AXIOO

“It's the most wonderful time of the year 

There'll be much mistletoeing 

And hearts will be glowing 

When love ones are near 

It's the most wonderful time of the year”

I looked out the window at the streets of Singapore, looking pretty as always, especially adorned with all the Christmas lights and decorations. I feel sad, empty and lonely. In a few short moments, all of these will go away. The happiest and merriest season of all will soon be packed away in boxes to store until next year. I hate to say goodbye to all of it. I hate saying goodbye to holidays and to waking up to the picture perfect mountains covered with snow, to being sun-kissed, to each glorious snowflake that fall into my hands, and to making snow-angels. But as I sit here in my hotel room, writing this blog post at 2 am local time in Singapore, my mind is filled with excitement of what awaits for me in 2013. I suddenly could not wait to go home and start Axioo-ing once again. My mind drifted away through the highway of imagination via La La Land into the land full of dreams and possibilities. And I can’t sleep. (Either that, or I am totally jet-lagged!) 

I am reminded of an oak tree we passed during our adventures a few days ago. It looked so beautiful, frozen and covered in ice. Charming, that’s probably the best word to describe it. Oak trees are beautiful in every seasons – spring, summer, autumn, winter. It is amazing how our God could paint the leaves differently in each season. It made me think about how I too have my own seasons to go through, including the season of quiet reflection and inner nourishment, also a season where I can blossom into the world and contribute the greatest expression of who I am. To be who I am. 

I imagine the oak tree never asked if it should really be a rose or a lily or a pine tree even. An oak tree accepts that which it is meant to be. It taught me that the only thing I should be seeking is inside myself, that the most and best I can hope for is to discover who I am supposed to be and be the of who I am. I should stop comparing myself with other and end this competition once and for all. 

I have come to understand that there is only one lesson to be learned here on earth: that I am a part of something greater than myself. So, tomorrow morning, when I wake up, I will walk over to this very window and look for the daily blessings waiting for me: the sun, the water, the earth, and the picture of the oak tree that reminds me to pay attention to the little details and be grateful. 

2012 went like a train inside my mind and I smiled at the memory. Everything – the sweet, the bitter, the glories, the pain, the tears, and the laughter – all the little moments that made 2012 a beautiful year. I am happy and blessed in every season of my life. And I know that being grateful is essential for my overall happiness. When I am grateful, I understand that there are still good things in our lives even when things don’t work out the way we’ve hoped. If we don’t understand and practice gratitude, we will always feel like there is more we should have, regardless of what we hold in our hands already. 

So, remember to look up every so often and give thanks, because what’s waiting for us in 2013 is greater than anything we’ve ever imagined. Happy New Year, dear friends. May your hearts be glowing in every season! J

With love,

Fen Soong

PS: I hope you enjoy some of our favorite moments from our holiday in Winter Wonderland. Now Swiss is definitely our number one choice of places to be on Christmas!