Art of My Heart: Music

June 29, 2012

"I despise a world which does not feel that music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy"

-Ludwig van Beethoven

Anyone who knows me even remotely knows that I am borderline obsessed with popular culture. Not the gossip rag nonsense regarding various celebrities’ sexual orientation, relationships or drug and alcohol-fueled escapades.

Rather, I’m endlessly fascinated with the ebbs and flows of the entertainment world, which musical artists are shaping the mass consciousness, what films are making an impact, etc. However, while I possess an appreciation of the arts on a grand scale, only a select few works manage to capture my heart in that special way that essentially makes them an indelible part of my entertainment DNA.

I will likely do a future blog post delving into my favorite films (as this is my personal favorite artistic medium). This time, though, I’m outlining the five male vocalists which I feel most represent my musical taste and with which I most identify.

5) Musiq Soulchild (1977-present)

How You May Know Him:

Unless you’re a big fan of R&B, you may not have. Aside from a few moderate hits, Musiq Soulchild has largely stayed off the pop charts. Rather, his career has been marked by a steady, more low-key following within the R&B community, where he has amassed six hit albums in the past 12 years. Sales-wise, he may not be in the same ballpark as someone like Usher, but his under-the-radar nature enables him to avoid having to commercialize his music unnecessarily.

How I Became a Fan:

Around 2000, I caught the video for his single “Just Friends (Sunny),” which was featured on the soundtrack to Nutty Professor II: The Klumps. The film was a massive disappointment, but the song always stuck with me. Its subject matter is simple (a guy asks a girl out just because he wants to get to know her better), but the laid-back vocal delivery and romantically implicit lyrics hooked me right from the start. It probably helped that – at this point, at least – I was far too shy to actually ask a girl out. The song was a fun way of fantasizing about it in the meantime.

Why His Music Resonates With Me:

The let’s-be-friends-but-possibly-more message of “Just Friends” carried on through several of Musiq’s other tunes, most notably “B.U.D.D.Y.” and “Halfcrazy.” In addition, he has made some of the most romantic soul songs of the last decade in “Yes,” “Whoknows” and “Dontchange.” His music is melodically driven, lyrically sincere and distinct in that it pays tribute to R&B of old and still maintains its status as so-called “neo-soul.” For someone like me who spent the better part of his life pining for the kind of love Musiq sings about, it’s easy to see why I was drawn to it.

Signature Work:

“Halfcrazy” and “Dontchange” – both off his sophomore release Juslisen – are his highest-charting singles to date.

Personal Favorite:

For my money, “Someone” is probably the most underrated love ballad of his career, and that’s saying a lot.

4) Jamie Cullum (1979-present)

How You May Know Him:

If you have a penchant for modern jazz, you may be familiar with Jamie Cullum. If not, then you definitely should be. After breaking through in 2004 with his second album Twentysomething, Cullum has slowly but steadily developed a worldwide fan base with each subsequent release. He has even worked with Hollywood heavyweight Clint Eastwood on the title songs for the films Grace Is Gone and Gran Torino and has contributed music to the soundtracks for Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and Disney’s Meet the Robinsons.

How I Became a Fan:

Much like many of you, I had no clue who Jamie Cullum was… until 2006, that is. A good friend of mine – who is far more into discovering new artists that even I am – had heard that Cullum was coming to town for a concert. He played me a song, and while I wasn’t immediately stricken with Cullum fever just yet, the tune he played for me (a cover of Pharrell Williams’ “Frontin’”) was intriguing enough that I expressed interest in going to the show. However, I wasn’t prepared for the sheer virtuosity of Cullum’s energetic, charismatic performance. Literally climbing on seats at one point, the man plays piano, drums and guitar, and his passion for music is incredibly infectious. Needless to say, I was hooked.

Why His Music Resonates With Me:

Some artists are torn between paying tribute to the past (see #3 on this list) and blazing their own trail, but Cullum somehow does both. Each of his albums features a number of covers of artists as diverse as Cole Porter, Radiohead, Natalie Cole, Rihanna and Jimi Hendrix. However, Cullum totally makes these songs his own, transforming even the most antiquated tune into something fresh and ready-made for the current generation. In addition, his original songs – which comprise about half of each album – are even more connected to the modern world, often dealing with the search for love and the emergence of nostalgia. Check out “Get Your Way” and “Photograph,” respectively, for two fine examples.

