This week, we acknowledge the art of receiving.
When we board an airplane with small children, a vital safety instruction is to put on our own mask first. People working in service industries often burn out when client needs outweigh their energy but the desire to help wins out. Living in a world where greed is a major contributor to many social problems, it is not uncommon for those led by compassion to err on the side of generosity at the cost of their own personal health or wealth.
I was raised to believe that selfish is the greatest sin. In church, I was taught it was better to give than to receive.
As a woman, I was valued for woman’s work. The joke of barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen was a thinly veiled truth. Growing up, I was well prepared for my only acceptable role as wife and mother.
Gender roles were very clear: men have and women do.
Neither of my parents is educated past year 8 and I was the first in my family of 46 first cousins to graduate high school. Attending university meant not telling anyone I had applied and leaving home on a night my parents were out at the neighbors in order to avoid the argument. When I arrived, I knew no one in my class and I worked my way through 4 years with part time jobs to cover the costs.
When I set out on my own to explore a different life, there were no role models or mentors available. Agreeing to a salary was straightforward but once I set up my own business, setting a rate for my time was not so simple. It was especially tricky since I had been raised to believe that if I was to be paid for my time, I might as well go to the city and work a street corner.
It was a different time.
There is a delicate balance when taking care of others to ensure we are taking care of ourselves. Living with a deficit of energy is unsustainable. Unlike the movie, life is not a field of dreams. We can build it but we must also invite people to pay when they play and be totally okay when they choose something else.
Learning self care is a particular challenge, forever altering my established concepts of self worth and generosity.
In creating HK heartbeat and maintaining free access to nurture a vibrant Natural Hong Kong community, I built on my marketing experience and have developed a set of skills and connections available to anyone starting or setting up any kind of business. I have also gained a lot of knowledge about holistic living to share with anyone who would like to book some time with me and discover how to enjoy a little more balance.
Determined to learn from my mistakes, I took a bit of advice last week and set up a new tool where you can now give — a little or a lot, it’s up to you.
One of life’s important lessons is learning how to receive.
Have you received?
Naturally,
Founder & Publisher
www.heartbeat.com.hk
natural life in the fast lane
Listen to your own heartbeat.
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill
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Events in Hong Kong this week
Featured event listings include a link to details – submit your event
24 (10am-12pm) Flavourful Ferments | details
25 (11am-12:30pm) Less Stress, More Joy In Pregnancy | details
24 (7-8pm) Agarwood Investment Evening | details
25 (7-9pm) Fermented Vegetable Workshop | details
25 (7-9pm) Millennium Method Group Session | details
26-28 Fasting Retreat | details
27 (2-5pm) Wellbeing Through Creativity | details
27 (3pm) Doga with Snowball and Friends | details
27-28 Heal Body, Mind, Emotions and Soul | details
27-28 Play in the Tak Festival | details
28 (2-3:30pm) Free Community Drum Jam at the Harbour | details
More : Visit the February calendar
Coming up
March 1 In The Footsteps Of The Buddha | Asia Society HK
March 10-12 LOHAS Expo and Veg Food Asia
March 19 (8:30pm) Earth Hour | WWF Hong Kong
March 25 – April 5 Permaculture Design Course at Ark Eden
April 7 Farmer Reskilling Course
April 17 & 24 Animal Communication Workshop
More: visit the 2016 calendar
Schedules change without notice — contact organizers to confirm details.
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Hong Kong’s first natural community is connecting thousands of individuals, businesses and organizations, sharing 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
