Some Saturday soul food: William Henry Channing

Source

Ah you gorgeous Planetarians, all 550 of you! Thanks for your kind birthday wishes - I really appreciated them. I'll post about my day soon - the celebrations will continue awhile longer. Tonight for our weekly soul food, I've chosen something from William Henry Channing, a US clergyman, writer and philosopher (1810–84).

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.

Oh my stars! I must print this out and pop it onto my moodboard. It is so eloquent, noble and wise. The first line is especially pertinent on Planet Baby right now. Elegance and refinement are two of my favourite states of being. I'd love to do more star gazing like the couple above. And I also appreciate the bidding to 'await occasions, hurry never' - as a wise person once told me, "Hasten slowly". Something to ponder in this age of hyper-connectivity and split-second timing.

I wouldn't mind this being my symphony.

How about you? Could it be your symphony, too? Do you adhere to any of these suggestions? Or is it a 'bit out there' for you? Dive in and share - that's what you Planetarians are best at. I can't wait to hear your thoughts.