This is my symphony

To live content with small means;

Illustration by Takot Ako Krakotz

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.
–William Henry Channing (1810-1884)

Photo by Timothy Brown

I saw many humans on whom there were no clothes,
I saw many clothes in which there were no humans.
- Rumi

You become. (The Velveteen Rabbit)

He said, "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and are very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

The Velveteen Rabbit