My Symphony

William Henry Channing

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,
babes and sages, with 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 common
this is to be my symphony.