Today I’d like to share this quote from William Henry Channing:
“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.”
I think it’s a beautiful, and refreshing, take on creative expression.
Advertisers encourage us to “express ourselves” through the things we buy. They tell us that by “styling” our lives — with sleek cars, designer dresses, or modernist housewares — we can show our creativity. (Of course, we all know this is just a clever marketing scam.)
More appropriately, we can express our creative genius through the things we make. We can draw, paint, sculpt, knit, make pottery, compose music, or cook fabulous gourmet meals.
I have degrees in both art and science. My brain is logical and analytical, but my soul is purely creative. It’s a frustrating combination; while my soul yearns to paint giant, abstract canvases, my brain enumerates the impracticalities of such a pursuit.
For years, then, I’ve struggled with the issue of creative expression. I don’t particularly like to buy things, and my uber-practical brain has prevented me from mastering any particular art or craft.
That’s why I love Channing’s quote — because he suggests that we can express our ourselves creatively through how we live. That living contentedly within our means, and harmoniously with others and our planet, is a work of art in itself.
With that in mind, I think I’ll stop worrying about finding my artistic calling in tubes of paint, balls of yarn, or globs of clay; for now, I’ll let my minimalist lifestyle be my symphony.
So tell me…what’s your symphony?
(FYI: Just wanted to let you all know I’ll be traveling next week, and will resume posting after the Easter holiday!)
{If you’d like to read more about minimalist living, please consider subscribing to my RSS feed, or signing up to receive new articles by email.}
Have a wonderful time traveling. The quote is beautiful, thanks for sharing it.
Glad you liked it, Simple in France!
I love this quote! It goes perfectly with my passion for being a simple and natural living Radical Homemaker.
Enjoy your trip! I shall miss your posts while you are gone. :)
Jenna Ann
Jenna Ann, I thought of you when I read the quote–and how Radical Homemaking is your symphony. :-)
My symphony in my life is like the rain…sometimes I am loud and excited…rushing about and breathing in live at a fun pace…other times I am soft and soothing and light, sitting back and just enjoying the moment. Always refreshing and calming, always changing at a moment’s notice. Simple and minimalist living allows me the flexibility to live my life that exact way. : )
That’s lovely, Heather!
I had to pause for a few minutes to say “thank you”.
How beautiful was your post.
And with that, it’s time for me to go. With a big smile in my heart, thanks to you.
Michael, I really appreciate your kind words. :-)
Wow, I really love that quote.
Between your last post and this one, you really have me thinking just how different all our journey’s are. What is simple and minimal for one isn’t for another. That’s what makes life so exciting.
I am also a creative person who expresses herself, in my way, through my homemaking and gardening skills. This is my art and I try to live it each day. I live within my means and try to not harm anyone or thing in the process. That being said, I am imperfect and no longer strive to be perfect. Each day I am just me. And that’s ok.
janet, i think the quote describes you and your little cottage perfectly. :-)
I enjoyed burning all my ‘Art’ a long time ago.I embrace Mathematics and Physics as a creative pursuit.
Art is in human beings and living creatures. If you look into the pupil of a creatures eye or a human being, you will see the Universe,all creation .The pupil is circular and the earth is circular.I was sitting in the park on a summers day and a insect landed on my hand.It was green and tiny.I looked at it with my eyes and it looked at me with its eyes.We became completely one during that moment.It became me and I became it.We are like the tenticles of one large organism.The many eyes of one – varying expressions of the same.We are only in different dimensions.Stripping the material away you eventually feel the universal energy.You see the fallacy and the illusion of the material.The trees vibrate with colour.Everything is connected.Even the words we all write on this website.We are actually having a conversation with ourselves when we communicate to and fro on this site.It is like looking in the mirror.
Jason, that’s really beautiful. I share the view that we are all connected, both with nature and with each other. It’s a wonderful, and compassionate, way to look at the world. All of existence is a work of art.
thanks for posting that quote. i share your conflict between art soul and methodical brain. the solution and absolution you find in channing’s quote is such a happy thing!
