This week, we are spring-cleaning.
After what seems like months of holidays, it is time to clear out the old and create space for the new. This happens on so many levels — mind traffic, emotional baggage, physical possessions — and it is all connected.
One of my biggest challenges is throwing out something that still has life left in it, whether I think I might use it or someone else can use it. Glass jars are re-used for food storage containers. Plastic zip bags are re-purposed to organize household items and office paperwork. Worn towels become cleaning cloths. A lot of re-using goes on inside before the recyclables go out.
Although recycling has finally arrived in Hong Kong, there is still a long way to go. We are accepting that a designer product doesn’t need to still have the tag on to feel new. Celebrities are wearing vintage. Stylists are updating looks with a few fresh accessories. A Chinese New Year decorating update doesn’t mean heaps for the landfill. A new office doesn’t always need new office furniture. Heritage buildings are escaping the developers and getting a new life. Just because we’re done with it, doesn’t mean its done with.
Clearing our physical space is a balancing act. Finding out what can be re-used and figuring out how to re-cycle is a learning curve. We do our best with the time we have to inform ourselves, reach out to others who have the knowledge we are looking for and surround ourselves with people who share our values. Making conscious decisions then becomes fun, a whole lot easier and perhaps even profitable — not to mention how it eases the mind and lifts the spirit to enter a freshly-cleared space, knowing that none of that stuff went to waste.
Businesses are beginning to create new models that convert what used to be trash into cool cash.
Retailers are launching business that profit from re-using and upcycling home furnishings. Boutique beverage companies are collecting and refilling their own bottles. Recycling businesses are offering new services to leverage our love for convenience and capitalize on the lack of collection infrastructure. Innovative 3D printers can use plastic bottles. Online communities facilitate free exchange. Coffee companies are inviting customers to bring back plastic lids — if you really need one. Energy companies are realizing the high value of captured energy in plastics.
“Their (recovered plastics) energy value (45 megajoules/kilogram) is closer to oil (48 MJ/Kg) than coal (26 MJ/kg) yet society continues to mine coal for energy while throwing waste plastic in landfills.” – plastics.ca
A growing threat to our seas, plastic is one of this issues addressed by the Ocean Recovery Alliance, organizer of the Ocean in Motion Film Festival which opens this week. Fashion is also on the agenda with your choice of 2 fashion charity drives this weekend (Fashion for Good and Luxarity) to support your spring cleaning efforts. I am particularly excited about I Used To Be An Umbrella — a clever design workshop to convert broken umbrellas into cute carry bags — that was created on the streets of Hong Kong last autumn.
There is so much happening in the HK heartbeat community that it is getting more difficult to keep up with all the events, but this is very happy problem to have. You may have noticed the new calendar format — each listing includes an event title (sponsored listings include a link) and you can click through to contact the organizer for details. The Natural Concierge will supply information for events without links. The new design was born out of my desire to share more conscious living connections with you every week.
Before I leave you, I wish to pay my respects to the family and many, many friends who said good-bye last week to one of Hong Kong’s original eco-moms. Jacky Andrews and her husband were founding members of the Living Island Movement. Along with her family, Jacky touched the lives of many — developing and leading local environmental education and awareness programs for decades. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to The Christina Noble Children’s Foundation attention Mongolia Sponsorship Coordinator. We can honor her memory with continued respect for our natural world and by modeling conscious lifestyle actions for our children.
It is never too late. It is never to soon. The time is always right now.
How do you pay your respect?
Naturally,
Founder & Publisher
www.heartbeat.com.hk
natural life in the fast lane
Listen to your own heartbeat.
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” – William Morris
The Release Effect
Ray Lewis returns to HK 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/SMS +49 160 9333 4482 | Tel +852 9748 7538 from 16-28 April
QUICK LINK : Read more about The Release Effect
WEBSITE : TheReleaseEffect.com
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
This week on the calendar
13 > Moving Steps | contact Sheryl Feniger
14 > Fertility and Hormones | contact Richard Wickes
14 > Spreading the Light | contact Lightworkers Centre
14 > Nutrition Workshop | contact Isofit
14 > The Teachability of Knowledge | contact HK Philosophy Cafe
15-10 > Ocean in Motion Film Festival | contact Ocean Recovery Alliance
15 > The Politics of Design | contact HK Polyu
15 > HK China Pole Championships | contact Pole Divas
15 > Meditation Made Easy | contact Integrated Medicine Institute
15 > Dinner Social | contact Meat Free Hong Kong
15 > First Aid Homeopathy for the Family | contact Integrated Medicine Institute
16-17 > Dialogue for HK’s Future | contact Global Institute for Tomorrow
16 > Business in Community | contact AmCham
16 > TEDx Star Ferry Social | contact TEDx Hong Kong
16 > Urban Health Pop-up Kitchen: From Africa to Asia | contact Prana Yum
16 > Mindful Parenting | contact HK Insight Meditation Society
16 > Pregnancy & Childbirth | contact Integrated Medicine Institute
16 > Understanding Homeopathy | contact Balance Health
17-18 > Luxarity Charity Drive | contact Luxarity
17-18 > Fashion For Good Clothing Drive | contact HandsOn Hong Kong
17 & 24 > Children’s Meditation | contact Michelle Harris
18-26 > Ayurvedic Yoga Massage Training Workshops | contact The Yoga Room
18 > Eco-responsible Fish Farm Visit | contact CanCham
18 > Never Stop | contact TEDx Hong Kong
18 > The Money Game | contact HK Tarot Centre
18 > I Used To Be An Umbrella – Workshop and FarmFresh Dinner | request details
18 > Family Yoga and Brunch | contact Living Alive Conscious Living
19 > Triple Zero Run & Walk | contact Aids Concern
19 > Mindfulness with Aromatherapy | contact Christina Paul
20 > Sleepless in Hong Kong | request event details
20 > The Release Effect | contact Reflections
Fresh listings on the directory
Deirdre Butler – offering healing art workshops, dance groups and women’s sexuality sharing circles … get details
Alive Wellness – Natural health clinic offering acupuncture … get details
Claire Graham – Natural psychic and medium who is a clairvoyant, clairaudient and clairsentient … get details
House of Light – Services and workshops for healing, self-empowerment and conscious awareness … get details
Living Islands Movement – A community organization that promotes sustainable islands development … get details
The Sanctuary – Holistic wellness services and programs … get details
Living Alive Conscious Events – Spreading conscious capitalism with creative events … get details
Greenway Development Centre – Bach flower remedy; Satir family therapy; green life education … get details
Neal’s Yard – Handmade, eco-responsible, vegan personal care products … get details
Bejuiced – Cold pressed juice detox available in 1-day, 3-day and 6-day cleanses … get details
Crave Healthy Food – Nutrition, fitness and coaching combining personal exercise with food delivery … get details
Doctor Urso’s Fitness & Wellbeing – Performance and wellness testing to advise on diet and training … get details
