New Year's Symphony

A friend of mine quoted William Henry Channing in a note on Facebook. I thought it was quite extraordinary...and I want to create this symphony, too.

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 listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common--this is my symphony.
{Graphic from Snapshots of Joy.]