a little word

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, 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.

William Ellery Channing

I am sorry I have been away this week.  I am trying to work out my juggling routine.  Turns out, it is hard to stand on a ball and hold a fish on a rake (sorry, Dr. Seuss).  Here are some words that a friends passed along to me (thanks, Mary).