Whisper of the Heart

My lovely friend Katra has introduced me to watching Studio Ghibli, and now I'm on my fourth film, and it's the best thing I have discovered in 2026! My last watch was a movie called Whisper of the Heart, a romantic story about this young couple who are about to join high school and are studying for the high school entrance exams. The main actress is Shuzuki; coincidentally, she keeps checking out from the library the same books as Seiji, and as fate has it, they eventually meet and like each other. Seiji seems to have it all figured out, according to Shuzuki, in that he knows what he wants to do in the future. He wants to go to this town in Italy and make violins. Shuzuki, on the other hand, writes poems and has written a really funny adaptation of the famous song “Country Home,” but she has adapted it to “Concrete Road.” She thinks she wants to go to high school, but she says she just takes a day at a time as it comes. Her meeting with Seiji, who is actually going to be an apprentice for two months to see if he really has the talent, inspires her to start writing a book. Me seeing Shuzuki push herself, spend sleepless nights to finish her first book. I loved her grind. Shuzuki reminds me a lot of myself. I have pushed myself to do things because of being surrounded by really smart folks who have made me be like, "If he can do it, probably I can too." The same way, the only way to find out if you have it in you is to do it. Maybe someone might call out the gift in you, but you don't need to wait for them to. With whatever you got, that's enough to start.

There's this quote from the movie from the grandfather that I found so touching. The grandfather is called Shirou Nishi; he compares perfecting a talent to the process of polishing an ore to find a gem (emerald). He says, “

You and Seiji both are like that stone. Unpolished stones in their natural state. Now, I like even unpolished stones very much, but things like violin-making and story-writing are different. You have to find the rough gems inside yourself, take the time, and polish them. It's very time-consuming work. That rock has the largest stone, right?"

"Yes."

"Actually, that one, when you polish it, instead turns out to be worthless. The smaller ones further inside are of higher purity. And in a part you can't see from the outside, there might be even better stones.

And Shuzuki says, “I've become very afraid of finding out whether or not I have a beautiful crystal inside me, but I want to write. I like that she did go on and write because, just like we said, you never know till you try and find out.

So here's what I'm saying, lad: “Don't expect perfection at first,” but keep the promise to yourself, whichever small thing you are to do. Shuzuki also realizes thereafter that writing the book is not enough; she'll have to keep learning to polish and perfect it. She also says to Seiji that because of him, she was able to do her best. She confesses she's glad she pushed herself, because she understands herself a little better than before...” Such wise words from a young soul!

Me, I have things I need to do that I have not been like Shuzuki to try, but also these past few weeks I signed up for a Zumba dancing class. I don't get all the choreography right, but I love that I show up to most of my classes and I try my best, even if I'm making a fool out of myself. I also do volunteering in a service-oriented place where the French flies over my head a lot. For me it's been just a way to collect evidence that I keep promises to myself and show that I am consistent. Yes, I'll need to translate the same consistency to my other creative pursuits, but that doesn't negate the fact that I am consistent. Sometimes we lie to ourselves so much, bragging about how we can do this and that, but there's nothing for you to show for it!

My friend also told me something so cool she's implementing in her life. So, you know the way every start of the year we make all these goals we want to hit, like mmh, run every morning, etc.? She says that she doesn't have to do it every day for her to applaud herself for following through; even just doing it once means she did it. I think you can borrow that too for other things. In as much as discipline is so important, especially for artistic pursuits, don't forget the times you show up even once.

Oh how I love the banality of life. I hope today when you brush your teeth you don't do it as fast, but you hold the handle a little firmly and are more present in what you do, and if your thoughts drift, once you get the rhythm of back and forth, then let them drift as much and embrace all the possibilities that may come with that.

Above all, I hope you draw the inspiration to live from how ordinary the days are.
I hope you are reminded to satisfy the godly longings of your heart and take care of your beautiful self.
I hope that joy you see in people, however fleeting, will remind you to take in all that the day has brought.
I hope the heroes in the movies you love will show you that you can go through any adversity.
I hope that the testimonies of those who have conquered illnesses or have learned to sit with grief give you a glimpse that there's hope on the other side.
I hope that even when you quiver as you try to let your voice be heard, you will not lean into the fear and stop. I hope that when you fail, you'll be quick to get up, try again, or move ahead.
I hope you remember that above all: things are falling in place, and you are worthy of joy, peace, and all the good things that you can imagine from life.
And when your imagination is scanty, may those around you fill you up. And if life permits, may the frivolous sweet love like that of Shizuku and Seiji meet you!

Cheers.