HK heartbeat #807 | 11 Dec 2018 | heartbeat.com.hk

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[First Name]

This week, we are offering our best.

Sometimes we know instinctively what that is. Sometimes, we have to dig a little deeper.

I am currently supporting my sister whose husband died suddenly and unexpectedly last week after being off work for a few days with the flu. I thought my best would be to show up in person to support her and her daughter, but that is not to be.

Those of us who live abroad learn how to grieve from a distance and receive advice from people like my Chinese client who wrote yesterday, "It is life. We all will die. Just do not know when."

My sister and I are strong enough and close enough to make it through this apart.

I am truly, deeply grateful for the gift of technology to stay connected with our 46 first cousins and their families. Bonnie has asked for my help with communications because she knows it's what I'm good at and I feel good because I am offering her one my best gifts.

In this season of gifts, it sparked a reflection of why we struggle with giving the perfect thing.

Ask any kid what they want for Christmas and you'll likely get a full list. Ask the same child to choose between everything on the list and free time with family and the answer might be surprising. In our over-scheduled, hyper-fast, do-it-all, FOMO lifestyle, our relationships could use more than a new something.

When we bypass the wallet and rely on our personal gifts, we can create lasting memories that withstand the test of time and space. A new generation who values experiences over stuff is changing the way we think about the holidays. There a new respect for old-fashioned traditions like making and baking and building by hand.

It might be too much to ditch the shopping altogether, but there are ways to shop consciously and purchase creatively with a thought to items that can be used create new memories. We can support the multitude of new businesses offering zero-waste products with minimum packaging, starting with the Green Queen Zero-Waste Christmas Market this Saturday.

Many of us won't be spending the holidays with our family so we rely on our gifts and our memories.

I remember when I first told my nieces and nephews that my presence was my presents. They didn't believe me right away first because they know how good I am at gifts and how much I love surprises, but this surprise was a winner. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving.

We can offer our time, our compassion, our craft, our charity, our kindness, our laughter, our patience, our crazy dance ... but we are offering a part of ourselves when we give from the heart and we are always better for it.

What gifts are yours to share?

Naturally,

Founder
HK heartbeat

"God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well." Voltaire


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Where were you?

A Profile of Modern Slavery by Matthew Friedman

There are more slaves in the world today than any other time in history. Former USAID and United Nations’ expert Matthew Friedman obtained in-depth first-hand knowledge with boots-on-the-ground work over 25 years throughout Asia. Human trafficking exists in nearly every nation on earth and Friedman has personally interviewed hundreds of freed slaves and imprisoned traffickers throughout South and Southeast Asia. The slave industry operates in brothels, fisheries, clothing and chocolate industries, as well as a myriad of other manufacturing jobs and is a billion dollar business that continues to grow unchecked. ... read more


Calendar

Community Calendar

4 (7-9pm) Releasing Fear in Love | Mindful Movement | details

4 (7-9pm) Seven-Chakra Aromatic Private Dinner | i-Detox Wellness Centre | details

5 (7:30-10pm) A Merry Little Christmas | Cecilian Singers | details

5 (6:30pm) Wildlife Trade in 2018: is CITES up to the Task? | The Royal Geographical Society | details

6 (12-6pm) Buy Nothing Christmas Anniversary Swap | JupYeah | details

7-9 (9am-6pm) The Garden Gathering | Soultrains | details

7 (12:30-1:30pm) Managing a Difficult Pregnancy | Tian Yan Nei Gong Centre | details

7 (6-8pm) Laughter Yoga to Yoga of Peace | Raja Yoga Meditation Centre | details

7 (6:30-9:15pm) Future of Food - Tasting, Talk, Film | Green Monday Hong Kong | details

7 (8-11pm) Kirtan & Mantra Film Screening | Dave Stringer Music | details

8 (9am-7pm) Holotropic Breathwork | Pause HK | details

8 (11am-1pm) Strength, Mobility & Yoga Charity Event | F45 Training Quarry Bay | details

8 (2-5pm) Reiki Cafe | Shine Body & Soul Healing Centre | details

9 (11am-5pm) Tong Chong Street Market | Honestly Green | details

9 (3:15-6:15pm) New Moon Circle & Chakra Dance | Sacred Women Circle Dance | details

11 (6:30pm) The Great Wall: The Greatest Views | The Royal Geographical Society | details

11 (7:30-9:45pm) Philosophical Way for Post-Post-Modern Society | HK Philosophy Café | details

12 (12:15-2:15pm) Pathways to Happiness | Asia Society HK | details

12 (6:30-8:30pm) Year End Party in our New Space | i-Detox Wellness Centre | details

12-13 (Tues 6-9pm; Wed 9am-12pm) The Feel Good Fair | Resurrection Church | details

14 (10:30am-12:30pm) DIY Natural Gifts Workshop | i-Detox Wellness Centre | details

14 (12:30-1:30pm) Finding your Balance Within | Tian Yan Nei Gong Centre | details

15 (11am-5pm) Green Queen Zero Waste Christmas Market | Green Queen HK | details

15 (11am-5pm) Christmas Market | The Hive Sai Kung | details

22 (7:30-9:30pm) Yule Magic Winter Solstice Celebration | Stellar Spiritual | details

Coming Up

Jan 4-6 Farmfest

Feb 22-24 (10am-5pm) LOHAS Expo & Vegetarian Food Asia

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Directory highlights

The Round Clinic - Family oriented natural health center for fertility, maternity and child related services

John Masters Organics - Organic skin care, hair care and body care with functional ingredients

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