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.

William Henry Channing (1810-1884)

May it always reveal Him in all I do.