When I was searching for a quote some time back I came across this little gem:

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, do 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.

~ William Ellery Channing (1780-1842)

These words, written so long ago, really touched me and sang to my heart.

And it got me thinking. Companies and business usually craft a mission or vision statement that expresses their direction and promise to their company, the environment, their staff, or the people they serve, and so on.

At some level, we all have a vision or mission; even if it isn’t clearly defined, written down or spoken about. It’s that feeling in your heart that you know is your Life Purpose.

When I read William Channing’s last line “This is to be my symphony” I thought “WOW!” What a great analogy to a Life Purpose or Vision, which really is a symphony full of crescendos, crashes, and booms that can typify the gentleness, excitement, passion, promise and conviction that, quite simply, is Us; our life journey, purpose, and vision. It is now something I incorporate into my Career Coaching Practice and encourage all my clients to do.

What is your Symphony? Please share in the comments below.