If you're a longtime reader, you know that I spend most of the year in Asia. I have lived in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Asia is wonderful, but I have to confess: It isn't easy for me to get into the holiday spirit over here.
It isn't that Asia doesn't try hard. From Japan to Jakarta, Asians have embraced the commercial symbols of Christmas in a big way. Stores and shopping malls are decorated with Christmas trees and holiday lights, all the stores play Silent Night and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and a child won't have any problem finding a Santa — even if he has slanty eyes like me — who is happy to listen to his wish list.
Of course, I am much too old to sit on Santa's lap, and the meaning of the holiday season has changed for me over years.
As a child, the holidays meant presents and time off from school. But now that I am older (and hopefully wiser) the holidays aren't a time, a season, or even a celebration.
To me, the holidays are more of a state of mind. Instead of opening presents, it is about opening our hearts to the important people in our lives.
Now that I'm an AARP-eligible adult, I have come to believe that the reason that we spend so much money on Christmas presents is that we use them as a substitute for the words of love and appreciation that are unfortunately spoken too infrequently.
I want to let you know that you are one of those important people in my life. Without your support, I would not have the opportunity to pursue my great professional passion of searching for unique opportunities all over the world to enrich the financial side of our lives.
Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Wishing you a prosperous and healthy 2019.
Best wishes,
Tony
