This week, we are celebrating life on our little blue planet.
A lot has changed in Hong Kong since 2001 when we held our first Earth Day festival on the new Tamar Site. By that time, having lived corporate life for 8 years, I was very familiar with the general attitude toward pollution: “if you don’t like it, you can leave.”
With years of local Canadian non-profit experience and a zero tolerance for waste, I felt at home with our team. I loved that we covered so much ground in our weekly meeting in Christine Loh’s office, sharing ideas, resources and expertise and volunteering our precious personal time create an authentic and conscious event.
I think we did a great job with the live music, teepee, installations and I loved meeting local natural health professionals. We had great support from businesses introducing their products and services that are good for us and good for the environment.
For me, organizing the event together was as much as being there on the day in the rain, connecting with new people who also combine passion with purpose for profit with philanthropy. It was then that we realized there were many more of us than any of us had imagined. I was just beginning to realize how vibrant our local community really is.
In May 2005, My vision for Hong Kong began to take shape as I wrote my weekly essay for the newsletter.
Sharing the essay has become my Earth Day tradition and as I read it again this year I noticed something new. When I first wrote it, were many people with whom I would not dare reveal these wild thoughts and a only few with whom I spent time enjoying long conversations. In meetings with members over these past few weeks, it began to dawn on me that My vision for Hong Kong is becoming real — rooftop gardens, the harbourfront promenade, electric cars and energy efficient buildings — these were only really big dreams just 10 years ago. On my way to a meeting the other day, I suddenly realized that I had never even imagined I would one day see yoga teachers in Central carrying their mats and hanging out at organic, raw and vegan restaurants.
I had started HK heartbeat In 2001 because I recognized how difficult it was for like-minded people to connect with each other and have real conversations that went beyond expensive toys, hot stocks, trendy accessories, the latest club and plans for the next weekend escape. It wasn’t easy being green in Hong Kong. Finding local content and contacts in those early days of the internet (long before social media) was a challenge we all shared. It was also important to accept that most of the people in my life were not at all interested and not afraid to tell me so, with many advising me to get a real job. As the community grew, the next hurdle was teaching myself the tools to manage the list and publish the weekly newsletter more efficiently. The network was growing and more people were seeking me out in their search for natural products, services and programs available in Hong Kong.
Today, green has become “very cool and popular” and separating truth from trend is the next challenge.
Technology connects us more easily than ever. In those early days, green-washing didn’t exist because only those with a personal passion entered the market, investing huge amounts of time and energy to pay the rent and growing their business by sharing practical information to like-minded customers.
In an environment where businesses and professionals come and go at the speed of light, where rising rents mean regular moves and where events are held in the most innovative and interesting locations, much of my time is now spent just keeping the growing network up to date with authentic information.
My commitment remains the same as it was those 15 years ago — supporting our growing conscious community and sharing fresh content and connections that can make your hectic life a little easier. The conversation has finally reached the board room and discussions held tomorrow will carry over into the weekend as volunteers connect with each other while cleaning local beaches.
If you are ready for a real conversation with real people over real food, join our next SoulFood Social next Thursday in Central.
Earth Day is 45 years young tomorrow and I am super proud of how far we have come here in a very short space of time.
How will you celebrate the change?
Naturally,
Founder & Publisher
www.heartbeat.com.hk
natural life in the fast lane
Listen to your own heartbeat.
“Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another.” Juvenal
SoulFood Social by HK heartbeat
Join our casual conscious gathering on April 30 in Central
Get together with friends and meet new connections with a common interest in all things natural. Share the wealth of experience and knowledge in our HK heartbeat community. Our next gathering will be held on Thursday 30 April at Linguini Fini over fresh, delightful treats. Some of our HK heartbeat business members will be on hand to share ideas on making conscious lifestyle choices with the least amount of effort. We gather every month. Sometimes there are a few of us, sometimes there are more. Each event is unique and the discussion is inspired every single time. We would love for you to join us … naturally.
