This week, we are healing without drama.
I am sending an extra helping of love to anyone who struggles to accept the reality of same-gender relationships.
In our culture of righteous intolerance, accepting our differences can be a challenge — especially in a society that actively cultivates fear and separation.
Growing up Christian in a remote, rural, farming community, I was taught all the sins in church every Sunday. In my world, gender roles were very clear and very specific: men have and women do. I questioned when told the farm would be divided 3 ways: “But you have 6 kids” … “If you girls can’t find someone to marry you and take care of you, then I don’t feel sorry for you.”
I rebelled.
Though not the oldest, I was the first in my family to graduate high school and the first of my 46 cousins to attend university. Mine was the only university application in a class of 36 graduating from high school and I didn’t say anything to my parents until I was accepted. I found a part time job and a place to live and moved out one night while they were out visiting neighbors.
When I returned on Saturdays to teach my piano students, I learned to live with teasing from a family that did not support the education of women. I am sure they wanted the best for me but their idea of best was a little different than mine.
As I grew older, I worked hard to adopt a more open belief system and get past my discomfort and find acceptance, learning more about people through many diverse friendships and cultures.
Then, my childhood soul sister divorced her husband who was our friend from high school. Having already divorced when I was younger, this was not an issue. But when she entered into a relationship with a woman and they married, my initial reaction caught me off guard. I had to move through my own judgment and disappointment, but soon I realized her decision had nothing to do with sex and everything to do with love.
When we let go of being so hung up on sex, when we can separate the act from gender, we begin to recognize the relatively small part intercourse plays in any intimate relationship between two people who are devoted to a lifetime of growing together and expressing their love and learning from each other.
We have come a long way towards accepting mixed-color families and women in the boardroom and the abilities of people with physical disabilities and the importance of children being children and the reality of living with mental illness and the intrinsic value of all life and the basic rights of human beings everywhere.
Today, we have 50 + 53 reminders of the distance yet to cover.
Love is the only answer.
Who do you love?
Naturally,
Founder & Publisher
www.heartbeat.com.hk
natural life in the fast lane
Everything is connected.
Listen to your own heartbeat.
“Happiness can exist only in acceptance.” George Orwell
Events in Hong Kong this month
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14 (6:30-8:15pm) Tools for Self-Change | details
14 (7pm) Films 4 Change | details
14 (8pm) Helping the Homeless Jordan | details
15 (7–9pm) DIY Natural Personal Care and Cleaning | details
15 (7-8:30pm) Success for Cambodian Refugee Children | details
16 (6-9pm) Intensive Hip Opening | details
16 (6:30-8:15pm) Ancient Wisdom of Raja Yoga | details
16 (8pm) Kindness Walk | details
18 (9:15am-12:45pm) Gender and Urban Space | details
19 (7:30am-11:30am) International Day of Yoga | details
19 (10am-1:30pm) Champagne Zen Workshop | details
21 International Day of Yoga
Visit the June calendar
Coming up …
Jun 23 (8pm) Helping the Homeless Jordan | details
Nov 24-26 Smart Mobility in Smart City
Visit the 2016 calendar
Schedules change without notice — contact members to confirm details.
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Extend a warm heartbeat welcome
Meet our newest HK heartbeat business members.
Valentina Tudose – Dating and Relationship Coach; singles and couples > details
Falguni Mather – Counsellor and EFT Practitioner; emotional wellness > details
The Maya Institute – Dr Sonal Hattangdi-Haridas, Homeopathic Physician > details
Rhoda Choi – Hypnotherapist – addressing self-confidence, stress and sleep > details
Angela Hancock – Health and Wellness Coach – organic nutritional program > details
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