[Tulips in our front yard.]
I've taken to reading the following bit of poetry with Alexandra and Lorelai every night; I can't help but think that the pieces of wisdom written in these words - if followed - can bring great happiness:
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,
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,
Hurry never.
In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden, and unconscious, grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.
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.
-William Henry Channing
