How To Live (not merely exist . . . )

“To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common — this is my symphony.” – William Henry Channing

Short of similar sentiments from Emerson and Thoreau, this is one of my favorite thoughts on how to live (and not merely exist).

I found it here (#6).

Similar Posts

  • Why Planning Works (Always)

    Anything worth doing is worth planning (at least once). Lest I lose a potential reader who may think “Why plan small tasks? They’re small… ” let me say that even small tasks can benefit from a careful – albeit quick – planning session. Maybe there’s a better way of doing things, or maybe new resources are available…

  • Notice. Choose. Return.

    The above is the formula for using your thoughts and emotions in a way that serves you. A practice of thinking, feeling and noticing that will allow to be more content, fulfilled and prosperous. What do the three words mean though? How could just three words mean so much? *  *  * I was driving…

  • Get Clear, Get What You Want

    Until you commit your goals to paper, you have intentions that are seeds without soil. – Anonymous The mind loves clarity. Without clarity the mind – actually, our emotions – reverts to safety. Safety, for our emotional brain (the limbic system), is habit and routines and whatever has been shown to contribute to our survival (even if…

  • How To Accomplish More

    Who begins too much accomplishes little. – German Proverb Scattered. Harried. Stressed. Frantic. . . . *  *  * These are the words that describe the day-to-day lives of so many people. It’s what happens when you try to do too much. When you don’t know how to say “No” to the things that match…

  • Moving Towards Audacity

    Today, and every Monday (at least for a while), I am going to review last week’s posts, choose one and create an action exercise based on some aspect of the post. This week’s Action Exercise (or at least that’s what I’m calling it right now) is investigating what it is we might really want, but…