Words of wisdom from Ralph Waldo Emerson

I recently came across the following words, written by Ralph Waldo Emerson (Nature, 1836): “The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.”

skin of a tree

I wonder … Would Emerson encourage us to enact this wisdom by slowing down in our everyday?

Might he approve of people stopping, bending, leaning in, focusing their gaze, opening themselves to things often overlooked? Would he smile to see their thrill of surprise, joy of discovery, wonder at unexpected beauty?

bumblebee on goldenrod

milkweed seed

Early snow

October flurries –
the dry leaves
skipping across
the snowy highway
look happy to
come out
and play