How I Want to Live

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, unconscious, grow up through the common - this is my symphony.

William Henry Channing