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 open heart;
To bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurrying never.
In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.
– William Ellergy Channing
A good friend/role model/teacher sent this poem to me a few days ago. I’ve never found such a beautifully concise manifesto. This is all I hope to be and do in the world. I’m so thankful to her for sharing it with me…and I wanted to share it with YOU!
Teachers come in many forms in our lives…this poem is teaching me right now.
Have a great weekend, symphony conductors!
