(William Henry Channing, 1810-1884)
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
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.
~
(Kind of says it all. - J.)
I really like this. Thanks for sharing!
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