One of the dreams on my wish list is to spend more time in

The words “One of the dreams on my wish list is to spend more time in Thailand,” spoken by Kevin Kwan, author of Crazy Rich Asians, seem at first glance to be a simple wish—an expression of longing for travel, rest, and beauty. Yet, within these gentle words lies a deeper current: the human yearning to return to wonder, to dwell in places that awaken the spirit and remind us of life’s richness beyond duty and ambition. For Kwan, whose stories explore the glimmering yet restless world of luxury and modern excess, this longing for Thailand is not merely for its beaches or temples, but for stillness, reflection, and the quiet joy of being present in a world too often consumed by motion.

Thailand, a land where golden spires rise from jungles and monks walk barefoot through bustling streets, has long been a refuge for seekers of balance. To wish to spend time there is to crave more than a vacation—it is to yearn for simplicity and peace, the treasures often buried beneath the noise of modern life. In this, Kevin Kwan’s dream echoes the eternal wisdom of the sages: that true fulfillment is not found in possessions or prestige, but in moments of stillness where the soul can breathe. To dream of such a place is to remember that beauty and serenity are not luxuries, but necessities for the spirit’s renewal.

Throughout history, great minds have sought this kind of retreat—not to escape life, but to rediscover it. Think of Siddhartha Gautama, who, centuries ago, wandered the forests of what is now Thailand’s neighbor, India, in search of peace beyond the illusions of wealth and power. He left behind a palace and a crown, seeking the wisdom that can only be found when one listens deeply to the silence of the heart. Like him, all who long for quiet places—whether on distant shores or within their own souls—are moved by the same impulse: to awaken to the truth that life’s meaning lies not in endless striving, but in mindful presence.

There is something profoundly human in Kwan’s wish. It reminds us that even in a world filled with opportunity and abundance, the heart hungers for connection—to the earth, to nature, to time itself. For what is a wish list but a map of the soul’s deepest desires? Some seek wealth, others fame, but those who have tasted both often turn toward simplicity, to mornings unhurried and sunsets uncounted. Thailand, with its temples and laughter, its fragrant markets and quiet waters, becomes not just a destination, but a symbol of balance—a place where joy and reflection walk hand in hand.

Yet this dream also carries a lesson of gratitude and mindfulness. One need not cross oceans to find peace; one must only learn to see the world with new eyes. To “spend more time in Thailand” may also mean to spend more time in one’s own present moment—to dwell in the now as deeply as one would dwell in a sacred land. The wisdom is not in travel itself, but in presence, in learning to savor life without haste or hunger for what lies next.

Let this, then, be the teaching: make time for your dreams, not because they are distant, but because they remind you of who you are when all noise is stripped away. Seek your own “Thailand,” whatever form it takes—a garden, a book, a quiet morning of thought. Give yourself permission to pause. For in pausing, you make room for meaning. In slowing, you begin to see again the wonder that rush has stolen from your sight.

And remember, beloved listener: the dream of peace is not escapism—it is courage. To wish for stillness in a restless age is to rebel against the tyranny of haste. Like Kevin Kwan, hold your dream gently, yet firmly, and let it remind you that life’s richest treasures are often found in simplicity, serenity, and the brave act of simply being.

So when you hear these words—“One of the dreams on my wish list is to spend more time in Thailand”—know that they are not just a traveler’s musing, but a call to return to your own sacred ground, wherever it may be. Seek beauty. Seek quiet. Seek your soul. And when you find it, cherish it as the rarest treasure the world can give.