To live content with small means
To seek elegance rather than luxury
And refinement rather than fashion
To be worthy, not respectable; wealthy not rich
To study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly
To listen to babes and birds, sage and stranger with open heart
To bear all cheerfully
Do all bravely
To let the spiritual, the unbidden, the unconscious
Grow up through the common.
This is my symphony.


William Henry Channing