December 2025

Home » Journaling » December 2025

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

In saying that, I do not mean Christmas decorations are everywhere. Nor do I mean that it’s feeling cold outside. (the cold has seemingly subsided after a few days; maybe it will come back as Christmas approaches – or not)

I only mean that December – the last month of the year, the beginning of winter (well, at least in most of the world; not quite if you consider how the weather in Saigon is) – has come.

2 years has passed already since I took the leap of faith. Almost like I have been through another “job” – though this one is quite different.

Normally, 2 years should be enough for me to transition to a new stage. And I’m about to – soon enough.

That said, there are still a few things to wrap up. This blog, the Q4 edition, my part-time job, and a few things…

Now, where to begin?

December 1

The sermon delivered where I attended service yesterday was a little cryptic and vague. I suppose it would have been better if the priest were more specific and delved deeper into the theme of mindful living. Of Memento Mori. (remeber you must die!)

I can never forget the time I came across that topic and decided to write about it. I felt a level of excitement I had never felt before. As if I had found a clue to the development of this blog – of my life’s trajectory.

Back in the day, I was focusing mostly on self-help things, on “quick wins” – until the topic of Memento Mori jolted me out of my sleepwalking.

Philosophy, religion, spirituality, ethics, etc. all stem from this realization of the finity of life and the inevitability of death.

If we could live forever without an end, I suppose there would be no reason to do anything at all.

But we can’t. One day, death will come.

One day, you and I will die.

One day, the winter of life will come. For some, it comes extremely fast – out of the blue. Like a net cast on the fish.

To live with that knowledge – is to experience a transformation. A whole new world.

(08:01 AM GMT+7 – December 1, 2025)

December 2

So gloomy this morning. Not quite cold – but still…

Let’s try to wrap up things soon then. I’m a little tired by now.

Sometimes I wonder if I can find some help. It’s really exhausting – physically and emotionally (though not quite spiritually) – to do everything on one’s own.

(08:06 AM GMT+7 – December 2, 2025)

December 3

Sometimes I really wish to procrastinate – especially when it comes to something slightly not familiar, or when something is likely to disrupt my planned routine.

…

Sigh…

…

Maybe I’m overthinking again. Let’s calm down, ok?

…

Ok, it’s Wednesday already. Let’s do it!

Tenki ga iikara, hajimemashou!

(08:25 AM GMT+7 – December 3, 2025)

I cannot believe it’s raining that hard – like, it’s December already!

This type of rain – normally I can only observe it around August-September, or when there is a tropical storm raging. None of these apply to the current situation.

An event is just an event, right? Nothing to freak (too much) about.

Or is it?

(02:50 PM GMT+7 – December 3, 2025)

December 5

I was thinking about staying at home today. Until I woke up really early this morning – and felt driven to do something I have long considered.

Can I do it? It’s a little… I suppose, challenging, but let’s see!

After all, I suppose I can spare one more week from my schedule. Who knows if I can have free time moving forward?

Do it now, or never!

(07:53 AM GMT+7 – December 5, 2025)

December 7

Hate the sin, love the sinner.

Sadly, that’s something most conventional religions, ethical and social systems do not promote.

That’s why people are trapped in self-righteousness, in condemning people who do bad things as “evil”.

When we look at the prostitutes on the street, we can either think of them as “demons” emerging to destroy families – or we can think of them as “broken” people who are suffering deep within. I suppose many do belong to the first group – but also, many belong to the second group.

What will we choose to look at?

Will we get trapped in notions, in ideologies?

The people who do that – to me, they are deeply insecure within. Deeply they want to say that “hey, at least I’m still better than a lot of ‘evil-doers’ out there”.

That’s my interpretation. And sadly, it is something that some people I know personally succumb to.

They cannot admit it. They are afraid to admit it. And they get angry if someone questions their own integrity.

Like the merchant father who refuses to open the door and welcomes his son in.

Even if the truth comes in person and knocks at your door, you will refuse to open your mind.
Thich Nhat Hanh

(10:51 AM GMT+7 – December 7, 2025)

Hypocrisy, hypocrisy, everything is hypocrisy!

You say people are evil when they gossip about each other – but you yourself try to observe people when they converse and “gossip” about their gossiping later.

Is double standard really the way to live in this world?

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

(11:00 AM GMT+7 – December 7, 2025)

December 8

So cold this morning. I only wish that the weather will be like this around Christmas.

Strange… I have always associated coldness with Christmas. I cannot envision how it feels for someone who lives in the Southern hemisphere to enjoy Christmas in the summer.

The coldness of Christmas has always inspired a sense of awe and wonder within me – since childhood, up to now.

(08:21 AM GMT+7 – December 8, 2025)

Well, it’s a big surprise that the coffee shop today decides to turn Christmas music on. Right now, it’s Joy to the World.

(09:01 AM GMT+7 – December 8, 2025)

December 9

Through the years, we all will be together.
If the fates allow.
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

Well, it’s not Christmas yet, but it feels like. (though today it’s not so cold – it’s hot)

Now, let’s get to work. So far so good!

Tenki ga iikara, hajimemashou!

(08:10 AM GMT+7 – December 9, 2025)

December 11

It’s easier to sell self-help courses, journals, or coaching to a self-discovery audience. The product offerings for a philosophy blog (e.g., in-depth e-books, specialized courses) will appeal to fewer people and require a higher-quality output.

Well, well, well… Interesting.

(10:18 AM GMT+7 – December 11, 2025)

December 14

A dark night of the soul…

Can one be willing to accept all surprises – to accept & embrace the absurdities that life/ the universe/ the Ultimate Reality throws at them? To let go of all assumptions and confront the truth?

He comes and always does new things. He is newness.

(06:54 PM GMT+7 – December 14, 2025)

December 16

Let’s calm down a little – I think I have been running a little too fast, too excitedly lately. Now I feel that I’m completely worn out.

Maybe I should just do something more lighthearted today – instead of focusing intensely on philosophical things?

I should also visit the gym too, I suppose. In the evening then – if I can afford to.

(08:00 AM GMT+7 – December 16, 2025)

December 24

It is coming…

Where am I now?

It’s so strange – the feeling that one has gone so far, but not arrived anywhere yet.

I suppose I need to wind down a little. Otherwise, the momentum will push me too far away from where I intend to land.

After all, it’s Christmas time already, so… I’d better chill, right?

Aimlessness does not mean doing nothing. It means not putting something in front of you to chase after.
Thich Nhat Hanh

(10:25 AM GMT+7 – December 24, 2025)

Midnight stars, they sail the sky in silence
Hearing all they see, are they hearing me?
Christmas Star, you watch the world so wisely
At my journey’s end, will you be my true friend?

Star light, shine bright
See me through the dark night
Light mine, half way
Guide me home for Christmas day