From Sammie:

 

I’m not sure when these beautiful words were written, but the writer, William Henry Channing, lived from 1810-1884. This is one of my favorite pieces on gentle living:

 

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,

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 spiritual,

Unbidden and unconscious,

Grow up through the common.

This is to be my symphony.