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 babes 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.

By William Henry Channing