by Adele Leung, a woman and perpetual student, Discovery Bay, Hong Kong
Dear Women of Hong Kong,
(Hong Kong – a fast paced cosmopolitan, high spending financial centre of the East)
We have worked so hard, sped so fast, endlessly, tirelessly in action, in constant motion, in building up what we all wish for – recognition, is it not?
We have shown everyone that we can do everything a man can, or more, or better. We know how to dress up, run a meeting, hold a conference, host a large dinner party and discipline kids who misbehave. We are the spotlight of the party, the sexy wife, with flawless and age-proof skin.
Yet, beloved women of Hong Kong, do we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to be still, to have a moment to just be? No, money cannot buy vulnerability, and yes, vulnerability can be messy or difficult. Who wants to be seen when they are messy or ‘real’ – right? What is real is not always pretty, or flawless, it cannot be forgotten with a few drinks, mended by a trip to the beauty salon or even a gung-ho mission. It can be distracted or numbed from, albeit only temporarily. Boy oh boy, and doesn’t it get messier and uglier when it cannot be covered up anymore!
Vulnerability brings us to an honesty and a truth-fullness we have never experienced before. And with honesty, there is now a chance to truly move – a move which does not require rushing, not sleeping, not eating, overeating or escaping, but rather a movement in which we begin to see how this body deserves to be loved, and not abused.
Vulnerability is not weakness, it is an entry to gentleness, and through gentleness we get to meet face to face with Grace. There is no price tag on Grace, beloved women, none whatsoever, but it may just be the most worthwhile thing we will ever come across – to remember love again.
With love to all women of Hong Kong, all women in the world, all men in the world, all beings, physical and non – this is a letter to you and to me.
Adele