Living an Inspired Life

The poet, Mary Oliver's instruction to "pay attention, this is our endless and proper work," has always inspired my mindfulness practice.

In the small moments that feed our soul, staying open, alert and attentive to the gifts of the present remind us why we are here - to live, to love, to learn.

Women and Power

Little girls are seldom encouraged to be strong, assertive, demanding or, God forbid, powerful. Growing up in the Philippines, studying in all-girls convent schools, the nuns did not exactly prepare us to take charge and lead. Marriage was our calling, and obedience was our virtue. Yet, those nuns led these convent girls to the front lines during the People Power Revolution that toppled a dictator.

How did we do it? Armed only with bibles, rosaries and faith, we held hands, knelt down and prayed. In that moment when we found ourselves in front of a tank, I realized that I had the power to change my fate. Overthrowing a dictator by peaceful, even prayerful means, gave me my first taste of power, the power to make a difference.

Aging Fearlessly

We are living in an aging world, with 40.3 million Americans 65 years or older, expected to increase to 89 million by 2050. Population aging is changing societies on a global level, causing a wave of change fueled by this Silver Generation. 

As more seniors lead active lives, our philosophy of aging gracefully has shifted. 

Keynote Speech at the #FWNSummit2016

Filipina Women's Network posted : 

Angelica Berrie (Global FWN100™ '14) delivered her leadership keynote at the launch of FWN's second book on Filipina women leadership, DISRUPT 2.0: Filipina Women: Daring to Lead at the University of Cebu in Banilad during the #FWNSummit2016 on Monday, August 22, 2016. 

"One of the biggest handicaps women face is not the glass ceiling imposed on us by others but the ceiling of self-limiting fears that hold us back from achieving our fullest potential. To be a woman who leads and who wants to be a leader today in a world filled with complexities requires fearlessness. Fearlessness is a state of mind to be cultivated by enlightened leaders so they can bridge differences within communities and around the world." - Angelica Berrie, 13th Filipina Leadership Global Summit Keynote, August 22, 2016, Cebu City, Philippines

The transcript of the full keynote speech can be read at : 

http://www.filipinasummit.org/blog/angelica-berrie-when-you-touch-your-soul-you-become-fearless

Filipina Leadership Global Summit 2016

It is an exhilarating experience to be invited as a keynote speaker at the 2016 Summit of the Filipina Women's Network. 

The Filipina Leadership Global Summit is exclusively designed for the Global FWN100™ Awardees—Filipina women leaders creating change in the world of Filipinas in diaspora.

Each year, the Filipina Women’s Network explores these questions when designing the Filipina Summit’s intensive learning experience. 

The summit brings together Filipina women leaders from a variety of industries and countries to think collaboratively about the future of our respective communities, work, and leadership. 

The sessions, action group discussions, and personal reflections to help gain insights about the future of leadership as a Filipina woman. 

8 Bridges Hudson River Swim 2016

The 8 Bridges Hudson River Swim was an epic open swimming odyssey to celebrate the mighty Hudson and the New York Harbor. 

It highlights health and environmental issues of the river to raise awareness for the work of NYOW, Riverkeeper, and Launch 5, all organizations concerned with making the entire length of the Hudson a clean, sustainable and safe environment for all. 

From my perch along the Hudson, I witnessed the inspiring feat of swimmers who started from the George Washington Bridge to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge - a 19 mile journey dedicated to highlighting environmental challenges along the mighty Hudson River. 

2016 Genesis Prize Laureate Winner

I arrived in Jerusalem in time to attend a reception at Mayor Nir Barkat's home for 2016 Genesis Prize laureate winner, violinist Itzhak Perlman and celebrity emcee, Helen Mirren.

Itzhak Perlman

The Genesis Prize was founded in 2012 as a million dollar award given annually to an exceptional human being who has attained outstanding excellence and international renown in his or her chosen field, is a role model in the community and who can inspire the next generation of Jews worldwide. 

Broken Vessel

We all experience cracks, hard knocks and shattering as we journey through life. Mending as we transform, after life altering experiences, is the art of inventive repair. 

Expansion by Paige Bradley

A recent accident was a powerful reminder of the impermanence of life.

The Unexpected Giver

As a philanthropist, I am always inspired by how young people think about giving away money. In what will be their world, the way they give expresses who they are - givers with interests in technology and the sustainability of our world.

Noah Helfstein

Just this Passover, a 13-year-old bar mitzvah boy from New York with a passion for 3-D printing dedicated a mobile 3-D printing lab for children in Israel. 

Wakefulness

The act of waking up can change everything; it is to be born to another world 

within oneself." ~ Henri Tracol

W Magazine 2010 - Tim Walker Photography

Life altering events can happen to any of us - loss, accidents, a change of fortunes, 

illness, displacement - suddenly our world changes and we lose our equilibrium. 
A close encounter can be a wake up call that brings real awakening and a 

transformation in our whole approach to life.

International Women's Day‏

Giving is a journey that opens our hearts to humanity. My call to action for women who want 

to disrupt the world is: Let us tip the balance from poverty to progress in a country like 

ours by helping other women. 

Złota łuczniczka (2010) olej, płótno, 101 x 117 cm

Today is all we have.

The poet, Rainer Maria Rilke, speaks of death as a "letting go of the ground we 

stand on and cling to everyday," how we are like swans, "clumsy lumbering beings" 

moving awkwardly until we enter the water, where we are transformed into the 

graceful creatures we were intended to be. 

Beginnings and endings, birth and death, origination and destination - between 

them our brief biography. Death is inevitable for all of us, the only variable is when.

This certainty should keep us focused on addressing our life in finite terms.