Signature Work:

Since Cullum is relatively unknown in the U.S., it’s hard to say what American listeners would recognize, but “All at Sea” and “These are the Days” – both from his sophomore release – are among his most-performed songs.

Personal Favorite:

“Twentysomething” – in more ways than one – is the theme song to my mid-20s, embodying the confusion, frustration and even the joys that come with self-discovery. “It’s About Time” is also up there, as far as relatability.

3) Michael Bublé (1975-present)

How You May Know Him:

Launching onto the scene in 2003 with a dynamite update of the classic tune “Sway,” Canadian crooner Michael Bublé might not be the most mainstream pop artist on this list. After all, his entire catalog is comprised almost exclusively of covers of standard songs from as early as the 1940s, but original hit singles like “Everything” and “Home” helped him break through to adult contemporary radio and expand his fanbase. In addition, his best-selling 2011 holiday album and his incessantly packed concert tours signify that his profile is on the rise.

How I Became a Fan:

Some of you may regard Bublé as nothing more than a bland, suited white guy singing old songs, and truth be told, I used to agree. I too found his music too old-fashioned, too slow and lacking in anything real and tangible that I could connect to. That all changed when he released the first single from his Crazy Love album. Entitled “Haven’t Met You Yet,” the song is told from the perspective of a young man who has grown somewhat disillusioned with his search for love. Yet, despite his doubts to the contrary, he perseveres in his hope that his dream woman is out there somewhere. Needless to say, my own struggles with the dating scene caused me to relate, and it remains one of my all-time favorite songs.

Why His Music Resonates With Me:

Aside from the above, Bublé’s music is understandably old-fashioned in its sincerity, blatant in its sentiment and confident in its relevance. The same could be said of me. I’ve always considered myself to be something of an old soul, uncommonly perceptive and naturally able to cut through all the superficialities of a situation or an individual. Much like Bublé’s career involves a young man singing music that predates his existence (in a style many consider extinct, no less), I have often felt like a man out of time. So, why wouldn’t I want to belt out “Cry Me a River” or “Save the Last Dance for Me”?

Signature Work:

Much to my delight, “Haven’t Met You Yet” is his highest-charting single in the United States.

Personal Favorite:

Besides the song that started it all, nothing pumps me up more than jamming out to Bublé’s rendition of “Feeling Good” with the windows down and the stereo up.

2) Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

How You May Know Him:

The better question is… is there any way you don’t know him? “Thriller.” “Billie Jean.” The Moonwalk. If none of these words ring a bell, you seriously need to stop reading this and get educated.

How I Became a Fan:

This is a tricky one because I can’t remember a time I wasn’t a fan. Legend has it that I pleaded with my mother to play “Beat It” even when I was a toddler. Come to think of it, there’s an excellent chance I emerged from the womb already wearing a sequined glove. Over the years, my love and appreciation of the King of Pop’s music has grown considerably. A true entertainer through and through, Jackson was truly one of a kind and impacted my childhood and adolescence as no other celebrity ever has.

Why His Music Resonates With Me:

Regardless of your thoughts of all the controversy Michael Jackson faced during his life, his music has remained steady in promoting environmental issues, protecting our children, embracing love and criticizing hate and disrespect (including – in MJ’s case – invasion of privacy). In addition to all of that, his solo catalog (not to mention his incredible work as the frontman for The Jackson 5, later known simply as The Jacksons) features countless classic dance tunes and beautiful, heartfelt love ballads. From rock to soul, pop to disco, Michael touched on them all, making his music truly applicable to everyone and remarkably timeless.

Signature Work:

Basically every track on Thriller.

Personal Favorite:

When it comes to MJ, you really can’t go wrong, but up-tempo jams like “The Way You Make Me Feel” and “Remember the Time” are rarely ever skipped on my iPod. Ditto for slower anthems like “Human Nature” and “Man in the Mirror.”

1) Stevie Wonder (1950-present)

How You May Know Him:

Blind from birth, Stevie Wonder emerged on the scene in the 1960s as one of the prodigies of the Motown era (he plays both piano and harmonica like a boss). His career peaked in the 1970s with albums like Songs in the Key of Life and Innervisions. These led to chart-topping songs like “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Higher Ground” and “I Wish,” which soon established him as one of the pre-eminent names in soul music. Since then, he’s continued to record, with the Grammy-winning 2005 album A Time to Love as his most recent release. Stevie Wonder remains a living legend and one of the most acclaimed and best-selling musical artists of all time.

