Lee Harrison's first Christmas abroad was spent in colonial Cuenca, Ecuador

Back home at holiday season, I’d often hear people look back with regret…

“Another year’s gone by and I’m still not where I want to be in life.”

But that changes when you move abroad. It no longer matters how satisfied or dissatisfied you were up to that point. What you’ve accomplished—or failed to accomplish—becomes unimportant.

When you move overseas, everyone gets to start over on a level playing field. Life “zeros out” and becomes focused on the future.

Why?

Because to the folks back home, we’re now viewed as expats…instead of whatever or whoever we were before. We’re “living the life”…the exclusive 1% of the population who stepped forward to live a dream.

And to the people in our new country, we’re coming on the scene as a forerunner…an adventurer. We’re arriving with independence and confidence, ahead of the mainstream.

I soon realized that, in my new country, I was noteworthy for the first time in my life…not part of the crowd. People wanted to get to know me and include me in their circle.

One of the warmest memories that often comes to mind is of my first Christmas abroad.

From a neighbor’s driveway, I hear the sounds of a hatchet on a chopping block as two indigenous women finished cutting up a large hog…on the sidewalk of this exclusive upper-class neighborhood. Other women are tending giant, steaming kettles of soup, large kernel corn and pork, as they work under the brilliant Andean sunshine. My friend Ernesto takes a mysterious brown bottle of homebrewed cane liquor from person to person, each sampling it from a shared cup.

After a round of appetizers consisting of blow torch-crisped pig skin and wood-roasted corn, our procession starts to form in the street. The youngsters are dressed as Wise Men, the Virgin Mary or Joseph, while the babies and toddlers are ornately dressed in the part of baby Jesus.

Accompanied by a small brass band, we begin walking—zig-zagging our way through one corner of colonial Cuenca, Ecuador—as friends and neighbors join the march. A giant feast (roasted pork, of course) awaits us at the end of our procession.

This neighborhood version of a centuries old tradition—called El Pase del Niño (“passing of the Child”)—is not a rare Christmas-time sight here. But what I found moving was that we—two brand-new residents—were asked to join these families in their celebration.

In my former life, I failed to live up to society’s expectations in plenty of ways. Just ask my high-school teachers or my ex-wife.

But upon moving abroad, my “past” vanished.

From then on, it was time to look ahead with anticipation, not look back in judgment. When you move overseas, you become a new person.

So for most expats, Christmas is a good time to reflect on what a great place we’ve arrived at in life. Since the age of 49, it’s been a time when I take stock and say, I’ve done it!” And that’s almost 10 Christmases in a row.

Yes, there are downsides about being abroad for the holidays—like often being away from family. While most overseas residents have no shortage of visitors, not everyone can visit at once.

But overall, I enjoy the season like never before. I’ve re-experienced the joy from childhood, with time to visit friends and appreciate all our old traditions.

And since our new local friends accept us as if we were family members, we’re included in a number of new traditions, too, like the Pase del Niño.

The best part of this lifestyle is that it’s open to everybody…anyone can do it. There’s no special training or education or experience required…and little in the way of funds.

The people who enjoy an exciting life abroad—and know the rich cultural experience of the holidays abroad—are not there because they’re clever, educated, or wealthy. They’ve made it because they were willing to give it a try.

When your first Christmas as an expat rolls around—and you pause to reflect on where you are in life—you won’t be disappointed.

You’ll realize, as I do, that you’re one of the luckiest people you know.

Editor’s note: Lee Harrison will be one of the main speakers at the Ultimate Event 2011—our biggest event of the year. No matter your hopes, concerns, or dreams about living overseas—this event has all the answers. We hope to see you there.