I just wanted to take some time out today to wish everyone out there a very merry Christmas, and I hope you’re all having a wonderful holiday season.
Christmas over here in Chiang Mai, Thailand is, perhaps surprisingly, not terribly different than what I’ve been experiencing in the States for the last eight years of my life.
There’s no snow. That’s for sure. But that’s the same as what I was working with in SW Florida.
The decorations are everywhere, which prompted my girlfriend and I to pose in front of a massive tree.
Christmas music is ubiquitous right now. The city is lit up beautifully. Stores have become noticeably busier. People are happy and celebrating. Gifts are being exchanged. Business closures obviously aren’t as widespread for Christmas day, though.
I even had pizza for dinner on the night of Christmas Eve, which reminds me of my younger years (my family used to order pizza on the night of Christmas Eve).
All in all, though, the thing that’s most similar for me personally is, it’s a great time to just sit back and reflect on what an amazing life it is.
To have life, and to have the opportunity to live a full, happy, and healthy life, is such a gift.
I couldn’t ask for or imagine a better gift than that.
So I hope you’re all truly enjoying this holiday season, making the most of it, spending time with loved ones, eating too much food, and generally taking advantage of everything this time has to offer.
But let’s also make the most of every day. Not just Christmas.
Because the greatest gift is given to us every single day of our lives.
Today is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.
Merry Christmas!
Thanks for reading.
Merry Christmas, Jason! I’m mostly a lurker on your blog but I just wanted to wish you happy holidays and a wonderful new year! It’s been really inspiring to follow you, and I’m glad you’ve found so much happiness in Chiang Mai. I hope all continues to go well for you in the coming year, though I have no doubt it will. All the best to you!
— Emily
Emily,
Thanks so much. Really appreciate the kind words and support! 🙂
Wish you and yours nothing but the best throughout the holiday season… and beyond.
Cheers!
Hi Jason,
Merry christmas to you guys too. It made me really happy the lovely photo of you guys with the tree, hugging. Great thoughts there, every single day is a gift. Life is amazing.
Best regards
petrusko
petrusko,
Absolutely. Every day above ground is a good day. Anything beyond that is gravy. I sometimes can’t believe how fortunate I am. 🙂
Thanks for dropping by. Hope the holiday season is treating you and yours well.
Best regards!
Merry christmas and happy new year Jason! Nice to hear good things about Chiang Mai and life in Chiang Mai, I’ll arrive January 5 to try it out. We have been working towards FIRE for a couple of years and will start with a “gap year” and see how things work out
Rick,
Hope you guys enjoy CM. CM isn’t for everyone, nor is living as an expat, but I happen to really appreciate it.
If you’re here for a while and want to grab a coffee or something, drop me a line!
Best wishes.
You couldn’t imagine a better gift? How about a knock at your door on Xmas day,,,,,it’s me Freddy, dropping into say hello .Man that would be great. LOL I don’t have any trips to Thailand planned.
Merry Christmas Jason, Thanks for years of great writing
Fred,
I guess my Christmas just isn’t complete now. 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Cheers.
Jason,
Merry Christmas from the other side of the globe. We just came back from beautiful Cuba this morning (even stuck at the airport in Mexico City for 6 hours to wait for our bus ride). It was a life-time experience for me and was totally worth of seeing how people live in the country. As you probably heard before, many basic and essential items (e.g. clothing, electronics, auto, entertainment, aliment, etc.) in the capitalism world are scarce in the socialist state. They have been materially struggling for many years. And yet they feel happiness as who they are and how they help each other. I often heard “Somos solidarios” that translates to “We are supportive with a common interest”. They help each other, survive and share the moment (happiness or sadness) because they are people.
This experience is my Christmas gift for this year. It is the best Christmas gift I have ever had in my life.
ER2019,
Yeah, I couldn’t agree more with that. That’s a concept I explored quite a bit of in my post on how I’ve experienced “reverse” culture shock here in Thailand (although the juxtaposition isn’t as extreme/severe). Instead of being miserable while running ever-faster on the hedonic treadmill, there’s a sense of contentment here that’s so refreshing.
Will it always be this way? Perhaps not. The human condition is a funny thing. But I’m appreciating it very much in the moment.
Glad you experienced that. Life itself is an amazing gift.
Cheers!
Dear jason,
Very merry christmas and a very happy new year. As always i enjoy reading your blogs and glad to see you are happy in your new home. Continue the good work so i can enjoy reading your blog with my morning coffee.
Cheers,
Rishi ( from sweden with a lot of snow and -12)
Rishi,
Thank you very much. Hope to continue writing for many years to come. I still enjoy it just as much as I ever have, and I’m blessed to have an audience that finds value in my content. 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Stay warm over there!
Best regards.
Merry Xmas Jason.
David,
Same to you and yours. Happy holidays!
Best regards.
Merry Christmas, Jason.
Glad to hear that you are enjoying life over there every day.
I’m currently thrown into the FIRE mix of things and it pretty darn fun, I do have to say!
Take care,
Mike
Mike,
It’s a lifestyle that sure makes it tough to complain about anything. I’ve met a few expats/digital nomads over here who have been turned off by my cheery and optimistic attitude, but I just can’t help it. I’m incredibly happy. Doing what I can to spread that enthusiasm. 🙂
Thanks for dropping by!
Best regards.
Happy holidays Jason. I have enjoyed reading your work and look forward to more in 2018. Tom
Tom,
Thank you so much for following along.
I enjoy putting together valuable and inspirational content. I plan to continue doing it for a long time to come. 🙂
Hoping for a wonderful 2018 for us all!
Cheers.
Hi Jason. I hope you are having a great time during the holidays. Your blog is very inspirational and I look forward to more posts in the future.
RI,
Thank you. Things are phenomenal over here. I’m blessed. I hope things are just as fantastic for you!
Appreciate the support. I hope to write a lot of great content over the coming year (and beyond). It’s an honor to be in a position to help and inspire others.
Looking forward to 2018! 🙂
Best wishes.
Glad you’re enjoying your time in Thailand. I hope you have a Happy New Year in 2018.
DP,
Thanks so much. I’m so fortunate.
Looking forward to what 2018 and beyond will bring us all. Let’s have a great year. 🙂
Best regards.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Jason. It is wonderful to hear everything is going great and I foresee many more great things in the horizon.
Also, just wanted to complete the quote you had since I actually have it too in my computer desktop. “Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, Today is a Gift, That’s is why we call it the Present”. Love the quote.
Take care bro!
DV,
Definitely, man. It’s a great quote! 🙂
Appreciate the support. I’m super fortunate. I hope all is going incredibly well for you and yours, and I hope that continues throughout 2018.
Best regards.