ENQUIRIES : soulfoodsocial@heartbeat.com.hk | TEL : +852 6628 6153 – Kinzie
QUICK LINK : event details | WEBSITE : heartbeat.com.hk
The Release Effect
Ray Lewis is in Hong Kong April 16-28
Become more pro-active and less re-active. The Release Effect was created to help you let go of recurring, irrational negative feelings. In a series of 3 relaxing and empowering private guided meditations, you will be assisted to let go of old emotional baggage without needing to delve into the past. The Release Effect is about allowing you to change the feeling paradigms of your mind so you find it easier to change your thinking and behavior. The Release Effect addresses any negative feeling you know is not necessary but keeps triggering anyway. Booking is now available by appointment only for private session in Hong Kong from April 16-28. Get in touch with Ray to arrange an explanation by phone or Skype. Experience real freedom that is the freedom from within … read more
ENQUIRIES : TheReleaseEffect@hotmail.com | Tel +852 9748 7538 (16-28 April)
QUICK LINK : Read more about The Release Effect | WEBSITE : TheReleaseEffect.com
This week on the calendar
21 > Creating Shared Value > CSR Asia
21 > Family Constellations | contact SOL Wellness
21 > Get Ready for Spring with Chinese Medicine | contact Balance Health
21 > Emotional Healing | contact Michelle Harris
21 > Tuning into Happiness | contact Shveitta Sethi
21 > Meaningful Innovation | contact HK PolyU
22 – Earth Day
22 – Sustaining Humanity Amidst Climate Change | contact Asia Society
22 – An Evening of Yoga and Food | contact Charlotte Douglas
22 – Dinner Social | contact Meat Free Hong Kong
22 – Learn to Meditate | contact Art of Ascension
22 – Naturopathic Detox | contact IMI
23 > Kids Ocean Day | contact Ocean Recovery Alliance
23 > Tap Into Gratitude | contact SOL Wellness
23 > Detox Your Thoughts | contact All About You Centre
23 > Spiritual Free Jazz | contact Red Doors Studio
23-24 > Social Innovation Workshop | contact The Good Lab
24 > Overcome Fertility Issues | contact SOL Wellness
24 > Money and Consciousness | contact Renu Singh
25-26 > Enneagram Workshop | contact Karma Consultants
22 – Innovating for a Sustainable World | contact Asia Society
25 > Yoga Massage Workshop | contact SOL Wellness
25 > Cheung Chau Beach Clean Up | contact Green Sustainable Living HK
25 > Pebbles Beach Pak Kok Clean Up | contact Living Lamma
26 > Funday Volunteering at HK Permaclub | contact Green Sustainable Living HK
26 > Cancer-free Living | contact SOL Wellness
26 > Egyptian Healing | request event details
26 > IMT for Chronic Back Pain | contact Integrated Medicine Institute
26 > Silent Disco Yoga Class | contact The Yoga Room
26 > Passover Feast > Slow Food Hong Kong
26 – Meat Free Sunday Lunch Social | contact Meat Free Hong Kong
28 > The Healing Power of Touch | contact The Sanctuary
28 > Veggie Potluck and Green Chat | request event details
Sponsored listings include a link to details; Contact the organizer or Natural Concierge for events about details without links.
Fresh listings on the website directory
Guidance Light – International healers, workshops, crystals, jewelry, books, music, personal care products > details
Angela Spaxman – Career and Leadership Coach; insight and career support for managers and professionals > details
Michelle Tanmizi – life counselling and business skills training for groups and individuals > details
Allen Dorcas – Personal sessions, meditation courses > details
Phil Davies – Meditation, self-connection and healing > details
Fiona McKeand – Treating clients using hypnotherapy for a range of conditions > details
Shveitta Sethi – Working with clients to practice happiness as a skill and a habit > details
Deborah Dewey – Private hypnotherapy and detox consultations > details
The Hummingfish Foundation – Adding value to nature through community partnership > details
CARE Counselling – adult individuals and couples around family issues and transitions, relationships > details
Click the link to visit the website directory listing; contact the Natural Concierge for more.
