Where do we find our kinship?
In what genetic commonality –
in blood, in bone
in surname or proximity?
Or is it found
in some voluntary bond
of spiritual communion
with those who radiate toward us
some ‘field’ of beauty or of kindness,
acceptance and tender love,
compassion and understanding?
Isn’t sisterhood as much a choice
or brotherhood as much selection
as choosing one’s life partner?
Such bonds are formed
from an ability to trust, from truth,
from the like-mindedness
of kindred souls,
from a sense of knowing other
and being known deeply ourselves.
Such sisters urge, cajole,
console, uplift, encourage.
Such brothers protect, confront,
guide and support, sometimes
with joy and laughter, sometimes
with shared pain or tears but
both with unwavering care
and the wisdom of
their profoundly gentle spirits.
Forged of unbreakable love in
some instantaneous connectedness
that stretches across the
boundaries of time and place,
this special kind of kinship
creates its own environment
of peace and light
renewed each day with their
‘pheromones of grace.’
© Lianne Schneider June 2008
Pheromones of Grace
A few weeks ago, a most dear and valued friend, Jen Whyte, sent me a thought provoking and moving essay on decontaminating our personal “energy fields” and the environment around us by radiating positive rather than negative energy. The article went on to describe this invisible energy as emissions of minute particles called pheromones. We’ve all heard of pheromones in reference to sexual desire, of course, and we probably all have encountered individuals who strongly radiate such pheromones with seemingly no consciousness of their effect. But the author of this essay, Dr. Wayne Dyer, discussed the many other kinds of pheromones with which we can either contaminate our own personal environment and that of others around us, pheromones such as fear or envy, bitterness or resentment, or heal and renew that environment with pheromones of “love, kindness, surrender, peace, connectedness, forgiveness, cheerfulness and gratitude.”
That concept has remained clearly in my mind for many weeks now; it has in fact, been instrumental in helping me through a difficult time. But it has also reminded me of the incredible grace I experience in your presence – all of you who have come to mean so very much to me – and in particular the absolute peace and love I have received and return in equal measure to someone who has become the sister I never had – and you know who you are – and the brother who is closer to me than my own – and you know who you are as well. This is for you.
[The title of this poem is a phrase from an essay by Dr. Wayne Dyer, entitled, “There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem.”]
greeneyedlady, 4 months ago
oh, oh, oh to have someone like this in our lives!
ohhhhhhhhh, to BE someone like this in the lives of others!!!!
heaven, right here on earth…..
now that is a grace we could all aspire to, and with words like this to guide us, we just might get there!
lianne in reply to greeneyedlady’s comment, 4 months ago
It is without a doubt one of the greatest blessings of any life to find a friend who is as close or closer than a sister or a brother. Especially if one doesn’t have a sister at all – lol. And I’m very sure, Lisa, that with your incredible spirit, you are exactly this for someone! No one with your heart could fail to be that kind of friend!
devotee1, 4 months ago
some instantaneous connectedness
that stretches across the
boundaries of time and place,
this special kind of kinship
creates its own environment
of peace and light
renewed each day with their
‘pheromones of grace.’
Really Divine Expression! Some say that we choose our relatives and friends before we even enter a particular human form—of course, there must be other variables involved, for many individuals are born into horrible environments with challenges no sane person would wish on anyone.
lianne in reply to devotee1’s comment, 4 months ago
Yes I rather like the idea of choosing my siblings at least – lol. That’s not to say I don’t love my brothers – I do indeed. But the idea of having chosen our friends beforehand intrigues me and I feel it must be so – and I chose well in choosing you!
boydmiller, 4 months ago
If a nation of such connected persons ever is created…surely this will be the national anthem.
devotee1, 4 months ago
After reading Dr. Dyer’s explanation, which I subscribe to entirely, I thought I would add that I know this positive energy can also manifest over great distances.
lianne in reply to boydmiller’s comment, 4 months ago
Boyd what a lovely compliment that is – I’m very touched. Thank you!
lianne in reply to devotee1’s comment, 4 months ago
Oh indeed Joe, my friend – and it was just such to which I am referring! Beyond distance, space or time! You are such a dear friend, my lovely Joe!