How I Became a Fan:

At first, I neglected my two-disc Stevie Wonder compilation, only ever really listening to the tracks that I knew from my childhood. Songs like “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and “Sir Duke” are, of course, classics in their own right, and for my teenage self, this was enough for me to consider myself a fan, though not to the extent I would eventually become. It wasn’t until years later that I finally gave his lesser-known tracks a listen and had matured enough to really connect with the deeper messages inherent in his lyrics and melody, ultimately using his tunes as the primary inspiration for my creative writing.

Why His Music Resonates With Me:

Most of Stevie’s best work (not his overly radio-friendly tracks like “Superstition” and “Part-Time Lover”) delves into the world of unconditional love, nostalgia, dreams and hope. These themes are all brimming with positivity and the yearning for a better tomorrow, on both a personal and global scale. Like his fellow Motown-era geniuses – such as the late great Marvin Gaye and #2 on this very list – Stevie uses his music to entertain as well as inspire. That’s the very definition of art.

Signature Work:

I don’t care who you are. You will instantly recognize the intro to “Superstition.”

Personal Favorite:

“Overjoyed.” So simple, elegant and heartfelt. In that way, it’s a microcosm of his catalog as a whole.

However you might feel about these particular artists, I’m sure that some artist, band or composer has managed to grasp your soul and affect your life in the same way that these fellows have mine. Feel free to share your own Top 5 in the comments section, as I’d love to hear more about your musical taste and the stories tied into it.

And stay tuned for a future edition of Art of My Heart, in which I will discuss the films responsible for turning me into a film fanatic.

-Rob

The War on Sorrow

May 19, 2012

"The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what's important."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

It's a telling and sad truth that our society seems to have been designed to anesthetize us from emotional pain.

Think about it for a second. Every song on the radio encourages us to get wasted up in the club, engage in casual sex and generally keep ourselves physically close but emotionally distant from those around us. Meanwhile, films and TV shows are also mostly superficial, derivative fluff - firmly rooted in the escapism of sci-fi and fantasy too - that rings lack any semblance of reality and real, tangible truth.

Even on the rare occasion that the popular arts attempt to touch on sentimentality, it's done in such a glossed-over, saccharine manner that it's difficult for the already-guarded population to relate to.

If women get sentimental and emotional, our collective default response is some jackass comment about hormones, and if a man shows the slightest inclination of emotional sensitivity or genuine compassion, he's branded a "sissy" by this inept male-driven society we live in.

As one of the aforementioned sensitive guys, I've encountered this attitude time and time again over the course of my life, to the point where I deluded myself into being shameful of the fact that I'm more attuned to the emotional, artistic and creative side of life than most.

Part of that is because I somehow managed to retain a remnant of that childlike sense of appreciation and enthusiasm that most of us eventually outgrow, replacing our joy and purity of spirit with stress, doubt and guilt. Whereas most people see life negatively and have acquired a cynical view of their circumstances, I have tried to imbue mine with a sense of fun, silliness and optimism, albeit tempered with a sometimes self-deprecating realistic stance that keeps me from becoming one of those "head in the clouds" types.

Not that I don't have my off days, mind you, but I try not to take things too seriously, to remember the little things and keep my life in perspective, the good and the bad parts of it (because really it all helps to shape who we are and who we will be tomorrow).

Yet, today's obsession with technology has caused everyone to be constantly flooded with information non-stop. There's no chance to breath, to think, to actually stop everything for a moment to reflect on the life that's passing you by. Every facet of life is so intent on delivering instant gratification. Just a couple clicks on the World Wide Web (which you can now fit in your pocket, thanks to the invention of smart phones) and anything you need is right at your fingertips.

This is leading us to lose that self-awareness of ourselves, our loved ones and the world around us. How can we take the time to see our lives - really SEE our lives - if we're constantly drowning in a flood of responsibilities, negative emotion and the relentless swarm of our despicably fame-centric culture?

We can't. We don't have time to "stop and smell the roses," to consider all the beauty in the world and, most important of all, to react to it all. As sad as it may sound, people today don't even allow themselves to feel, and the world around us, with its Kardashians, its Ke$has, its mindless mission to remove any genuine emotion from life, isn't helping one bit.

