I don’t claim to be wise. But I have learned a few things in life. I have learned of laughter. I have seen the sun disappear into the western sea of time, only to rise again. I have realized the powerful impact that a smile and a wave can have on someone who needs it. I know of hope.

Beyond all of this I know another world. A world that I rarely speak of. A forest. A forest of my joyless dreams.

Here I take in the somber beauty of all good things that are not to be. All of the sadness which lies ahead. Here I can be alone, away from the world which leaves me overwhelmed. This is the place where I know some sort of desolate peace.

I welcome this place when besieged by anxiety, or feeling alone.

My forest runs deeper still. Beneath the ruins in my mind. A place of sheer evil. Within these boundaries I may lose myself. Perhaps I could surrender to the twisting of my thoughts, the warping of my world view.

This territory is the most dangerous place I have ever known. To be caught here, is to begin to lose myself to the demons which prey on me. To be caught here is to become irrational, to lose sight of the things that matter most. This is where I embrace all things cold, dark, and painful. I try to free myself from the things that keep me afloat, that keep me alive. I am a servant of the darkness.

A wise man I am not. But I know a few things. I know that my life is better spent outside of this forest. I believe that I still have enough heart left in me to be able to appreciate the many good things in life. I try to keep telling myself that I have enough strength to survive here.

Over time it seems the hold that my forest has on me might just be weakening a little, though it can still be a vicious tug-of-war. I am thankful to have you on my side.