This week we are slowing down to speed up.
One of my favorite things about Hong Kong is her efficiency. As far as the fast lane goes, this city moves on the global super-highway. Though the big boys generally get all the attention, ours is a can-do city run mostly by small entrepreneurs who get shit done. I am constantly in awe at the efficiency of local small business owners who accomplish a lot with a little and do it all in record time.
Even though the summer heat has slowed the pace significantly, the energy here still runs high. We rush to get to the beach and push to catch up after holidays. I am reminded of life growing up on the farm where I learned how important it is to make hay while the sun shines. Now living a completely different life, I wonder if this program is lodged somewhere in my DNA, especially when I find myself feeling the challenge of taking things slowly.
And it just keeps happening. Having successfully recovered from my April incident, I spent last week back on the floor, allowing the muscles to release their tension from packing and moving and settling into my new home. I did too much too soon and got the gentle reminder I need to walk my talk in order to prevent a repeat emergency surgery. Now is the time to consider resuming my yoga practice and take my own advice to relax or reach out to our bodywork specialists for their expert advice. Being unable to sit, stand or walk is the body asking to slow down and prevent another crash.
But I did not prevent the crash altogether. Eager to make it even easier for you to find what you’re looking for, I was updating the layout of the website directory home page the other day. It was a sunny morning and the blue sky was calling me for a long overdue date with nature. I decided to finish one more thing. So confident was I to replace the file, I forgot what happened in 2013 when I blew out the entire navigation structure with a single keystroke. Fortunately, I remembered my earlier mistake and did not upload the file, so damage to the site is minimal. In that one rushed second I created hundreds of hours of new work for myself.
It will take weeks to rebuild the thousands of links for all 1,500 pages of lovingly hand-coded, organized and categorized listings. Even I am surprised by how many there are and I am enjoying a rare sense of achievement at what I have created over the years.
I plan to learn from my mistake (again) and remember to slow down. Working with improved mindfulness, I am startled by the number of times I catch myself having to make corrections from typing too fast, cleaning up a mess after moving too fast and missing a key message while reading too fast. I am letting go of the idea it is always quicker to do things myself and grateful for members who also promote natural options. Ecozine is cultivating green thumbs. Green Queen shares a vegan burger recipe when we are ready to pass on the beef. And I like to think the Business Environment Council heard my rant last week when they selected Optimising Building Energy Performance as the topic for their August 27 networking event.
I have started the directory rebuild with the children and families section to share some family fun for that time of year when attention turns to school but the kids are still home with time on their hands. The next time you have plans to be in Sheung Wan, make your own date with slow. Pick up a fresh Mediterranean lunch at at Maya Cafe‘s new takeaway counter and wander over to nearby Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park for a rare and relaxing urban picnic.
August is the slow before the fast and I would love to fully install the slowdown program into my lifestyle before September’s lure of back-to-school calls me to pick up the pace. The Natural & Organic Products Expo will be my next big test as I do my best to catch up with everyone while maintaining a calm, steady pace — asking the rabbit to step aside to make way for the turtle. I always manage to get done what needs to be done and there is always someone there, ready to lend a hand when I get the courage to ask.
In a world that is speeding up every day, where we are expected to reply to emails within 24 hours, where children are scheduled out of a childhood, where sex between parents is planned, where not seeing friends for months is considered normal, slow is not often celebrated.
I recognize is in my nature to go against the grain and perhaps this is one of those times to make it really work for me.
How might you go fast slowly?
Naturally,
Founder & Publisher
www.heartbeat.com.hk
natural life in the fast lane
Listen to your own heartbeat.
“Sweet flowers are slow and weeds make haste.” –William Shakespeare
Natural & Organic Products Asia
Business the natural way – August 26-28 at HKCEC
Now in the second year, Natural & Organic Products Asia is the premier business event for the natural and organic industry to engage and promote natural, sustainable and healthy lifestyles, natural and organic products. Following the success of last year, the Asian edition has established in Hong Kong to facilitate continued growth of the natural and organic industry in Asia. The event is a regional trade platform with more than 100 local and international exhibitors connecting with buyers from around the region. Open to trade and invited guests, the expo will be held at Hall 3DE, HK Convention and Exhibition Centre.