Mara, I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one. :-)
“I’ll let my minimalist lifestyle be my symphony.” Very well put. But you should add that your writing on minimalism shall be your legacy. As it’s truly a wonderful gift you share with the e-world!
I belive my minimalist lifestyle is also my symphony, as it makes room in my life for the things I truly value, such as living in a hip, cool neighborhood, frequent travel, dining out at trendy fun restaurants (all true passions of mine).
When a symphony is well played, it makes the heart soar!
Wendy, that’s so sweet of you! Yes, I guess, in a sense, my blog is my symphony. :-) Thank you!
Here’s a quote I always liked, by Thoreau:
“Pursue, keep up with, circle round and round your life as a dog does his master’s chaise.
Do what you love. Know your own bone; gnaw at it; bury it, unearth it and gnaw it still.”
I like that, fern — thanks for sharing it! (How could one man produce so many fabulous quotes?)
Thanks for your recent posts, they are really speaking to me at this stage of my life. I have been on a minimalist journey since the beginning of this year and I have been really struggling with a single fear. The idea that once you remove all your material possessions to a minimum (easy and enjoyable)and remove shopping/busyness as a leisure activity (addictive), you really cannot avoid the big question any more: what shall I do once I am really me and not hiding behind my possessions and my paid work hours? Craft and art were going to be my substitutes, but these are not working for me as I do not want the clutter of projects not needed and not really feeding the hunger in my soul. Any comments would be appreciated.
Hi PatriciaFrancesca! I went through the same thing…wondering what was “me” when everything was stripped away. You’re right, it can be a little scary — but it’s also pretty exciting! You just have to see what bubbles up to the top when you’ve removed all the “distractions.” For me it turned out to be writing, and the desire to have a dialog with others about minimalist living. I hope you’ll keep us updated!
I agree with Wendy in Seattle. Your great writing seems to be an important theme in your symphony. You’re blessed to have this gift and we’re blessed that you’re sharing it with us! Thanks for inspiring me, MM!
As for my own symphony, it’s about music and languages, love and minimalism, laughter, pets, animal welfare, taking risks, being comfortable with uncertainty, and hopefully, contributing something positive to my community.
Mia, thank you for such kind words! I’m touched that you enjoy my writing and find it part of my symphony. :-)
Your “being comfortable with uncertainty” struck a chord with me. I feel the same way. We have no idea where we’ll be six months from now, and that’s perfectly fine.
Oh, Miss Minimalist you are so clever! I love this post so much. Its such a great quote that one, I read it in one of my yoga magazines a few months ago. Thanks for writing and helping us along in this great ride they call life. Hugs, Sara
Thanks, Sara — love having you along for the ride! :-)
Thanks for sharing this quote :)
I think I’m still learning what my own symphony. Enjoy your travels!
Thanks, Aspiring Minimalist!
Have you ever heard of Holland codes? If you haven’t, I suggest a quick peek at the wikipedia entry for them.
I strongly suspect that you, like me, are artistic-conventional. It’s pretty rare because those are diametrically opposed to one another. One side of me loves music, loves the arts, loves beauty. The other side of me is incredibly pragmatic, which is part of the reason that I’m currently in business school. I’ve always imagined that when I grow up I will find a job that unites both of my tendencies.
Thanks for the info on Holland codes, Mneiae, that’s really interesting! After reading the Wikipedia entry, I think I would be investigative-artistic: I love the arts, but also love mathematical and scientific theory. I’d love to know what career you choose someday! :-)
Wow.
I read a LOT of blogs, especially on the simplicity/minimalism front, and this is one of the most powerful posts I have ever read. What an amazing, inspiring quote! Thanks so much for posting that – I’m going to have to look up William Henry Channing!
Awesome. I hope your travels and Easter holiday weekend are great minimalist fun!
