Local train

En route to Harajuku to meet Misao, I got stuck taking the local Keio train from Horinouchi to Shinjuku. The plan was to meet at 2pm and walk together to visit Meiji Shrine. Unlike the usual commute, the relief of an express train (or semi-special express, even better) rolling up at major transfer points didn’t happen. But, I was still early enough so I wasn’t worried. I would get there on time, or just a little bit late. In all likelihood, her train was delayed too due to the weather. The ride was so smooth I could write without getting motion sick, so I pulled out my i-pod and notebook. After a while (it’s a long ride), I put away my notebook and checked out the scenery at stops I don’t usually see on the express train. It was blessedly empty – a combination of the rain and the fact that this was a slow local (futsu). Only a handful of passengers were in my car.

And as I was quietly rolling through Tokyo suburbs with an i-pod soundtrack playing in my ear, for a dizzying, fleeting moment I was certain that I was happy. I was sure that there wasn’t anything I would want to be doing more than being here, at this moment.

I think we don’t allow ourselves enough time to think about it. We worry whether we’re happy, whether we’re doing what we should be doing, or whether we’re doing what everyone else is doing, But we never get enough time to stop to think about whether we’re doing what we want to be doing and be grateful that we’re lucky enough the answer is, yes.