Words from the Heart

As we start the month of February, I thought I would share with you all some poems of love written by me as well as a few of my favorites by others.  BREAK THROUGH by Linda M. Rhinehart Neas © 2010 Looking up from the reading, Our eyes meet. Muted whispers fade to white noise -         colors swirl - the beating of my heart         syncs with yours. I blink, taking off my glasses         so that you will no longer be visible. Too late!  Your look is etched         in my heart. CONSENSUAL   by Linda M. Rhinehart Neas © 2010 Dancing around each other, we denied what was obvious    to everyone else. Months past as we carefully held ourselves in check - unable to let go. Finally, a life-line thrown,      permission granted, we now dance arm-in-arm WORDSMITH For Roger, who writes the music of m...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife Fifty years ago, I was a tween enamored with our new president.  At age eleven, events in the world have the potential to shape your outlook on life. The words, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your county," informed my dedication to social justice and peace work.  It also informed my philosophy for life in general.   Ask not what your family can do for you, but what you can do for your family, or your church, or your school or your community.  After fifty years following a worn path to equality, peace, and justice, I have come to believe, to know that if we are ever to get to the end of the road, if are ever to enter the Promised Land, then it will be through thinking and doing for others. Our leaders in Congress need to look at JFK's speech, actively listening to the words and applying them to their lives.  The US is being strangled by partisan politics.  Our senators and representa...

Image via Wikipedia Long ago, I was taught that to give of yourself was the greatest gift a person could give. How fitting that we, as a nation, observe Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's National Day of Service during the liturgical season of Epiphany, a feast of giving. Epiphany is a Christian observance that marks the time when the Magi found the infant, Jesus. They brought special gifts, believing as astrologers did in those days, that the new star they had found heralded the birth of a king.   In learning the story of the Magi as a girl, I remember wondering about the juxtaposition of the lowly shepherds to the Wise Men from the East .  While it was quite splendid that the Wise Men were able to bring such amazing gifts as frankincense, myrrh and gold, it really wasn't that much of a sacrifice for them.  In comparison, the humble gift of lambs from the shepherds was much more precious. I struggled, as a child, with making sense of the idea of "giving of yourself" ...

  Image by Sister72 via Flickr Picture from the Blizzard of '78 I survived the blizzard of 1978. For those not old enough to remember, the blizzard hit the Northeast with a vengeance beginning February 5, 1978 and ending on February 7, 1978.  I was pregnant with my first child at the time.  Staying in a tiny apartment nearly drove me crazy, so as soon as I could, I was out the door, waddling down the street. (Really, at 8+ months pregnant, I waddled...even looked like a penguin with a big gray overcoat just barely covering my tummy.) What a joy it was to walk the streets with no traffic!  Everything was covered in crystal white snow.  The sounds were muted.  The air smelled clean and crisp.  It was an experience I will never forget.     Enchanted Cottage - January 2011 Yesterday, we had the first real Nor'easter of the year.  Over 18 inches of snow fell in less than 24 hours.  After spending yesterday watching the world turn ...

Angel of Grief The news from Arizona of the past 24 hours has been so disheartening.  After listening to a commentary by MSNBC's Keith Olbermann , I felt I must write. Mr. Olbermann's commentary was an act of bravery the likes of which we haven't seen in many years.  His words are a call to all citizens of this great country to stop being stupefied by the drone of media that simply inundates us with negativity.  It is a call to all to stand up to those who believe that it is OK to "joke" about violence, or "kid" about hurting others.   IT IS NOT OK! It is not OK to abuse others verbally.  It is not OK to allow others to abuse people mentally, physically, or verbally.  We ALL have the power to stop this form of domestic terrorism. We have the power to tell advertisers and TV stations that we will not buy their products, or watch their channel if they continue to show news programs that condone hate, violence and abuse.  We have the power...

Image by sarniebill1 via Flickr A Time for Reflecting As I took my daily walk this morning, I was overwhelmed by a sense of joy in listening to the birds sing their matins to the the sun as it rose above the mountain .  I immediately said a pray of my own in thanksgiving for the song and a petition for those who have suffered the horror and grief of finding dead animals in their communities. Reflecting on this recent tragedy, it occurred to me that it is easy to fall victim to the constant assault by the media on the horror of the situation.  This realization is what spurred me on to write today.  It is imperative that we remain strong during difficult times.  Remember, our thoughts are energy.  If we dwell on negativity, then our energy will be sapped.  We can keep our energy high by prayer, mediation, and exercise .   While the mass death of birds and animals is tragic, it is not unique.  It has occurred over the millenniums , begin...

Image by paul+photos=moody via Flickr It is day two of the New Year.  I am up before the sun on a gray winter's morn doing a bit of self-reflection on the past year.  As an optimist, my reflection is all about counting my blessings; however, I also want to take stock of what didn't work this year. The highlights of the past year have been many. My daughter, Kathleen was married. My daughters, Gwendolyn and Courtney each gave birth, adding to our ever-growing family. My daughter, Elizabeth moved back to New England. Many friends and family visited the Enchanted Cottage. My second book, Gogo's Dream: Swaziland Discovered was published. I reconnected with several old friends via the internet. My quest to become a minister of peace and justice through interfaith dialogue has moved forward. Just a few of the things that have not worked for me include, being unemployed, being sick, and not being able to exercise.   As we enter 2011, I am determined to continue my s...