Making Sense of Our Senses

I've heard it said that it's virtually  impossible to describe what "salty" tastes like.  While admittedly difficult, I'm not convinced that it's a lost cause.  As adults, We want specifics, and we struggle to find just the right words. 

Children have no such inhibitions.  They don't worry about being right or wrong.  They're quick to shout out whatever comes to mind.  it's what they do, and it's to be cherished.  Before long they'll become as self-conscious as the rest of us. 

I watched a group of preschoolers as they listened to recorded sound effects, having fun guessing what they heard.  The sound of a dog barking, the mooing of a cow, or the roar of a lion.  Upon hearing the sound of crickets, the room became a bit hushed until One little boy spoke up, "It's nighttime!"

I was taken aback for a moment.  he had captured it perfectly.  When I hear the sound of crickets, I find myself magically transported to my grandparents backyard as a little girl.  Yet I know that if asked, I would have quickly given the proper answer of "crickets" . . . all the while sensing a warm summer evening from my childhood. 

Exploring the sense of smell seemed to produce a similar result.  The aroma of cinnamon resulted in an exclamation of "thanksgiving"!  while a bottle of liquid smoke, prompted shouts of "camping"!  It made me wonder.  What defines what we see, hear, and smell?  Are there actual right and wrong answers, or is there something else going on here?  Perhaps our senses are so much more, working quietly behind the scenes, providing subtle distinctions that eventually become ingrained within us.

So, rather than searching for words to describe how "salty" tastes, one might take a page from our group of exuberant youngsters.  the simplest sensations—a salty crunch, a whiff of cinnamon, or the chirp of crickets— remind us to embrace the world with the wonder of a child.  By allowing our senses to do the heavy lifting, the simple enjoyment found in a bag of popcorn takes care of the rest.