My Symphony

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 babies and sages,

with an 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 commonplace.

This is to be

my symphony.

 

WILLIAM HENRY CHANNING