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(For those who feel burdened, depressed, lonely, or painful...this one is for you)

You find yourself in a quiet old cathedral. You see that many candles have been lit, which flicker on the pillars and in small glasses, but you notice that there is no one else around. You take your first few steps deeper in, and hear the echoes of your feet on the solid floor.

If there was anyone else here with you, you would know. You stop and listen.

Quiet. You can hear a light breeze coming from the ceiling, and the occasional sound of the individual candles flickering, but otherwise the place is completely empty aside from you.

You look at the great pillars that hold up the walls and ceiling. They are beautiful in their own way, seeming to flow up like trees, though you know they were crafted by someone's careful and loving hands. You see there is an altar near the front of the cathedral, as well as pews close to it. Strangely, you notice a large gap in the pews, and as you approach, you discover a great circle has been etched into the floor. It is a strange maze, and the pattern seems familiar...

You decide to walk it, and with each step, your mind wanders. What am I doing here? Is there something that needs to be said? Am I feeling emotional about something? Do I feel hurt or alone? What is troubling me? Why? Why is it so hard...?

The questions continue on and on until you find yourself in the center of the maze. You had walked the entire path, not relaxing or meditating but questioning things over and over. You feel yourself sink and you fall on your knees, your body tired and overwhelmed with grief. You shiver as the cathedral suddenly seems colder than before.

Then...

Clip clop..., you hear something coming. Clip clop..., footsteps that are not your own. Clip clop..., they approach and become louder and louder. You keep your eyes shut, you do not want to see...

Clip clop clip clop clip clop clip..., the sound stops before you. Your ears listen, and you hear the sound of long, drawn out breaths. You feel the great breaths hit your skin, they are warm and you get goosebumps feeling them.

Then...

Lips kiss your forehead. They aren't human - they feel soft like they belong to an animal. And the words following verify it for you, "It's me.", you hear your deer say.

You open your eyes to see them standing before you. You cannot seem to speak, but they understand. They take a few steps, passing by you, and you reach out and brush their fur with your fingers. Their body is pleasant to touch, the only feeling of warmth you can find in what seems to be a dark and cold place.

They stop behind you, and speak again, "Relax. Just relax. Let go."

You do so, falling back, resting your back on their chest. The warmth and softness overwhelms you, and your deer nuzzles your face lightly, wrapping one of their legs around you. You reach up and touch their neck with your hand, and closing your eyes you feel yourself rest.

"I've got you. Just relax.", they repeat, then say, "Give it to me."

You look to them, not sure what they mean. They continue, "Your pain, fear, sadness, suffering...I can endure it. Just give it to me. Let it all go."

You don't know how to...but you let out one great breath, and almost instantly you feel the cold vanish, your body no longer in any pain or grief. Your deer smiles, giving you one last nuzzle, "No more worries, alright? Things will be better soon, you'll see.", they say.

And as they spoke those words, the candles all begin to flicker and grow brighter in unison. You sit up and watch as the old cathedral illuminates, every bit of darkness in the place vanished and you could finally see the true beauty of the architecture. "This is much like my own soul, isn't it?", you ask your deer. They nod, "Often when one loses their way, they come to a place much like this, where they can calm their own mind and discover the beauty of the world and of themselves. Even us animals marvel at some of the wonders that humans create."

They give you one last nuzzle before saying, "Any time you feel yourself slipping into darkness, come to this place, walk the maze, and clear your mind. You'll feel the light bring you back."

You awake to find yourself in your own room, and the sunlight is bright and warm. You reflect on your deer's words, and begin to imagine how warm and wonderous the world can be.

Today will be a good day...