Ode to Pho: A Love Letter to Flavour, Memory, and Healing
Anyone who follows me personally on social media knows that my love for Pho is no passing fancy. It is a deep, unwavering affection that has been present for as long as I have had Facebook. So much so that our daughter was named after the very essence of this broth, Anise. Anise, the spice that defines a truly good Pho, the warmth that lingers and weaves its way into the soul.
Today, as I met a friend and saw a sign that simply read "PHO," I knew it was a calling, one must try. Living where I do, it’s rare to find a Pho that meets my expectations, but the mere sight of the word evoked excitement. Stepping inside, I was immediately drawn to the murals on the walls, not just for their story of Pho and the restaurant itself, but for what they represented on a deeper level. As a natural perfumer, storytelling through scent is my language.
The way a fragrance enters the limbic system, triggering memories and emotions, is a powerful form of storytelling.
This is what we call "resourcing" in somatic facilitation, the act of experiencing and feeling moments so deeply that they leave an imprint.
And just like the delicate balance of flavors in Pho, resourcing is about creating imprints that support, heal, and nurture us. It is about anchoring ourselves to memories and sensations that bring us comfort and strength.
What struck me most in this shared story of Pho was the idea of it being a gift, a labor of love that is meant not only to be enjoyed but passed down to future generations. When we heal, when we learn new tools, we don’t just keep them for ourselves; we pass them on. We share these gifts, these lessons, this wisdom.
Pho, like healing, is a slow, intentional process. A blend of essentials that come together to form something greater than the sum of its parts. A bowl of nourishment, history, and tradition, crafted with care, given with love.
The final image that stayed with me was the author’s sentiment of "setting one’s heart”. Not with the mind, but with the heart, because that is where truth resides. Our emotions, our core, our essence.
True diversity and wholeness come when we embrace all parts of ourselves—the ones we love and the ones we struggle with. Sitting with both, acknowledging them, and embodying them fully allows compassion to flourish.
This is the master stock. The foundation. The essence of everything we do.
And just like a perfect bowl of Pho, we get to embody our own vision, to savour, to nourish, to heal, to pass on.
A labor of love, an essence, an essential gift to ourselves and those who come after us.
If this resonates with you, I invite you to explore more about how embodied processing can support your healing journey. Check out our blog on Power of Scent, where we dive into the power of resourcing and self-awareness.
Additionally, if you're looking to deepen your connection with yourself, consider our Somatic Foundations Package, designed to help you build emotional resilience, find safety within, and integrate somatic practices into your daily life.
