Sonder

“Sonder: The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.”

It’s 8 o’clock in the morning, tired faces are passing by. Some people are walking slowly and some are running after their plane. I’m standing on the escalator that leads me to track eleven. The train arrives and within a few seconds everyone stands in front of the door, pushing their way in, because everyone wants a seat.

I’m listening to ‘Raleigh Ritchie - Stronger Than Ever’ and realize, as I do every morning, how different the world feels with music in my ears. Especially with songs like this, I love it. It’s like I’m living in a film. At the moment I feel like I can handle everything in the world. I forget about the negative things and feelings and I enjoy everything that’s going on around me; walking by myself, watching people eat, seeing birds fly in the first sun rays that are shining behind the clouds.

Everyone lives within another film. Everyone lives in such a different world, they have other thoughts and some act different because of the music they’re listening too and their current mood.

Some people are living inside of indescribable, horrible films, that they cannot escape. I wish I could watch some of them, I wish the world could watch all of them to realize that it’s not just a film that’s happening. It is important for us all to understand that people are not along in situations and struggles they go through, we all go through those phases in life. And to be grateful and happy about all the good things that happen in the world, that we sometimes forget about or unable to see upon first glance.

As the train arrives at Amsterdam Central Station I walk to the grand piano that’s placed in the big hall of the Station. I remove my headphones and step into reality again. There’s always someone playing on the piano. And wow, there are so many talented people walking around here, incredible. I could stay there all day.

I wish I could step into people’s minds and listen to the song they’re hearing and feel how they feel. There are so many people everywhere and it’s mind-blowing that everyone feels different and has such a different life. No one knows what exactly is going on in your life at the moment. Maybe someone was in grief yesterday without anyone noticing, maybe someone had a stupid fight with their parents and no one sees, or maybe you’re feeling really happy, but people don’t see it. It’s good to think about that every once in a while. And remember that a little smile can make someone’s day, week, or life.