Lost on a train

She was running as fast as she could in her mind and it seemed as if she was getting nowhere fast. She was tired, and worked day in and day out. She dreamed of beauty, depth, and adventure, but continued to stay stuck doing the same things over and over. Her name was Elizabeth and she grew up in a small town called Monschau, Germany in 2007.

She worked as a waitress in the town restaurant and gazed out of the windows with the innate sense of something more. She had big dreams to sing and magic in her heart and didn't know the first step to take in the right direction. She became like a lion caged in her skin, wondering when it would end so that her life could truly begin.

Then she woke up, startled, without the slightest idea or memory of how she had gotten there. The train was moving so fast with no signs of stopping. Her adrenaline kicked in and her breathing picked up. She was so scared as a million thoughts raced through her mind all at once. Had she been drugged? Kidnapped? Was she in immediate danger? Did she get drunk and run away?

She realized in that moment that she was not bound in any way. Her hands and her ankles were free and she could speak. She jumped up and her eyes darted all around to see what was happening. It was very peculiar. Everyone was seemingly dressed up in ancient style beautiful dresses, robes, and apparel that made no sense at all for it to be 2007.

I must be dreaming, she thought. So she slapped herself and said aloud, "Nope, still here." In that moment an old man turned around and said, "Where did you come from?" She just looked at him with his wise blue eyes and beard and wondered if she had died and this was taking her to heaven. She finally responded, "I have no idea how I have gotten here." The old man chuckled, "Well that just means you are right where you are supposed to be, my dear." he winked.

I gave him a very puzzled look, and then in an instant I looked down and realized my whole outfit had changed into a beautiful purple dress that sparkled. It was still like a dream in my mind that I was here in this mystical, magical place with no idea how it had happened. I decided the how didn't even matter, because for the first time in my 17 years of life, I felt a sense of adventure, wonder, magic, mystery, and maybe even a little danger.

I asked the old man, "Where are we going?" and he responded, "To the other side, don't you know where that is?" The look on my face made him chuckle some more. "Elizabeth, you have always known within your soul that the other side is like a window home. That is why you gaze out of the window into the unknown. Life is but a dream, and it's what you decide that creates the scene." he chuckled again at how puzzled and dazed I looked.

I sat back and observed the state of the room I was in. Women with beautiful dresses and garb, men with robes laughing and drinking ale. They all seemed so merry, magical, and at peace. Peace, I thought, a word that was so very far from me back in my reality. I smiled within, and decided that, wherever this train was going it didn't matter. However I got here wasn't important. I was here. I was free. I was going home.

In deep thought, it occurred to me that I was lost on a train and I had no idea where I was going. I didn't even care. I didn't have to do anything but just be in that moment. I had no deadlines, no alarm clock, no demands, no limits. It was a magical and freeing feeling, with a side of danger. The Lioness within me smiled as I fully embraced the magic of the other side happening on this train ride.

I grew curious and got up to venture more on this train. It was like I had stepped into another time all together. The train had character like that of an old house. When I looked out the windows the scenery was cloudy in a purple, blue, and white haze. Yet, deep down inside, I was not afraid. I kept walking through the isles of the train.

I saw children playing and their laughter lifted my spirits even higher. As I continued to walk I heard singing. The voice was beautiful as I entered this part of the train they were singing like angel's from heaven. See! I am dead, I thought. Then a woman dressed in ancient red apparel looking like a Goddess came to my side, and said, "No my dear, you are not dead, you are finally alive."

I sang with them and needed no words. For the first time in my existence I felt truly seen and heard. I never wanted this train ride to end. The other side is where I've always wanted to be. Out of the restrictions, demands, struggle, and mundane of life's daily routines.

Then the woman who looked like a Goddess whispered in that moment to me, "you create your own reality." She smiled and went on, "It doesn't matter what dimension you are in, all it takes is for you to remember your own magic within." We sang and we danced and spun around and around.

When I awakened the next morning, I was in my bed again. I had no memory of how I had found my way home from the runaway train. I smiled to myself and realized, I can always go back there again. That experience forever changed me to know that anything is possible if you just believe.