Ryan J. Douglas, 4 months ago
enjoyed this very much. it’s great :)
lianne in reply to Ryan J. Douglas’s comment, 4 months ago
Thank you so much Ryan – I’m glad you liked it!
saleire, 4 months ago
I am overwhelmed with a sense of spirit and such love when I read this…..truly a work of art that shows the depth of your spirituality and graceful attitude to life and love…...you are a very special human being and I am honored to know you. This piece confirms everything I believe in…..love…radiating like an aura of harmony and peace to all those that are our kindred souls and family…...it’s not blood that is the real bond of love…...it’s the energy of love that radiates from our hearts and you my wonderful Lianne have written this perfectly. Love and so many hugs, Sal xxxx
ein22, 4 months ago
This is a very intune wise piece of writing. There radiates a great sense of empathy and compassion towards your subject. Which clearly shows in the clear and concise observations made by you. Well done.
lianne in reply to saleire’s comment, 4 months ago
I have, my dear Sal, the most wonderful “sister” to thank for the inspiration really. Ever since I read this essay, I have thought of how well it fits, how much I wanted to say thank you. And you, dear friend exude exactly the aura you have created today – full of light and love and joy. I’m glad you liked this Sal – it’s really where my heart has been.
Jen Whyte, 4 months ago
Oh Lianne … what can I say about this beautiful piece of writing … you have said it ALL!
Myers Group Soul Theory has always intrigued me and I think there is a lot of truth in it as there are times when we meet someone who we know we have met before so it would make sense that we belong to a group of souls who when they are reborn even if they do not physically meet another member they immediately recognise them. I think Shakespeare had the right of it when he wrote ’’There are stranger things in heaven and earth than are thought of in our phylosophy!
Thank you for being my soulmate!
lianne in reply to ein22’s comment, 4 months ago
Thank you so much, Ein – I’m so very glad you liked it and that it spoke to you in some way. I really appreciate your comment a great deal.
beast, 4 months ago
the poem and what your freind spoke about are brilliant and compliment eaxh other perfectly. Its such a big concept that would rule, and i think from reading this does rule, our lives, and you have got this down to a tee, especially in the lines;
from a sense of knowing other
and being known deeply ourselves.
as this is a very difficult thing to find. Thanks for another epic :-)
lianne in reply to Jen Whyte’s comment, 4 months ago
Oh Jen, my dear friend – I have treasured this gift and guarded it more closely than you could know and tried to find some way to say thank you. Group Soul is I think the right of it and some bonds and some friendships are just as you say, that instant recognition of that shared soul. Thank you, my very dear friend – for all of that and more!
saleire, 4 months ago
I just read Boyd’s response and want to say…....we are that nation of connected persons and this should be our new bible :o)
lianne in reply to beast’s comment, 4 months ago
Thank you so much Luke – I think that you are very much a part of that Group Soul that Jen spoke about. Yes, it’s hard to find sometimes but oddly that recognition can come to us sometimes when we are not looking for it and perhaps least expect it! Thank you so much, my friend – I’m very glad you liked it!
lianne in reply to saleire’s comment, 4 months ago
Well if it is – and if we are – you, my dear Sal, are its author much more than I. Thank you… and so much love to you!
saleire, 4 months ago
Now I’m blubbering!!! :o) You always manage to do that to me :o)......I love you dear friend xxxxxx
butchart, 4 months ago
where and when did we find each other Dear Lianne…. i can’t even remember…. that’s the beauty of it… it doesn’t matter ///could have been lives ago..years ago…just yesterday….. it wouldn’t make a difference…... the bond is there… and will be for the rest of our journey through this time and any that follow….......... you are loved…........... b
lianne in reply to butchart’s comment, 4 months ago
You’re so very right, my dear Butch – I have a feeling that it was lives ago but as you say, it doesn’t matter at all…it just IS. You are loved, too, dear friend…so very much!
girlinthestars, 4 months ago
how absolutely beautiful, Lianne. It made me smile in thankfulness of the love and friendships I have but I must admit it too made me ache for a friend I have lost, not to death, but to her deceit. I love your descriptions here, they are so perfectly put, I read it twice!~*
lianne in reply to girlinthestars’s comment, 4 months ago
Awww Amy, I am touched and honored by that. But I’m glad it made you smile more than ache and that it spoke to you too of the blessing of such amazing friendships. Thank you so much, my friend, for your lovely comment.
Talkingwatermelon, 4 months ago
Well done lady! Perfect balance between poetry and insight – thought provoking and altogether beautiful.
lianne in reply to Talkingwatermelon’s comment, 4 months ago
Thank you Brad for such a lovely compliment – I’m so glad you liked it and found it balanced. That means a great deal to me!