I shudder to think of the next generation of kids, eyes glued not to the television as my generation was (although that was bad enough... see my previous rant about television) but stuck on the Internet, a world where entertainment never sleeps... making "friends" with random strangers on Facebook... listening to a mind-numbing, sex-obsessed tune by Pitbull and watching a film wherein anonymous characters battle each other in a valiant (but ultimately shallow) effort to save the world.

The world... as I see it... isn't being saved. The values, morals and artistry of our race is slowly dying. Never mind global warming and the potential environmental threats that others may be discussing. The best, most admirable quality of the human race is its ability to feel, the realization that you've found someone who truly understands you, the weight of loss when someone you love is stolen away by disease and the flood of joy when your child is born.

I've experienced all but that last one. And I can honestly say that I consider myself one of the lucky ones for not necessarily having these events in my life (because I would never wish the death of a loved one on anyone) but for being able to feel these unforgettable moments, even the sad ones.

Because our grief and sorrow are what help to put the wonder of life in perspective. Without feeling both sides, there's no way for a human being to ever truly be complete, and today's crop of individuals have become so used to being on-the-go, having their culture spoon-fed to them, being disappointed by the way their lives have turned out... that they don't even dare to dream anymore. They don't even get sad about it. They just are.

"Survival of the fittest" may have been Charles Darwin's claim to fame, but nowadays, that's become our only focus. It's not life, so much the quality of it, that concerns me. For, if we never feel joy, passion and love, what the hell is the point?

I'm sure my message will fall mostly on deaf ears. Chances are, only a handful of people will even consider my words carefully. But that's really not my concern. All I can do is live my life, share my perspective with the world and do the best I can to enrich the lives of the people I care about. If I manage this, at least I can go on, even in a society that has become more and more obnoxious as the years go by, knowing that I lived my life and chose not to sleepwalk through it.

-Rob

Innocence Lost

April 25, 2012
"Maturity is a high price to pay for growing up."
-Tom Stoppard

Most people undergo a maturing rite of passage during their teenage years, but for me, the definitive event of my adolescence arrived 10 days before my 13th birthday: the death of my grandmother to cancer.

Up until that day, I was convinced that she would recover, that the world was far too bright a place to let such an unspeakable tragedy befall such an open-hearted and generous soul as my Nana. Sadly, my innocent mind was mistaken.

Just days prior to her passing, my parents, my brother and I boarded a plane and headed to New York City. My grandmother’s condition had worsened, and my mom – on the verge of seeing her only remaining parent slip away – knew that she had to be there to say her goodbyes and be with her sister. Meanwhile, my dad did his best to support my mom, and my brother – only four years old at the time – was blissfully unaware of what was going on.

But me… Well, I understood what was happening, but for some reason, I remained relatively unfazed by the sheer horror of it all. I figured that – even though things looked bad now – it would all work itself out in the end. After all, my grandmother had beaten cancer three years earlier, and though it was a torturous time for the family and things had never been quite the same, my naïve disbelief in the darkness that life can bring emerged unscathed.

Those next few days remain the most surreal and haunting of my life. Seeing for the first time just how physically decrepit the disease had made her. Bursting into tears talking with my dad during the wake. Pleading with God for Him to spare her life. Little by little, the realization began to sink in that this was indeed really happening. These are moments I shall never forget, ones that continue to plague me and which played a critical role in ending my childhood.

Despite the fact that I was not personally afflicted with the mysterious, destructive force that is cancer, its role in my grandmother’s death has proven a constant reminder of just how vital our loved ones are and how fleeting life can be, marked as it is with equal helpings of both bliss and sadness. For an entire decade, my childlike spirit and brazen confidence was largely absent, replaced with a deep-seated inability to achieve happiness and a sub-conscious desire to emotionally guard myself from ever feeling similar pain. It wasn’t until my mid-20s that I began to truly face the damage that was done that day and find my way back into the light.

To this day, I still think about Nana, the unshakeable bond we shared and the massive crater in my heart that her absence left me. I sometimes find myself reliving the events that now transpired over 15 years ago and wonder what she would think of the man I’ve become. I think how her relationship with my brother would have developed, how she’ll never meet my beautiful girlfriend or the kids I hope to have with her someday.

