Some lessons don’t arrive through grand moments.
Sometimes they come disguised as ordinary inconveniences. A wrong tram, a missed connection, and a platform that quietly reminds you that not everything stays where you left it.
I went to the tram stop where I always catch my train to the doctor’s. It’s such a familiar route that I didn’t think twice. The tram arrived, I got on, put my headphones in, and did what most of us do these days: started watching TikToks. On a good day, I would read.
The route is usually a straight stretch, so when I suddenly felt the tram taking a curve, I looked up in confusion.
Wrong tram.
I hadn’t even bothered to check the direction displayed on the front. I got off at the next stop, slightly annoyed at myself. In German, we call it Selber schuld. (your own fault)
Thankfully, I’d left home early because, well… German public transport isn’t exactly known for always being on time.
Back at the station, I told myself, “Okay, this time, pay attention.” I checked the direction of the next tram. It wasn’t mine, so I politely stepped aside to let everyone board while I waited.
Then I happened to glance across to the other platform…
There was my tram.
Already pulling away.
I just stood there, completely puzzled.
I’d been so used to boarding from the same spot every single time that it never crossed my mind the departure platform had changed. The first time I forgot to check the direction. The second time I forgot to check where it was actually leaving from.
For a moment, I almost gave up and went home. But instead, I walked over to the correct platform, waited again, and finally made it onto the right tram.
As frustrating as it was, it made me think.
Maybe life is like that too.
Sometimes we hold on so tightly to what could have been that we miss what still can be. We stay facing the direction of a closed door instead of noticing another one has already opened.
Today’s little mix-up reminded me that it’s okay to feel disappointed. But I don’t want disappointment to become my destination.
I want to keep looking up. To stay open. To notice what’s in front of me instead of only mourning what never happened.
Because maybe what’s meant for me isn’t the train I missed.
Maybe it’s the one I’m about to board.
