My Symphony

to live content with small means
to seek elegance rather than luxury
and refinement rather than fashion
to be wealthy not rich
to listen to stars and birds
babes and sages with open heart
to study hard
to think quietly
act frankly
talk gently
await occasions, hurry never
in a word to let the spiritual
unbidden and unconscious
grow up through the common
this is my symphony

- william henry channing

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 listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common--this is my symphony.

good enough to read twice :)