Poesia: Bearing My Soul with Each Passing Sunset

Follow the author’s journey from a young woman in love to an adult who has experienced life in remarkable melodic ways. From new beginnings and fateful encounters while listening to God’s whispers and loving with my soul on the run, then to life and family with kindred spirits, to a menagerie of thoughts, and finally, to self-awareness and freeing my spirit. If we learn to cherish the present moment and live without fear, we can fully enjoy our daily lives. Sure, we all have our “down” moments due to how we have been raised, the experiences we encounter, and our general biological make-up, yet keeping our hearts open and grasping life by the horns is the key to our happiness. A student once asked the master, “How can I become free of the world?” The reply: “Love the world and everything in it.” But the challenge is how do we do this and handle this apparent paradox? By allowing and accepting what is. Worldly possessions and accomplishments will only bring short-term fulfillment when our lives are not rooted in the unified, manifested source of life itself, or what E. Tolle calls the “formless dimension.” He explains that by discovering who we are in our most essential nature, we naturally begin to transform the world even as we transcend it.

Dr. Mascorro’s labor of love allowed her to realize that having had a strong foundation in a higher power (God) has helped her along life’s journey. The Bible does tell us that for the believer, nothing happens outside God’s control–and yes, if we know Christ, His angels continually watch over us. The Bible says that God “will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11). It also teaches that the angels–although largely unseen–watch over us and work for our good. The Bible says, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14).
If we continuously practice awareness, life comes full circle, leading us back to our self-awareness. We will find that we are much more alike than we are different. Perhaps you will see yourself in the author’s words and/or tap into your path unfolding melodically. Finally, realizing that the wisdom we seek is usually within us is essential. The real journey is where we know we are all ONE. Life is the greatest gift we have been given. When we surrender to the Universe, limitless possibilities arise. Surrender to this infinite love. The Universe will protect you. Feel every moment, embrace every moment, and never, ever stop questioning who you are.

No Shame in Being Me: Jeremy and Paulo’s Love Story:

It is a gripping and emotional tale of a young boy’s struggle with his identity and love for his best friend. Jeremy, a famous high school quarterback, has been brought up by his Christian parents, and their values have always been ingrained in him. But when he realizes he is falling in love with Paolo, a handsome Brazilian boy who moved to California, he finds himself at a crossroads.

Their friendship is cut short when Paolo abruptly ends it, leaving Jeremy devastated and alone. The ridicule and jeering from his peers only worsen matters, and Jeremy decides to take drastic action. But fate has other plans for him, and he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that will change his life forever.

Through dreams, apparitions, and the support of his best friend Kent, Jeremy slowly begins to understand that love is love, regardless of gender. As he learns to accept himself and his feelings for Paolo, their friendship and love begin to blossom again. But will they overcome the hurdles that stand in their way?

With a powerful message of hope and acceptance, No Shame in Being Me: Jeremy and Paulo’s Love Story is a must-read for anyone struggling to come to terms with their identity and the love they feel for someone society may not deem “acceptable.” This heartwarming LGBTQ teen romance will tug at your heartstrings and leave you rooting for Jeremy and Paolo until the end.

*** Brief yet crucial mental health and suicidal ideation statistics on LGBTQ teens (and strategies for parents) are offered to the reader in the Afterword.