Heart of Gold

The timeless Neil Young song is the inspiration for this week’s column. Neil is an incredible artist but is much maligned in some quarters due to his far-left political bent. I hear a classic Neil Young song, or Springsteen, Clapton, or whomever, and I immediately 1) hope I’ll enjoy the song, and 2) think about the story the song tells, if any. I do not think, “Oh, I can’t stand his political views, I’m changing the station!” But I have friends who do that. No judgment if you are like that, but what does it say about your heart of gold?

What is a heart of gold? That is the elusive question, with interpretations left to each of us. For me, I’ve matured (gotten old) and had my near-death experience, so I’m a lot more mellow than I was. I’ve never not listened to an artist because of their political bent, mostly because I didn’t usually know that anyway, and once I liked the song, that was enough for me.

If I have a heart of gold, I will have joy in my life. I will endeavor to help others have joy. I will pray for those around me as I have no room to complain about anything.

Besides joy, a heart of gold has love. For themselves, their family, and their community. Instead of spending even 30 seconds wishing someone ill will, spend 30 minutes wishing them love. Life would be so much better if we turned off the television and did something positive for someone else. That would be a heart of gold, right?

The song speaks of being a “miner for a heart of gold,” suggesting, I think, that we have to dig deep for what makes a heart of gold. Self-reflection causes me to wonder about the past. Where and when have I failed others? At places and times when healing those wounds will bring joy to me and, possibly, the person I wronged.

The point I’m trying to make is that joy is ours for the taking if we will only embrace it for ourselves and give it freely to those around us. While ‘ol Neil was searching for a partner with the heart of gold, I think he’d have been better off making his heart pure as he would have had no trouble finding a life partner if he had that heart of gold.

Kelly Burke was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he spent his younger years, followed by his high school years in Atlanta, where he graduated from Georgia Tech, followed by Mercer Law School. He has been in the private practice of law, a magistrate judge, and an elected district attorney. He writes about the law, politics, music, and Ireland. He and his wife enjoy gardening, playing with their Lagotto Ramagnolo named George Harrison, and spending time with their grandchildren.