Then, I catch myself and realize that it’s of little use to dwell on the tragedies of the past. What we must do instead is focus on the joy our lost loved ones brought to our lives and put our grief to positive use. No good can come from holding on to that hurt. Negative emotions – whether anger, jealousy or even sorrow – will only serve to consume your soul and corrupt your present.

For, while my loss has irrevocably changed who I am and how I see the world, mine is sadly far from the only story left in the disastrous wake of cancer’s grasp. Entire libraries could be filled with all the heart-wrenching tales – both tragic and victorious – of the lives directly and indirectly touched by this disease. And, in every one of these experiences, a lesson is to be learned.

In my case, my family’s history with cancer has instilled in me an inner strength and the knowledge that nothing lasts forever. Every moment counts. All we can do is fight for what we believe in while we’re here and never fail to let our loved ones know much they matter. It’s what Nana would have wanted.

Television: A Diatribe

February 5, 2012
"I must say I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a good book."

-Groucho Marx

Far from the truth?

Most people are shocked and/or dismayed when they discover that I don't have cable television, as if somehow my life is devoid of some essential substantive matter. A hole that can only be filled by weekly devotion spending hour after hour in front of the boob tube.

Or maybe they think that I must be SO strapped for cash that I can't even spare the necessary funds to gain access to this magical land of reality shows, paint-by-number dramas and dreadfully hackneyed sitcoms.

In reality, neither of the above is the case. In fact, I simply have no interest in television as a medium and decided that the extra expense was more wasteful than not.

No offense to those of you who live and die by your TV Guide, but compared to the melodic orchestrations and structured nuances provided by music and film, respectively, television is a meandering, often inconsistent and artistically unsatisfying form of entertainment.

More than that, it's one that requires a long-term commitment, an unspoken oath to keep up with the weekly developments in order to stay informed with the narrative. In doing so, it robs the common man of his productivity and discourages social contact.

Rather than finally wrapping up those long-overdue chores or spending some quality time with the kiddies, Mom and Dad just have to know what the CSI crew is up to. No more staying close through conversation and relating to one another. Nowadays, families spend their shared time (even during dinner) with their television.

People are more likely to stay in (yes, even with DVR at their disposal) and less likely to foster their own ambition. As a writer, I, for one, have fallen prey to the instant gratification that television provides. Sitting like a lump on the sofa and flipping channels takes so much less effort than actually accomplishing something. So I understand the appeal to the masses, most of whom are entirely content with never striving for more, whether this means starting your own business or finding a more stimulating hobby.

Also, despite the fact that a handful of series possess well-crafted, intelligent storytelling, most television programs strike me as fairly formulaic and simple, dumbed-down as it is to appeal to the broadest possible audience. They're more focused on selling products during commercial breaks and seducing audiences with cheap thrills.

There's little real, honest or tangible about television shows and certainly no storytelling as high-level or emotionally raw as some of the film work out there, which accomplishes a greater feat in a shorter timespan. When it comes to visual entertainment, it seems less truly is more.

Since the advent of reality television, the overall quality has plummeted drastically, making it easier and easier to switch off the television. I'll always have a soft spot for a handful of past shows (Seinfeld, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) and will continue following up with the few current shows I do follow online (Family Guy, Glee, How I Met Your Mother). Hell, I'll even keep watching those short-term overlooked gems I've come to love (Arrested Development, Flight of the Conchords, Freaks and Geeks) on DVD or Netflix.

Again, my intention is not to insult those of you who preciously cling to your weekly dose of Real Housewives to get through the work week. But, as a critic of popular culture and artist at heart, I have become increasingly exasperated and disappointed with how television has developed since back in its "Must See TV" heyday.

In my opinion, the very nature of television as a medium is to transform smart Americans into devotees of whatever shallow, unoriginal shows they can dredge up, many of which corrupt the lifeviews and perspectives of today's youth in the process. There's little opportunity for viewers to grow emotionally or mentally, as they should with great art... just the chance to waste hours turning into the equivalent of modern zombies.

Anatomy of a Romance

November 21, 2011

"Consider how hard it is to change yourself, and you'll understand what little chance you'll have in changing someone else."

-- Benjamin Franklin

I’ve never pretended to be an expert on relationships. As a matter of fact, I used to feel like I didn’t have the first clue about what constitutes a healthy, stable relationship. That is, until I realized that my accute sense of observation and above-average proclivity for finding the fair and logical in everything have helped me formulate a solid grasp on exactly how the joining together of two people should be.

