Thursday, September 8, 2011

To Live Content...

....
"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 study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, to all bravely await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony."
This quote from William Henry Channing caught my eye over at Vicki Archer's beautiful blog FRENCH ESSENCE as did the post about her neighbors. 

Not a bad credo to live by, I think. Miss Susie Hutchins certainly agrees.

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21 comments:

Ms. A said...

Channing may have been on to something.

Marilyn & Jeff said...

All very beautiful: your photos, the quote, and Vicki Archer's post.

Martin said...

This is a new quotation to me, Vicki, but one I'm making a note of.

Brian Miller said...

not a bad credo at all and think goes well with the pic of the cat in the bowl...funny as they are content to sleep just about anywhere...good stuff vicki

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Definitely words to live by. I read all of the different blogger's take on the quote and each was different, yet so alike. Did you read happen to read A Femme d'Un Age? I enjoyed it because I still would love to live in Franc, even if only for a short time.

Love the first picture Vicki. The thought of it will cheer me all day. So much like a cat and so pleased with itself. Perhaps the cats know best how to live and get the best out of life with a little sense of humor thrown in for good measure.
Sam

Christine said...

Just wonderful! and Miss Susie is quite a lovely girl!

JJ Roa Rodriguez said...

I pve the pic and the quote. Somethng that i Can use t reflect on today. (and to better know my vocabulary, lol!)

Thanks for sharing this.

JJrod'z

Wayfarin' Stranger said...

I think Channing may have been talking about retirement. And just what is it with cats and bowls? Our Fiona forever does the same. Jim

Thérèse said...

Quite a symphony to live by and to reflect on. Cats seem to be on the right path!

Tracy Golightly-Garcia said...

This quote will go in my Moleskine quote book that I started some months back. Thank you for sharing and your pictures are lovely!

Have a great day.

Best
Tracy :)

NCmountainwoman said...

Wise words indeed. Now...if we would all listen and follow...

Louise said...

Very thought provoking.

Brenda said...

Great quote, and I absolutely love that photo of Eddie (is that Eddie?). The expression on the face is priceless. So very "cat."

BB said...

I've had to learn to go back to the basics and it's not that bad. Gives you appreciation for things around you like nature, beauty, good people, and above all your life.

Tess Kincaid said...

I love this quote! I might have to share it, too...

Stella Jones said...

What a lovely quote. Thank you for that. Love your pussy cat - so much like one of mine, sadly no longer with me.

Folkways Note Book said...

Beautiful photos -- beautiful words -- barbara --

Merisi said...

Beautiful!

Shall try to remember to sit quietly in my muesli bowl tomorrow morning. After the meal, I suppose. ;-)

Vicki Lane said...

Silly Merisi, bowls are for cats.....
(from Miss Susie Hutchins)

chiccoreal said...

There's a cat in the zone; so content!

Kath said...

Surely the couple in Provence have a sweet Miss Suzey to share their contentment.
Thank you for the link.