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 open heart;
To bear all cheerfully, do all bravely,
Await occasions, hurry never.
In a word, to let the spriritual,
Unbidden and unconscious,
Grow up through the common.

This is to be my symphony.

William Henry Channing
1810-1884