However, not every relationship is created equal. As I see it (and you may disagree), there are only three forms of relationships. Sure, you may think that your relationship has qualities of multiple types and, quite likely, it does exhibit tendencies of all of the below, but at its heart, every relationship embodies only one of these three categories.

I have witnessed examples of them all so read on and take a close, honest look for yourself.

1) Parasitic Relationships –

If the name of this type calls to mind those organisms that feed off of another in order to survive, give yourself a pat on the back and thank your high school science teacher. Parasitic relationships are just that.

A parasitic relationship always has a host and a victim. The trouble is that, sometimes, the victim is so enraptured with his or her partner and so willing to make a concerted effort to make the relationship work that they don’t even realize the relationship’s true nature until it falls apart. Sadly enough, this revelation could even take years to be fully realized.

These are those unions in which one person – often through duplicitous and under-handed means – exploits the other person’s feelings for him or her, subtly taking advantage or even belittling their beloved. This also can involve a situation where one person bears the full brunt of expenses as well as household chores, for those of you who are in serious relationships.

Don’t get me wrong, there is usually some level of affection and love involved in these relationships. It’s just that the dynamic between the two partners gets murkier and murkier as it goes on, with insecurity, a crippling fear of loneliness and other unresolved emotional issues preventing parasitic couples from truly reaching the self-actualization that can only be found with a equal, balanced and healthy realtionship.

2) Disparate Relationships –

One thing can be said with absolute certainty. Disparate relationships are a surefire way to avoid the single-partner domination indicative of a parasitic relationship. So, those of you who relate to this section at least have that on your side.

The catch, of course, is that disparate relationships are – in many ways – hardly relationships at all. In this scenario, the couple spends a great deal of time apart, to the point where they begin to grow both physically and emotionally distant. A typical situation would see one partner going out with friends on a Friday night, while the other stays at home surfing the net or catching up on some reading.

While a certain degree of separation and independence is a necessity for a relationship to go the distance, it’s becomes problematic when it becomes the norm. For this reason, many couples designate specific “date nights” to ensure that the spark in their love life remains fully alight for the duration.

Besides, if you’re in a relationship, you should be anxious to spend the majority of your time with your beloved. Otherwise, if you’re constantly looking for excuses to do your own thing or unwilling to put forth the effort to accompany your partner for a night on the town, you’re probably better off searching for a partner whose interests and priorities are more aligned to your own.

3) Symbiotic Relationships –

Time for the last of our three relationship types, and if you surmised that this is the one you should be striving for, kudos to you!

A symbiotic relationship – in short – is one in which both partners (not one or neither, as in the previous types, respectively) are equally committed to making things work. There is a more balanced divison of responsibilities, wherein neither partner is slighted, and rather than tearing each other down or largely ignoring each other, symbiotic partners feed off of each other.

When one is down, the other picks his or her partner up. They encourage each other to grow emotionally, professionally and spiritually, supporting each other and truly believing in their ability to pursue and achieve their goals.

If there are issues to discuss, symbiotic partners address them like adults, without yelling, name-calling or emotional attacks. They are lovers, confidantes and each other’s best friends.

Final Thoughts:

Cynics would have you believe that symbiotic relationships are nothing more than a fairy tale, that the single and lonely should be thanking their lucky stars just to be with someone, regardless of the relationship’s flaws and copious red flags. But I am here to tell you, right here and now, that that is bullshit.

As someone who has been perpetually single in the past, I spent years contemplating if I should settle for someone who was less than an ideal match for me, lest I end up alone completely. Luckily, my self-doubt and wavering self-confidence never reached that unfortunate nadir because, in my heart, I knew I deserved better.

Even though I had no logical reason to believe that I would be blessed with a symbiotic relationship, I had faith that the possibility still existed and that one day, all my years of patience and solitude would lead me down the right path.

So, for those of you who feel that you’re stuck in a parasitic or disparate relationship, have the courage to seek what you truly deserve. On some level – however indistinct it might be – people in these relationships can sense when a relationship is not meant to be. If this is you, be strong and find someone with whom you can share a symbiotic relationship. You’re worth it.

And for those of you, like me, who are blessed enough to find yourself in a symbiotic relationship, never forget to appreciate what you have and remember just how rare an auspicious coupling such as yours is in this crazy world.

After all, tis the season to give thanks.