Yumeng Week 4: Your Train
Marianne Williamson once said, “If the train doesn’t stop at your station, it’s not your train.” However, before this quote, I actually first heard a variation of this saying with similar meanings on TikTok: “The right train won’t pass you by,” in a big yellow TikTok Sans text over backgrounds of either the big city or a departing train. That saying doesn’t have one known author, but that’s the phrase that has stuck with me the longest.
It’s easy to be drowned in negative thoughts—to spend late nights doubting your capabilities, to spend hours adjusting yourself and your speech to fit in, to stare teary eyed at a rejection email, and to ponder what “could have been” if things were done differently. In the midst of life, it’s truly hard trying to not get caught up in the current. So, whenever I’m sad about something, I remind myself that maybe the “something” I was so upset over, was not meant for me. Maybe—just maybe—the lost friendships, the missed opportunities and the unsaid words were to help us grow, mature and improve.
One example I really like is from one of my favorite shoujo anime, Ao Haru Ride, or in English, Blue Spring Ride. Futaba, the female protagonist, is in a dilemma, as her friend recently developed feelings for her childhood crush, Kou. While she wants the best for her friend and wants to give up Kou for her, she still loves him immensely (spoilers may be ahead!).
The specific scene takes place in a train station, as Futaba and Kou run towards the last departing train after their class representative duties; however, instead of directly stepping onto the train, Futaba, deeply troubled by her feelings, fabricates a lie to stay behind and decides that, “If he doesn't get off the train, [she’ll] give up on him. But if he gets off, [she’ll] love him.” In the end, Kou missed the train for Futaba, and this served as the pivotal moment where Futaba decided that she wouldn’t hold back her fondness for him anymore.
More than a silly romance, this scene demonstrated that what is meant to be will always stay that way—just like how Futaba’s feelings will always remain, Kou’s subtle affection towards her remains unchanging throughout the story—trying to submerge herself in her emotions was not benefitting her friend, Kou, or herself.
What I am trying to say is, fight for what you believe in—conversely, if it doesn’t work out, don’t be afraid to let it go. I can’t tell you exactly what you should do, because you know best, and you have to trust in your decisions. I won’t tell you how you should feel, because you are entitled to feel all your emotions—fear, bitterness, fury and more—but never let it consume you. And maybe if you give it some time, you’ll find a new meaning—you’ll find your train.
Hello Yumeng! I find your quote “the right train won’t pass you by,” especially as a busy high schooler who constantly has to worry about making decisions and missing opportunities. I distinctly remember hearing you mention it in your “I Believe” poem that we wrote in the beginning of the year, as you shared it out loud to the class. It really stuck with me, because the night before, I had stayed up late due to the overwhelming feeling that I was falling behind all my peers. You may not know it, but when you said that, it really helped me see things from a new perspective. Your positive outlook and optimism are contagious, and I really appreciate your genuine approach towards making the people around you happy.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, Ao Haru Ride seems pretty interesting. I watched a show called Ouran Highschool Host Club, which you may know something about. The anime features a girl who comes from a less-fortunate backgrounds she attends one of the richest highschools. As she gets closer with the rest of the Host Club, feelings bud between her and the president, who happens to be extremely wealthy. Ultimately, after a tense arranged marriage to a woman he did not love, the president realizes his true feelings and confesses his feeling to the main character, which sounds kind of like the show you described. I really like the scene you picked because it perfectly conveys your message, and also just so happens to relate to never missing the right train. The spin that you put on the final message is comforting and really resonates with me. I deeply admire your mentality and your outlook on life, and I believe that your metaphor about finding the right train is a relieving and comforting mentality to have. Thank you for sharing a quote that you hold dear to your heart, and thank you for showing us that there is not one track (haha get it), but many. On a side note, I will definitely check out your favorite shoujo anime sometime.
Hey Yumeng! I found your blog’s message to be really profound! It’s definitely easier to be consumed by negativity, especially as juniors who are faced with mountains of work, the stress of extracurriculars, and the impending summer camp and college applications. That’s why I found the quote you included, “If the train doesn’t stop at your station, it’s not your train,” to be really motivating and comforting for me. It reminds me that I should always face the future, and as you said, to never be completely consumed by my negative emotions even if things don’t go my way.
ReplyDeleteI also like how you used Ao Haru Ride to illustrate your point on fighting for our beliefs. It reminds me of an anime I watched a while back called I Want to Eat Your Pancreas. This movie is about the story of a reclusive boy, Haruki, and a girl named Sakura with a terminal pancreatic disease. Haruki is initially quiet and distant from others, but he is drawn by Sakura and ends up completing items on her bucket list together. This culminates in him sending her the message, “I want to eat your pancreas,” symbolizing how much she changed him. After Sakura’s sudden death, Haruki discovers her diary that revealed her deep admiration for him and how much he’s changed her life as well. Using your metaphor, Haruki and Sakura were the “right trains” for each other. I really find your message to be both profound and comforting, simply knowing that the “right train” will eventually find me as well. Thanks for sharing both this mindset and an interesting anime with us, Yumeng!