She found herself in a dark place… the walls seemed to cave in and the lights were blotted out from the sky. She felt around in the dark. It was cold, and she was sure she was lost. Stuck in one spot with no way to move She always had the worst luck. Always. And her heart began to beat faster as she imagined her prison. She must be underground somewhere. A cave. A horrible place. She felt her blood rise and she was getting thirsty. So thirsty for serenity. Freedom. For those summer days that lasted forever… with their carefree giggles and easy smiles. Thirst. She was thirsty! There must be water here somewhere to drink… but she simply couldn’t see where it was. “I can’t,” she said out loud, and as she said it, it felt like a strap clasped at her wrist. She tripped, trying to escape. “I can’t,” she called out again, and another rope anchored onto her arm. She began to give up, “I can’t, I can’t, I can’t…” and with every subsequent sob, cry and scream the ties multiplied. She looked up, and begged for help from the Universe. as she was sure she couldn’t do this on her own. The Universe replied with the quietest whisper, “You’re not stuck. Look around you.” She slowed her breathing, and her blindfold fell away. She opened her eyes, and watched the sun peek over the mountain behind her, and she remembered that she had been outside all along. Free to leave. Free to change. Oh, what suffering we create, when we allow hopelessness to manifest in our hearts.