Heaven Awaits

The following is an excerpt from Part Two:

Mercury retrograde is a familiar astrological phrase. It refers to a period when Mercury appears to be traveling backwards on its orbit. That is not actually the case, of course. The illusion is created because it travels its ellipse disproportionately to its neighboring planets. Mercury retrogrades typically occur for three-week periods on three occasions during the year. They are associated with confusion and disruption. Since Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo, these two Sun signs are typically considered the hardest hit. Nevertheless, no one escapes the influence.

Coincidentally, Sid and I are both under Mercury’s rule. The timing of our births has us singled out. The sexual preference with which we come into this world categorizes us as well. Everyone, nonetheless, has his own particular set of characteristics. Some persons are born male, others female. Some people are short, others not. Some have curls, still others cannot get a curl to stick with crazy glue. The array of skin tones is more spectacular than the spectrum displayed after a rainstorm. It is all as wonderful as can be. Often, we choose not to see it that way. We have been domesticated by our “guides,” but we can choose to take on a different view.

Acceptance is the answer. Acceptance of self and of others, the way we are. Not the way Simon says we should be. Love is at the foundation. Kindness is at the helm. Joy is the rainbow of fulfillment. The Mastery of Love (Reprinted with permission of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.© 2002 by Miguel Angel Ruiz, M.D.) insightfully reveals an indisputable notion:

Truth, forgiveness and self-love…with these three points, the whole world will heal and will no longer be a mental hospital. We don’t have to suffer any longer…if all humans could be truthful with themselves, start forgiving everyone, and start loving everyone…they would no longer judge each other.

This was my greatest prison revelation: “Remember, when you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself as someone who needs to judge.” (From The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer). Heaven or hell. The choice is ours.