We Carry A Fragrance Into Our Environment

Elijah D. Ferreira, Moore Fragrance - Entrepreneur

Our sense of smell is profoundly sensitive, influencing not just our perception of flavors but also our impressions of people and places. Often, we can detect someone’s presence through their unique aroma before we even see them. Indeed, our olfactory experiences lead us to make snap judgments: a baby’s need for a diaper change, the off-putting scent of spoiled food, or the personal hygiene of those around us.

Professionals are frequently associated with the scents of their workplaces. Chefs carry the aroma of the kitchen, personal trainers that of the gym, mechanics the oily smell of the auto shop, and models may bear the scent of cologne or perfume. We tend to absorb and carry the smells of environments we spend the most time in. So, what fragrance does your spirit emit? Is your presence a breath of fresh air that uplifts those around you, or does it detract from the atmosphere?

Our responses to natural smells are mostly instinctive and immediate. We are drawn to pleasant fragrances and repelled by unpleasant ones. This response is understandable in the physical world, where our senses directly inform our reactions. But what about the more abstract "scent" of our souls? Can we detect the essence of someone’s character in the same way we sense physical smells, even though it lies beyond the reach of our natural senses?

My son, Elijah, is creative and an entrepreneur. He has so many artistic, fashion-forward, and digital talents that makes him masterful at design using amazing color palettes despite being diagnosed with colorblindness. A couple years ago, he launched his own Fragrance line called “Moore Fragrance” that focuses on natural skin care and community engagement and his company was recently featured at the University of South Florida in a small business event. Elijah has educated me on the differences between eau de toilette and quality perfumes, identifying whether a fragrance is crafted from higher-quality oil-based compositions or the more standard alcohol-based ones.

I love giving him hugs because his smell can shift my mood! His fragrance enters my space before his presence. When he departs, he leaves the gift of a long-lasting aroma that delights my nostrils. I’ve walked into our house and smelled him in the air, but he wasn’t physically there; it was only his fragrance that lingered.  His scent was deposited into the airways, and I received the residue from his fragrance.

https://www.moorefragrance.com on location at USF - MUMA College of Business

The fragrance of our hearts has a smell too and it emits an invisible yet perceptible aroma. This inward fragrance, whether it exudes sincerity, kindness, honesty, or malicious intent, significantly influences how others perceive and respond to us. Our emotional and spiritual fragrances are introduced into the atmosphere just as much as our physical scent. They leave an imprint on the spaces we inhabit and the people we lead.

Our inward conditions reveal themselves through our words, attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs. They are not secret for long if they are hidden at all. It’s essential to ask ourselves what impact we are making on our environment and what affect our environment is having on us. We need to immerse ourselves in spaces of quiet reflection and be accountable to people who inspire us to cultivate a fragrance that brings life to others.

What aroma do you carry? Is your leadership presence a refreshing fragrance that enriches your surroundings, or does it introduce a stench that sullies the atmosphere?