ENQUIRIES : +852 3958 0524 Ivy Lam (Wo)
EMAIL : wo@naturalproducts.com.hk
REGISTER : Open to trade and invited guests
WEBSITE : naturalproducts.com.hk
The Dogstar Academy Awards
Advance tickets now on sale for HKDR’s annual gala fundraiser
Gather your Extreme Hollywood finest and join Hong Kong Dog Rescue for the Annual Fundraising Gala Dinner from 6pm until late on Saturday 19 September 2015. The red carpet will be rolled out at the Aberdeen Marina Club Ballroom 6pm when guests can sip pre-dinner cocktails while having fun with the many side entertainments or checking out the fabulous auction items for both live and silent auction during the evening. Live entertainment will keep the party mood going during a delicious 3-course dinner. The primary goal of the Dogstar Academy Awards is to raise one million dollars to support ongoing daily operations and to help us save more lives. Event sponsorship is now available and donations are welcome for auction, lucky draw and table prizes. Be a best friend to man’s best friend.
QUICK LINK : HKDR Gala Fundraiser
CONTACT : Hong Kong Dog Rescue (Gala Event Team)
EMAIL : events@hongkongdogrescue.com
WEBSITE : Hong Kong Dog Rescue
Aberdeen Street Special
Our new partner would love to take 10% off your bill
Discover our quiet, green haven located between Staunton Street and Caine Road with an outdoor terrace and relaxing atmosphere. Our selection of Mediterranean dishes and everyday brunch includes signature salads, and sharing plates, mussels and oysters and meat dishes served without compromising on quality or sustainability. Food is served all day and the evening comes with great music and cocktails. We run a kid friendly place, where children can enjoy their special menu, draw on the chalk walls and play in the public playground in front of the terrace. Free WIFI inside and outside; delivery with $100 minimum; private functions.
HK heartbeat Personal Members : Save 10% (except promotions)
CONTACT : Aberdeen Street
TEL : +852 2546 5833
EMAIL : contact@aberdeenstreet.com.hk
WEBSITE : aberdeenstreet.com.hk
ADDRESS : UG/F King Ho Building, 41-49 Aberdeen Street, Central
QUICK LINK : Aberdeen Street Special
Hong Kong events this month
Sponsored events include links. Contact organizers for other details.
1 (6-8pm) Ancestral Healing Journey | All About You Wellness Centre
1 (8am) Awake Yoga | Isofit
2 (10am-7pm) Soul Mate Relationships | All About You Wellness Centre
3 (6-9pm) Creativity in Asia | request details
3-8, 24-29 HK Young Leaders Program | Global Institute for Tomorrow
3 (6:15pm) Meditation for Beginners | HK Insight Meditation Society
4 (10am-1pm) Kids Meditation Summer Camp | Michelle Harris
4 (6:30-8pm) Introduction to Tarot | The Oriental Spa
4 (7:30pm) Dinner at Joyous Vegetarian | Meat Free Hong Kong
4 (7:30pm) Movie Night – Hungry For Change | request details
5 (1pm) Can ESG Add Alpha? | ASrIA
7 (1pm) Lunch at M Garden | Meat Free Hong Kong
8-9 (10am-6pm) Shamaic Workshop | All About You Wellness Centre
8 (10am-2pm) Deepen Your Intuition | Sommer Life
8 (1-3pm) A Trip to the Past and Healthy Lunch | Alive Wellness
9 (9:15am-5pm) Inner Self – Outer Island | Jill Marshall
10 Kakulu Meditation Circle | Jenny Kakulu Kam
12 (9:30am-4pm) Plastic Free Seas Classroom Excursion | Plastic-free Seas
12 (9:30am-4pm) Plastic Free Seas Classroom Excursion | Plastic-free Seas
12 (7:30pm) Dinner at Bodhisattva | Meat Free Hong Kong
12 (6:30-8pm) Eliminate Stress in Less than 10 Minutes | The Oriental Spa
12 (7:30-9pm) Outdoor Yoga | request details
12 Healing Workshop | Peter Fan
15 (10am-4pm) Wickes Way Level 1 | Richard Wickes
15 (2-5:30pm) Artful Journeying | Red Doors
15 (8pm) TranscenDance Project : Children of War | request details
15 Fifth Dimensional Meditation | Karma Consultants
17 (7-9pm) The Aura Phenomenon | The Sanctuary Hong Kong
20 (7-9pm) Connecting to Spirit | The Sanctuary Hong Kong
21 Childrens Yoga Teacher Training | Gecko Yoga
