The Seven Houses of Sin

Men are quick to believe what is already true in their minds. I stood in front of the mirror in a hotel room thinking these words to myself. I often forget that other people struggle with their own problems because I am so wrapped up in my own, living in sin. People only see what you expose.

It’s hard to believe that 30 years of my life has been wasted on all the wrong things. I kept thinking to myself and pacing the floor, back and forth across the mirror, when I stubbed my toe on the dresser and fell. On the way down, of course, I hit my head. The pain had me frozen on the floor. Not moving a muscle, grasping tightly to my head and my toe to alleviate the pain.

After a few minutes of being a vegetable on the floor, I got up and decided to walk it off. It was time for me to check out of the hotel, so I packed my bags and headed for the door. I stepped outside of my room and began walking down the hall.

It was a change of environment, to say the least. All I could see before me was a long stretch of hallway with various doors that without a doubt, I felt compelled to enter, for whatever reason. I took my bags with me and headed to the first door. The closer I got to it, a light blue light appeared around the frame. I stood before it without feeling compelled to knock. I slowly opened it and peeked my head in. It was a lounge room. Somehow, I was expecting more. Several people sat in lazy boy recliners and as strange as it seemed, instead of sitting in an empty chair, I surveillanced the area by walking around the perimeter and staring at everyone in their chairs.

I wasn’t enthralled with that room enough to stay. So, after I completed my walk-around, I left the room, made sure I had all of my luggage, and closed the door behind me.

I still had six more rooms ahead of me. The one that caught my eye was a red room, but a green lit door came first, so I entered the green lit room. I walked in to a room that caught me off guard, filled with young girls checking their makeup in a compact mirror, and reading celebrity magazines. These were clearly females who wanted to be famous. As I was headed for the door, someone asked me if I was interested in being like the girls on the cover of the fashion magazine. I never replied, as tempting as it seemed, I walked out of the room and headed for the next door.

I was aggravated…wondering if I was wasting my time. However, the compelling nature of these doors lead me to continue.

Next was a yellow lit door. It was loud before I even opened it. I heard people yelling and fighting each other. Apprehensive to continue, I opened the door and saw a room full of money and men on their bellies diving for cash. With just a peek into the room, I closed the door.

Next was a dark blue lit door. I walked in, and to my surprise, I saw my family sitting there. Exotic dancers surrounded them as they glared in disgust. Newly coming out to my family as a lesbian, I was nervous for them to see me, however, I couldn’t take my eyes off of the women dancing. I was so taken by them that I accidentally left one of my bags behind when I exited the room.

I went to an orange lit room next. I opened the door without caution due to the silence. I heard nothing at first. When I opened the door, I saw large obese men and women eating like they had never had a bite to eat. Burger, fries, pasta, meatloaf, potatoes…it made me nauseated watching them eat as if they were in a contest with one another. I quickly left.

A violet lit room was next. Still eying the red lit door, and aggravated that I had even started this journey out of my undying curiosity. I opened the door to see political speakers, seemingly knowing everything about everything. Their facts sounded like lies to me, however, I listened to them speak briefly. After hearing so much hogwash, I closed the door and went on, now more aggravated than ever.

Finally, the red door. Should I enter? Or just call it quits..? Heck, I made it this far so I may as well finish what I started. So, without hesitation, I opened the red lit door, eager to get this over with. People were yelling at each other and sheer anger came from their core. With the mood I was in, I stayed a while and struck up an angry conversation. It made me feel some better until the guy behind me hit me over the head with a large suitcase.

As I awoke, I looked at my surroundings. I was still in my hotel room…looking at a bloody toe and feeling a large knot on my forehead. It all seemed so real.

I am lustful and angry. Men are quick to believe what is already true in their minds.

Forgive me father, for I have sinned.