Stepping back

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not”Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” Marcus Aurelius a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” Marcus Aurelius

This week, we are stepping back to take a closer look.

At a gathering last Thursday to celebrate 10 Years of Green Drinks, it became clear that we have come a long way and we have a long way to go.

We heard about trees and transport, waste and water, fish and families, diversions and diversity, pollution and plant-based diets, glass and goals in talks by Merrin Pearse, Paul Zimmerman, Andy Cornish, Fern Ngai, Bobsy Gaia, Gavin Coates, Bess Hepworth and Fiona Donnelly with a special video appearance from co-founder Jaqui Dixon. All presentations (including mine) are available for your viewing pleasure in the HK Green Drinks group.

As our need for connection evolves over time, the evening served as a perfect reminder of my own purpose — nurturing positive energy in Hong Kong.

Community is in my DNA. Growing up in the middle of nowhere, we provided basic emergency services to each other. I remember when I was young and all of the local farmers pulled their combines out of the fields and risked a whole year’s income during the precious few days of harvest to take my bachelor uncle’s crops off. A neighbour had noticed him stopped as he drove past on the way home for lunch and seen that the swather was still running in the same place when he returned an hour later. The fabric of his new coveralls had caught in the drive shaft and trapped him there. I still recall him cursing those new coveralls, usually content to wear his grease-stained, ragged old favourites. A leg was lost (below the knee) but a life was saved that day because someone was paying attention. I remember the compassion and the communion among the women who showed up at our house with heaps of home-cooked, home-grown food and stayed around the clock to feed the crews until the job was done.

It was a life where we looked out for each other all the time. The next house was a mile away, 2 one-room schoolhouses held 30 students for grades 1-6 a couple of miles across the lake, high school was 16 miles west and the city was 16 miles north. We organized all of our own social events in the local school that doubled as the community hall for picnics, dances and talent shows. Every birth, wedding and holiday was celebrated pot luck in the church basement with local entertainment from few girls singing Country Roads accompanied by yours truly on the piano. The tractor was pulled out regularly to pull a someone out of the ditch and no one would ever consider driving past a stopped car on a remote highway at -40C. There were no strangers.

While my existence today doesn’t reflect the same kind of life-and-death situations, I recognize how much of my life force is fueled by sharing a purpose with passionate, intelligent, thoughtful, caring people. Surrounded by criticism and problems and gloom and doom, I find it essential to surround myself with friends who are also determined to make a positive difference in our world.

Finding our people in Hong Kong is a key to happiness. As part of my contribution to the celebration last week, I shared my (still relevant) vision for Hong Kong from 2003 and compiled a guide to HK Conscious Communities with a few tips to grow your own.

Doing good to feel good is an easy shortcut to balance when living a life in the fast lane.

Having taken the time to step back and look at the bigger picture, see familiar faces, share fresh ideas and make new friends, I feel rejuvenated and more supported than ever. The next step is my annual Natural Holiday Guide (see last year) … coming shortly.

Where do you go to find perspective?

Naturally,

kinziesignature

Founder & Publisher
www.heartbeat.com.hk
natural life in the fast lane

Everything is connected.
Listen to your own heartbeat.

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” Marcus Aurelius


Be social


Say hello to our new members

dragonfly – Educational holistic well-being centre established offering individual sessions and classes > details

AcquaVibe – Water filtration system using natural pressure without electricity > details

Wendy LamIntegrative manual therapist, craniosacral therapist and physiotherapist > details

More >> Members | DirectoryFeatures | Listings | Guides | Join


Events in our community this week

Print | Details | Submit Event | Featured Events


21 (6:30-9:30pm) Release Neck and Shoulder Tension | Tian Yan Nei Gong Centre | details

22 (6-9pm) Nutrition, Exercise and Children’s Brain Health | Kalli Marketing Consultancy | details

22 (6:30-7:30pm) Increase your Energy | Culture of Consciousness | details

23 (6-9pm) Raw Chocolate Evening | Food Linkers | details

23 (7-9pm) Chai and Chat | Little Alchemy | details

23-24 (7:30-19:30pm) Crystal Chakra Healing | Thee Spiritual Source | details

23 (7:30-9:45pm) Meet your Angels | The Sanctuary | details

23-25 Team Coaching Foundation Program | Transcend International Group | details

24 (6:30-8pm) Challenges and Choices in Times of Uncertainty | Raja Yoga Meditation Centre | details

24 (7-10pm) Mother’s Choice Fundraising Dinner | Eloquence HK | details

24 (7-8:30pm) Reboot and Rebalance | Red Doors Studio | details

24-26 Smart Mobility in Smart City | Expo HK | details

25 (1-2pm) Women Entrepreneur Gathering | Little Alchemy | details

25-27 Clockenflap | details

25-27 Share Inner Love Pop-Up | Luxarity | details

26 (11am-2pm) Shamanic Skills | Thee Spiritual Source | details

26 (5:30pm) Spectrum of Life Yoga Teacher Training | Gecko Yoga | details

26 & 27 Walk for Nature | WWF Hong Kong | details

27 (8:45-11:30am) Hike and Yoga | The Yoga Room | details

28-10 Dec Global Leaders Programme | Global Institute for Tomorrow | details

Coming up

Dec 2 Community Caroling

Dec Plasmatic

Dec 3-4 Treasure Island 20th Anniversary Luau

Dec 10  Fish for Trash

Dec 10 Ark Eden’s 10th Anniversary Party

Dec 10-11 Southside Urban Retreat

Dec 17  The Great Big Clothing Drive

Join as a personal member for fresh content and connections … naturally.

Be social


Fresh directory updates

Here are some of our new and updated listings on the directory …

Animals Asia Foundation – Hong Kong-based charity dedicated to ending cruelty and restoring respect for all animals > details

Green Drinks – Networking for anyone interested in environmental and social issues, sustainable development and CSR > details

Fair Trade Hong Kong – Promoting fair trade to alleviate poverty, reduce inequality and contribute to a sustainable future > details

Sea Shepherd Global – Defending, conserve and protect marine species and habitats > details

Plastic-free Seas – Changing in the way we view and use plastics in society today > details

More >> Members | DirectoryFeatures | Listings | Guides | Join


Fresh content and local connections for everyday choices since 2001 … naturally

Hong Kong’s only natural network connects individuals, businesses and organizations, shares fresh content and authentic connections for clean, green, healthy living products, services and programs. With everything from acupuncture to zero-waste solutions, our members have everything you’re looking for — even when you’re not sure what you’re looking for — chemical-free health and beauty, lifestyle services, whole food, sustainable fashion, eco-style, green gadgets and more … naturally.

Photo by Kinzie

Author: love

Information and communications for transformation ... naturally.