share the love

Dear Soulmate,

There are some days I just want to stay in bed. Yesterday wasn’t one of them.

I ambitiously confronted the icy sidewalks and brisk January air with a new feeling of hope and optimism that I felt had been lost or misplaced for so long. As America witnessed the transition of power yesterday, there seemed to be an apparent change that buzzed around the city streets and those who walked them.

Regardless of your political background, most people will agree that yesterday was all about change.

But there are some things I noticed that remained the same. As the new President danced with the nation’s First Lady, I realized how beautiful it was to strip away all the politics, all the rehearsed speeches, all the mindfully executed entrances and all the official escorts.

As I watched the news coverage unfold, scene by scene, I observed the intense security, the facial expressions of the countless Secret Service members, the police officers in their neatly pressed uniforms.

But what came to mind in the midst of all of this was that there was no security greater than love.

Seeing the President dance with his wife was by far the most natural and unrehearsed of the entire inaugural parade of events. The freqeunt smiles and laughter they exchanged between one another were candid and genuine.

Watching the President and his wife walk down Pennsylvania Avenue together was equally historic and sincere. Time and time again President Obama would reach for Michelle’s hand and together they would walk proudly, waving to the adoring crowds.

It is obvious when people belong together. They glow with a radiance that is difficult to deny. The new President and First Lady are no exception.

As we march on, some hand in hand, others waving with both, it is important to remember that we could hardly go anywhere so confidently without the security of love. It is love afterall, that leads us so fearlessly to fall into it.

Love, R

share the love, your soulmate, your letter

midnight kisses on 1.20.09

Dear Soulmate

Hold the champagne, the midnight kisses and the resolutions. The long anticipated New Year actually begins tomorrow, and I am certain that I will not be the only one to celebrate its arrival.

Although absent of New York’s Times Square ball drop, the evening has the potential to ignite energy and enthusiasm comparable to that of what Boston calls First Night.

There are many parallels between the eve of a new year and the night before President-elect Barack Obama steps into office for the first time. The most obvious of these parallels are the resolutions we cast in what we hope will be a turning point of expectations. Obama’s team has proposed perhaps the greatest resolution of all: change.

If you are like most people you may have already forgotten the champagne-infused resolutions you vowed to follow through with just last January. Somewhere between the changing seasons, annual celebrations and the daily rhythm of life, these promises get broken or simply lost in the shuffle of higher priorities.

But it would be difficult for Obama to cast aside his resolution of change in this coming year. From the auto industry to desperate investors on Wall Street, the transition of power in the White House has not only triggered hope for a better year but has secured expectations that the new administration will be better than the last.

Democrats and Republicans alike can agree that there is much at stake in issuing such high promises, especially to a national audience.

When the party is over and the inauguration that is expected to attract a record crowd of four million people has finally dispersed, the real challenges begin. The hope that spurs your own personal new year’s resolutions is the similar to the kind responsible for initiating the president’s road map of change. The real test is applying this optimism and hope throughout the year with purpose and intention.

Sounds simple, right? If you are familiar with your own failed resolutions or perhaps remember fictional character Bridget Jones’s annual goal to lose 20lbs, you may identify with the reality of making idealistic goals.

The stakes are undoubtedly high for Obama. The pressure for him to improve upon the previous administration is not the challenge. It’s fulfilling the high expectations already placed on him that will require Obama’s to practice what he preaches.

Whether you celebrated the new year on the first or anticipate its arrival on the 20th, be mindful that many New Year’s resolutions are not achieved in a short period of time. Before casting criticism on Obama’s policies for being all talk and no action, consider the progress of your own personal resolutions. Remember that what you set out to accomplish in 2008 may have even been forgotten as the pages of the calendar turned.

Improving the current state of the nation’s economy is going to take time, possibly more than a four-year presidential term. But the important thing is to remain focused, remain mindful of the resolutions we cast on the eve of Obama’s official arrival into office. Remain mindful of that elusively contagious spirit of optimism that so easily gets forgotten after the celebrations have ended.

As we embark on the new year consider the reality of our ambitions. Remember that change is only good if it is in the right direction, and ‘yes we can’ only sounds convincing when it is followed by ‘yes we did.’

Finally, keep in mind that it’s the attitude with which you approach this new year that will ultimately determine how successful it is. Understand that being idealistic isn’t always implicative of being naive. Being idealistic implies optimism, and there is hardly a better tone to set for a new year and new president’s term in office than being hopeful.

