O good and I’m Scott Savoy welcoming you to the month of September.
It is the bridge between the end of summer and the beginning of fall.
I cannot believe that time is ticking along so quickly.
Today our president Donna J. Jodhan puts out a call for us to spend more time sniffing the outdoors.
So how about it!
Read her editorial and respond to her at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.
Happy Labour Day weekend everyone!
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Sniffing More Of The Outdoors
By Donna J. Jodhan
When was the last time you stepped outside and really noticed the world around you—not just glanced at it through a screen, but truly experienced it? The scent of fresh air after rain, the warmth of sunlight on your skin, the soft give of damp grass beneath your feet, the gentle chorus of birdsong overhead. These are not luxuries. They are fundamental human experiences—ones we are quietly drifting away from.
Social media, for all its convenience and connection, has steadily taken center stage in our daily lives. It keeps us informed, entertained, and linked to others across the globe. And yes, it is here to stay. But long before the first notification pinged or the first post was shared, there was the outdoors—vast, grounding, and endlessly nourishing.
Somewhere along the way, we began to trade real sensory experiences for digital ones. Instead of smelling roses, we scroll past photos of them. Instead of listening to birds, we plug into curated playlists. Instead of walking through nature, we navigate feeds. And while these substitutes may offer momentary satisfaction, they cannot replicate the depth, calm, and vitality that come from simply being outside.
This shift is especially concerning for younger generations. If children grow up more familiar with screens than with soil, more comfortable swiping than exploring, what will they lose? An appreciation for nature is not automatic—it is learned, felt, and lived. And
if we want our kids to value the outdoors, we must model that value now.
The solution isn’t to reject technology altogether. It’s about balance. It’s about intentionally setting aside time each day to step away from devices and step into the world outside. Even a short walk, a few minutes of quiet observation, or simply breathing in fresh air can reset the mind and lift the spirit.
Reclaiming our connection to the outdoors doesn’t require grand gestures. It starts small: putting your phone down, opening the door, and letting your senses lead the way. You may be surprised by how quickly the world feels richer, calmer, and more alive.
So go ahead—sniff more of the outdoors. The difference isn’t just noticeable. It’s transformative.
I’d like to leave you with this for your consideration.
A gentle warmth hangs in the air as a family wanders through a stretch of lush, emerald grass, the sunlight spilling over them in soft golden layers. Parents and children move together in an easy rhythm, their dogs weaving happily at their sides, tails swaying like metronomes of contentment. Above them, birds chatter and flit between branches, drawing everyone’s gaze upward—faces tilted, eyes bright with quiet wonder.
Nearby, a narrow stream murmurs over smooth stones, its sound a calm invitation. The family drifts toward it, steps unhurried, as if guided by the water’s quiet pull. Not far behind, resting plainly on a simple wooden bench, lies a small cluster of iPhones—forgotten on purpose. They sit untouched in the open air, a quiet symbol of the moment: a choice to leave the digital world behind and step fully into something softer, slower, and shared.
Image = A sunlit park scene with a gently curving paved path cutting through a wide expanse of bright green grass, surrounded by tall leafy trees in full foliage, with colorful flowerbeds visible in the distance and a vivid blue sky overhead, while the low, glowing sun casts warm light and long soft shadows across the landscape, creating a calm and inviting atmosphere.
To learn more about me as an award winning sight loss coach and advocate visit http://www.donnajodhan.com