LindaR, 4 months ago
Oh Lianne ~ I don’t know how to express in words how deeply you’ve touched me with your verse ~ I feel like you’ve looked into my heart and laid out the invisible truth ~ like a brush filled with water and made all the colors come to life on this page. If I could say what I strive for ~ in my heart, my art, my relationships ~ I would chose this poem to point to ~ you incredible woman you!! I so treasure you my friend xxx
lianne in reply to LindaR’s comment, 4 months ago
As I treasure you, dearest Linda. What an astonishingly beautiful analogy Linda – “a brush filled with water and made all the colors come to life..” I am so moved by your comment, my sweet friend! Thank you from way down in my heart!
linaji, 4 months ago
wonderful..like to aspire to this way of feeling my life.. thank you Lianne.
lianne in reply to linaji’s comment, 4 months ago
Ahhh but Lina – that’s what you share all the time – that determination to surround yourself with positive energy and to radiate it as well. On the bad days, we just have to remember it!
Summayyah Sadi..., 4 months ago
Oh Lianne! This just brings tears to one’s eyes…it is so beautiful, very inspiring truly filled with enriching energy…you are such good energy yourself, I can’t imagine how you keep up with so many of us wanting a bit of you for keeps….
lianne in reply to Summayyah Sadiq-Ojibara’s comment, 4 months ago
Summayyah my sweet friend – thank you so much – I can’t tell you how touched I am by that comment. Funny thing about love – the more you give it away, the more you have to give, it seems. It just bubbles up all over the place! [And are you the source of the feature in bits and pieces?? Oh Summayyah I’m soooooooo honored by that!!!!!!] Thank you my dear dear friend!
Nancy Fischer, 4 months ago
Your ability to “see” and share what you do into words is wonderful. I love your ideas I truly believe it’s your inner self that can radiate this kind of bond and if you have these relationships in your life it’s a direct result of drawing them to you. Beautiful piece of writing.
Nancy Fischer, 4 months ago
Oh and congratulations on having this written work featured in the Bits and Pieces Group! Well done Lianne.
lianne in reply to Nancy Fischer’s comment, 4 months ago
Nancy I’m so touched by this comment – you’re such a special person in my life and it just means so much that you “get” me – I’m just so unbelievably thrilled that you like this!
Carol Lirette, 4 months ago
very well done Lianne!! you have such great insight & it is very inspirational to say the least!!
hugs!
Carol
lianne in reply to Carol Lirette’s comment, 4 months ago
Thank you so much Carol – you’re just too gracious and kind. I so appreciate your comment!!
Natella2020, 4 months ago
Optimisitic and beautiful.
lianne in reply to Natella2020’s comment, 4 months ago
Thank you so much Natella – I so appreciate your comment.
Tina Hogg, 4 months ago
Superb powerful words – full of wisdom & reasons for celebration and joy! Thank you for sharing this. I’m putting in faves as I want to be able to read this over and over! I have always found those connections,links, to be a mystery that I didn’t want to question too much!
lianne in reply to Tina Hogg’s comment, 4 months ago
Oh Tina – I’m just so pleased and honored that you liked it! Yes it’s so much a reason for joy – inexplicable and no, we don’t need to question such a wonderful mystery – just accept it for the wonder it is! Just makes life so worthwhile! Thank you so much, my friend!
Tony Ryan, 4 months ago
Hi Lina,
I thoroughly agree about energies. I think people are in many cases unaware as to how their thoughts and emotions affect others. We seem to be a society that places appearances ahead of being open about our fears and weaknesses. However energy is exchanged and does communicate the emotions within.
I believe that we have all been confused in our lives and many who have held the confusion lose belief in innocence and purity both in themselves and others. However if we all were open about our inner state of being I beleive the world would become a much more easy place to experience and learn.
Best Wishes Tony.
lianne in reply to Tony Ryan’s comment, 4 months ago
Well thank you Tony – but it’s Lianne not Lina – lol. You’re right though that many people are unaware of their own energies and how they are affecting their personal environment and that of others. Or that we are responsible for shaping our own “inner being”, for conquering negative emotions and focusing our attention on being the kind of person who radiates rather the positive energies. I very much appreciate your insight Tony and your lovely comment.
Tony Ryan, 4 months ago
Sorry Lianne. Where am I getting Lina from? Thanks for your response to my post.
Best Wishes Tony.
geminut5, 4 months ago
i’m one of the lucky ones that can relate to this <3>
lianne in reply to geminut5’s comment, 4 months ago
Oh you are you most darling friend!!!! You certainly are and it was for one like you this was written! Love you!
Susie Mac, 3 months ago
Lianne… this is wonderful….very well written, my dear friend… i know exactly the grace you are talking about… i have a brother who i never see and have never had a sister…. thats why the love we feel from others is so meaningful…. peace and love ….. susie :) x
lianne in reply to Susie Mac’s comment, 3 months ago
I don’t have a sister either, my dearest Susie, and you are so right – that’s why other’s love is so meaningful. And my sweet friend, you have grace enough to light the whole world! Thank you so much …love you!