Love, R

p.s. the first letter to a soulmate has made its debut! if you would like to submit your own personal letter or view this week’s letter, please click here: your soulmate, your letter

celebrating change

Dear Soulmate,

Finally the streets of Boston are quiet.  Sunday’s subdued atmosphere has been enhanced by the falling snow that has inconveniently piled itself on the sidewalks outside. I love the way the world silences itself under the weight of snow. But even still, with the world seemingly at bay, there is much to be excited about.

As I neglect to put on my running shoes and jog the snow covered Harbor Walk in my leisurely Sunday routine, I have instead decided to catch up on the inauguration coverage instead.

obama express

And what a spectacular parade of excitement and energy this weekend has been.

But with all the anticipation for Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony, I can’t help but wonder if all this build up is a good thing or a bad thing.

Remember that first date that you went on, where you picked out the most perfect outfit and spend hours getting agonizing over every detail, only to be disappointed? I have always believed in the statement that it is better to expect nothing and be pleasantly surprised.

I have a hunch that even without this four day celebratory parade that American’s would inevitably be more than pleasantly surprised by the transition of power.

But the more I watch the infectious coverage of the inauguration ceremonies, I realize that it is something much greater than concerts and speeches. It is an opportunity for American’s to come together and reflect upon Obama’s campaign promise of “change” and what that means for them.

And so I ask, what does this change mean for you?

Love, R

p.s. the first featured letter to a soulmate will be unveiled on the page “your soulmate, your letter” on monday. i appreciate all the responses!

your soulmate, your letter

2009′s great expectations

Dear Soulmate,

I have decided to write to you today with an “it-list” commentary of some of the wonderful things to look forward to this coming year.

To start things off I will dive head first into two February musical debuts.

The Fray’s self-titled sophomore album expected to debut Feb. 3:

The Fray’s long anticipated self-titled album has already gained momentum with the release of their appropriately named first single “You Found Me.” I have a hunch though that even absent of February’s release that I would not have been the only one to seek out the Fray, whose previous double platinum album of 2005 “How to Save a Life” was featured in movie montages, television shows and is still highly rated on iTunes. With songs titled “Happiness” and “Where the Story Ends,” the Fray’s sophomore album may very well strike the same evocative and heartfelt chords that launched former piano driven ballads like “How to Save a Life” up the Billboard charts. Judging by the emotionally charged first single, expect the same passion-infused lyrics and personal storylines in “The Fray”, a winning formula that has made this band’s second album worth the wait to find them.  

Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl” to be released  Feb. 9:

There is hardly a musician who can orchestrate wistful nostalgia quite like Van Morrison. Nearly four decades since the 1968 debut of Astral Weeks, critically acclaimed as one of the greatest albums of the rock era, Morrison revisits the past in a live recording last November at the Hollywood Bowl. With tracks that resonate with Morrison’s distinguishable soulful voice, the collision of blues, jazz and country make tracks like “Beside You” easy to fall into. The album’s real gem “Sweet Thing” is reminiscent of young love with imagery of rain misted gardens set to a melody of unbridled optimism and fondness. Morrison’s recreation of “Astral Weeks” is expected to arrive in tune with his traditional and distinguishable sound accompanied by sentimental acoustics, proving that good music is timeless.

And of course let’s not forget Hollywood.

He’s Just Not That Into You: Feb. 6:

I can’t think of a better way to bluntly emphasize that he’s just not that into you by translating the bestselling book onto the big screen. The film, expected to debut within poorly timed proximity to Valentine’s Day, takes place in Baltimore. Following themes highlighted in the chapters of Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo’s book, the movie is expected to justify how single women’s excuses like the “maybe he doesn’t want to ruin the friendship” or the ever classic “maybe he’s intimidated by me” translates most simply into he’s just not that into you. So much for the white horse and fairy tale romances that even Hollywood evidently no longer employs. But with a knockout cast starring Jennifer Aniston and Scarlet Johansson, just to name a few, I can’t help but ask- he’s just not that into what? 

New Moon expected release date Nov. 20:

Hesitant to jump on the fast moving science fiction bandwagon, Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight” series has created a cultural frenzy that is difficult to ignore. In what may very well be the biggest grossing movie of the fall, “Twilight’s” sequel is expected to engage the big screen. Alas, the return of the edgy and provocative hero Edward Cullen. Any shamefully hopeless romantic would agree that the way in which Cullen loves the heroine is worthy of a sequel.

