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, to do all
bravely, await occasions, hurry never;
In a word, to let the spiritual,
unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the uncommen.
This is to be my symphony.
(Courtesy of William Ellery Channing, of 'cos.)
I have decided to move to France. Where I will get free health care, contribute to the average person's consumption of 120 gallons of wine per year (hopefull my alcohol tolerance will have increased by then) and make full use of the government's stipulated 5 weeks of annual paid leave to travel to a different country every year. Yea, tt's the life.