent of orange blossoms can make me stop, relax and realize that we all must stop and appreciate the little joys that the world provides us. It really is worth it.