Phil Gross has written poetry and turned them into songs since he was about 19 years old. Many people write in diaries or journals.
Poetry and songs are his journals, documenting his life, strife, loves and the passing of his years.
Hi, my name is Amla Mehta and I’m a speaker, author, and teacher.
I’ve written two of my own books and one of my books is called Amla Speaks 365. There are 365 reflections in this book.
I’m going to read the passage from "Reflection 236." The theme is called “Food for Thought.”
“Why do we as humans question when we are sad or unhappy. When we are happy, we usually accept the feeling with open arms. Throughout the process of self-realization, one must accept the positive and negative thoughts, emotions, and feelings equally to maintain equanimity.”
She stared at me with her oh so serious and piercing eyes, chin resting on her hand, and said in a most sincere voice: “I love talking to old people.”
There she was, one of a gaggle of elementary school girls at the first meeting of our new workshop, and these were the first words I heard out of her mouth.
Well, I responded, "I love talking to young people, so we’re going to have a great time together – sharing and learning from each other."
“Hi hon. How was golf?”
“I was lousy, as always.”
“But how did it feel?”
“It was fabulous being out in this gorgeous weather.”
Sound like a familiar conversation?
We often allow feelings of hopelessness to become our predominant emotion.
Hello everyone. This is John and Cindy with Heart Speak. We’re here with Chris on the Intrepid on June 24, 2024, with Dr Jordan Metzl who just finished the most phenomenal Iron Work workout. Chris, how are you doing today?
I am doing excellent. I am very happy that John and Cindy came down here. My name is Chris Vichiola from Newtown, CT. As John said, I am on the Intrepid on June 24, 2024 with Dr. Jordan Metzl’s Iron Strength workout.
I want to share with people. You and I are going down to Rutger Park. You are going to be interviewing the NBA legends down there.
I want you and Cindy to inspire other people. Make connections down there.
(deleted garbled speech) For those of you listening, Chris is going to introduce us to Kenny Grant. He started in West Fourth Street in 1977. This is the greatest basketball arena.
According to Nike, West Fourth Street and Rutger Park go back and forth, one and two every year.
There’s a difference between alone without a life’s partner yet and being lonely. I wrote this song to explain the difference as I’ve come to understand it.
Phil Gross has written poetry and turned them into songs since he was about 19 years old. Many people write in diaries or journals.
Poetry and songs are his journals, documenting his life, strife, loves and the passing of his years.
While this song about the futility of war, was originally a Scottish dirge, I’ve adapted its melody with new words which are my opinion and expression of the futility of war
after my time and experience serving on 2 aircraft carriers, flying combat missions in Vietnam. I wasn’t the flyer, but I was part of the squadron.
One other point: the words “haru, haru,” which appear many times in the song are the Scottish equivalent of us saying “harah, harah” which the Irish version uses. And away we go.
This song too was written during the first gas crisis during the 1970’s Carter administration. I had fun putting these new gas shortage lyrics to these beloved Christmas standards, And as I say them you will be able to figure out by the nature of the song which Christmas song I carol out.
My wife really loves Christmas. The spirit of it, and everything about it. So, I wrote her this song.
The last GEM you just listened to was titled A Carousel Christmas Ride by Phil the Wordsmith.
I wish you were in the studio with us. He nearly broke a tear 2 or 3 times in the performance of that poem. And these are really not poems -their songs.