23 & 30 (11am-6pm) Animal Communication Workshop | Animal Talk Ltd
23 (11am-5pm) Raising Awareness | The Sanctuary Hong Kong
23 Kakulu Meditation Circle | Jenny Kakulu Kam
23 Healing Workshop | Peter Fan
24 Basic Standup Comedy Class | TakeOut Comedy Club
24 Isis Alchemy Healing Practice | Jenny Kakulu Kam
26-28 (10am) Natural & Organic Products Asia | Diversified Communications
26 (6:45-9:30pm) Brainstorm Your Business and Career | Angela Spaxman
26 Exploring the Origins of Stars | The Royal Geographical Society HK
26 (7-8:30pm) Circle of Love, Healing & Meditation | The Sanctuary Hong Kong
27 (6:30-8:30pm) Optimising Building Energy | Business Environment Council
28 (10am-4pm) Wickes Way Level 1 | Richard Wickes
28 Psychic Intuition Basic Training Course | Jenny Kakulu Kam
29-30 Chakra Balancing | Red Doors
29 Transformation through Orgonite Craftsmanship | Karma Consultants
30 (2-6pm) Unanswered Questions Answered | The Sanctuary Hong Kong
31 (6:30-8pm) Women’s Education and Empowerment | Asia Society Hong Kong
31 (7-10pm) Conscious Connective Breathing | The Sanctuary Hong Kong
- Paid listings have links; contact organizers for details
- Get in touch to request details or an introduction
- Subscribe for fresh weekly updates by email
Coming up | Request details
September 7-13 Meditation Course
September 16 Meditation & Yoga Workshop
September 12-13 (10am) BioGeometry Training
September 19 (10am) Clean Pak Sha Wan Day
September 19 (6pm) HKDR Gala Fundraiser
September 20 (3-5pm) The Shadow in the Moon
October 27 Sustainability is everyone’s business
- Subscribe for fresh weekly updates by email.
Fresh listings on the website directory
Pole Divas – HK’s first pole fitness dancing studio opened in 2004
Raj Tiwari – Professional counselling for self confidence and performance
Catalo Natural Health Foods – Natural supplements and organic foods
Project Mexo – News and internet live conferences with Exopolitics experts
Shine Body & Soul Healing Centre – Reiki healing sessions, workshop and seminars
MAYYA Movement – Women’s health and wellness solutions for balanced living
Spa Retreat – Traditional therapies using flower and plant essences from the earth
Class Cruiser – Monthly membership for unlimited group fitness classes in Hong Kong
- Support HK heartbeat by connecting with our business members.
- Contact our Natural Concierge if you would like us to make an introduction.
- Register or introduce someone you love to Hong Kong’s original natural network.
Join the fun
We’re making it easy to make conscious choices … naturally
HK heartbeat is Hong Kong’s first and only natural living community. Our vibrant network of personal and business members has hundreds of active participants sharing fresh content and local connections since 2001. Times have changed since we started and it is getting even easier because now we are connected on social media, too. Discover clean, green, healthy products, services and programs. Stay in touch with what’s new and what’s on. Get a little help from theNatural Concierge to find what you’re looking for. Enjoy private offers and join us at tastings and talks with our business members and meet people who share your interest in all things natural.
QUICK LINK : Membership Application
CONTACT : Kinzie | T: +852 6628 6253
EMAIL : kinzie@heartbeat.com.hk
Conscious everyday choices since 2001 … naturally
We love sharing fresh content and local connections with anyone who shares our passion for the luxury of wellness and prosperity in balance. Offering products, services and programs for everything from acupuncture to zero-waste solutions, our community has everything you’re looking for — even when you’re not sure what you’re looking for. Explore natural life in the fast lane and discover integrative healing, chemical-free beauty, green lifestyle services, whole food, sustainable fashion, intuitive experts, eco gadgets, responsible finance, farm to table dining, conservation, social networks and more …
Photo by Kinzie
