TO LIVE CONTENT...

(Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park)

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, and 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.

by

~William Ellery Channing~

My Symphony