And finally- the last thing that is not on the music or movie agenda… great love. Look forward to that this coming year amidst the frenzy of songs and films.

Love, R

i’m just not that into it

Dear Soulmate,

There are so many magazines and articles that are devoted to convincing you against what you try so hard to believe in.

Take articles published in women’s magazines for example that explain why men withdraw from perfectly good relationships. And the reasoning they give? Because men are too into you.

If that’s not confusing enough there are a myriad of publications that exceed the realm of magazines that convince you that “He’s just not that into you” and everything else that comes with that territory.

launches into theatres 2009

But why can’t it just be simple? Why can’t you fall and love and it fits? The more I read about failed relationships and faded love, the easier it becomes to believe it.

Am I the only one who sometimes feels jaded by what people are buying?

I suppose the easiest solution would be to simply ignore reading these books and magazines altogether. But it’s more than just publications. It’s movies, too. It’s an entire culture devoted to relationship how-tos.

But at the end of the day, enough is enough. There are no guidebooks that will tell you if it’s really meant to be. There are no movies that will convince you enough to wait in the pouring rain for that pivotal kiss from your potential soulmate.

No, there’s only right now. There’s only the reality that life is much more unpredictable and complicated than any magazine or movie could attempt to explain. But that’s what makes this crazy journey so spectacular.

I encourage you to live your own life- stay positive and optimistic.  This year belongs to us.

All my love, R

on the edge of 2009

Dear Soulmate,

Alas the mistletoe, champagne, midnight kisses and all other holiday trimmings reminiscent of love have been stored away. Without too much cliche optimism and enthusiasm that annually arrives with the turning of every new year, I still cannot help but feel overwhelmed with a promising feeling that this year will be better than the last.

The turning point of my new year ironically began by a visit to my past. I found myself in Montreal where I reunited with a guy I dated in high school so many years ago. It was the first time I had seen him since our graduation from prep school and I felt like I was seventeen again.

The statement holds true that you often forget what people say but you always remember how they made you feel.

I told my sister so many weeks ago that all I wanted was to feel seventeen again- feeling like I had no responsibilities, no fears and indulging in the simple naivity of being young and restless.

Seeing him again made me feel alive again, in ways I had forgotten. It’s funny how sometimes life has ways of giving you just what you asked for- in ways you could never have expected.

They say you cannot go back, that your past is in the past. They forget to tell you that your past is who you are, where you’ve been, and that visiting it is drastically different than living in it.

I am still the only girl he has sent flowers. I am still the only girl he admits to have treated so well. I am still the only girl who stood in front of him on New Year’s Eve and made him feel the way he did.

As we said goodbye in the early morning hours, I felt that same feeling of longing and urgency that usually arrives when I stand on the edge of loneliness. As he disappeared into the crowd I felt like I was seventeen again, leaving for Boston as he returned home to Montreal.

But as my previous experiences have taught me, you must move on. You cannot stand still in the midst of a crowd and wait for someone or something. Everything will fall into place, and you cannot wonder about the what-ifs and what-could-have-beens. Not now at least.

Not when you’re standing on the edge of 2009.

Love, R

looking up at the stars

Dear Soulmate,

The holidays always seem to linger like the moonlight. On Christmas eve the moon is full. The air is alive with promises and a certain kind of magic that can only be described in the way the snow glitters in the reflection of the falling moonlight. On Christmas night the moon wanes, fading until all the light is lost after New Year’s and the enchantment of the holiday season is gone- carefully stored away.

All that remains are the stars.

Although only in the midst of the holiday season, already I can feel the moon waning. Already I can feel that glimmering optimism of love and laughter- that shines so brilliantly during the holidays, fading. Already I can envision returning to the daily grind and feeling like love has somehow gone astray.

But why does love become so essential and pivotal during the holidays? Shouldn’t we all celebrate love throughout the year with just as much spirit and enthusiasm?

The reality is not that love is simply a season, but that it requires time to truly enjoy it.

It deserves and honorable amount of time to set aside and reflect on it. It often deserves more than what the daily 9 to 5 grind can afford to give.

When you return to your daily routine- your desk in the office, your books at school or wherever your schedule finds you, do not forget about love.

You will often find that as you embark on your next journey in 2009, or perhaps the same journey you have already been traveling on but this time are writing a new chapter in, the spirit of the holidays gets lost. Do not just let annual celebrations like Valentine’s Day remind you of what is really important.

If you are like me, then you have already learned that looking up at the stars are just as spectacular as the full moon.

All my love, R