Thanks for the nice words, Luke! I had a lovely minimalist holiday in Prague — basically wandering around the city, admiring the beautiful architecture, and enjoying some great Czech beer. :-)
Oh, that’s so lovely ;) I’m an artist – a painter – but first and foremost I’m a mother of a baby girl, and I have let go of all ambition, hurry to “get somewhere”, desire to “accomplish”, make money, be famous… I simply enjoy the flow, the act of painting, when I have the time for it. But spending time with my daughter and taking care of her is infinitely more important. And to tell you the truth, things are happening for me without me trying to accomplish anything. I accept them humbly and with gratitude, but they do not make me happy or proud. So, if all that was taken away, I would still be just as happy.
Interestingly, my paintings are not minimalist..
Hi Cat’s Meow! That’s so interesting that you say “things are happening for me without me trying to accomplish anything.” I think that when we let go of things, and stop worrying about “success”, that we produce our best work. :-)
Interesting that you should mention your desire to paint and express your creativity, but your logical half noted the impracticality, because I recently experienced a similar internal conflict. I love the act of painting or penning Chinese characters, but I don’t always like the result – seems like such a waste (paint, ink, canvas, etc). Until I discovered the Buddha Board ( http://amzn.to/b19y5s ) at my friend’s apartment. You “paint” a special surface with water and create temporary “masterpieces” as the water just evaporates after a while. And repeat. It’s a delightful creative outlet and, along with a small bamboo plant, are all that adorn the surface of my dresser.
I would love to have my symphony played in my ear to guide me through the day! I am learning to simply live and enjoy the beauty of nature, to appreciate the newness of spring, and to see the blessings in every day.
My symphony is my mismatched, third hand kitchen wares, found items, exchange boxes at a local coffeehouse, and knitted things I make. I also repair my friend’s pants, shirts, bras, blouses, darning socks, re-attaching buttons, zippers and sometimes covering a pesky stain with embroidery. Matching things is so 1950’s ;) Here’s to the wildflower-mis-matchedness of used and loved items!
Absolutely love this quote which hangs over my desk in my office- but it is William Ellery Channing, a Unitarian minister from the early 1800s. Thanks for posting it!
Absolutely beautiful… Thanks for sharing.. I am from Hong Kong. To be frank, I don’t know nothing about Western Philosophy… I discovered this quote from Bruce Lee’s FB page. He wrote this on the back of his own photo and gave it to his wife Linda while they were dating in 1963… My English is not good enough to fully comprehence this quote but I am certainly in love with this quote. I hope you could continue to post something occasionally.
Filled another bag with give away items and sure enough another bag appeared from my son.
I am teaching a quilting class and using worn out shirts to make a quilt. I like to create with what I get for free. No guilt, just something different and beautiful.
I am the grandma who repairs wounded stuffed animals and favorite clothing. The other grandma gives museum memberships. We were talking one day about how some grandparents compete to see who can give the biggest or most toys. If I am remembered as the repairing grandma or the parent who knows how to fix anything, I will be happy. I had saved yarn needles my MIL used for needlepoint and gave them to my niece for her knitting. I keep tiny treasures to give amongst the children. I had some tiny silver spoons from my mother and gave them to my sister.
I have been giving away more china we don’t use. It’s very beautiful but I don’t need it. I will keep a platter and 2 serving bowls. I repaired a hole in a sweater with a crochet hook yesterday and if it doesn’t look perfect, it looks much better. I seldom get dressed up and usually slacks, a top, and a cardigan is as dressy as I get. I have fewer clothes than any of my friends but that’s okay with me.
Continuously giving things away and recycling has taught me there is so much around all of us. I passed on some recycled objects yesterday to a fellow artist to spark her creativity. I have made crowns, nests, decorations, and even doll houses out of found objects. I am making tiny gardens from found objects now.
I enjoy decluttering so much, I declutter other people’s homes for a charity donation. Word gets around. I have been raising a few hundred dollars a month and Salvation Army and Goodwill are getting piles of clothing and linens. Plus, food charities are getting money. It’s a win–win situation. My synagogue has been getting $60 a month, too.