Walking: The Art of Seeing and Being

A year ago, I embarked on a life-changing journey walking the ancient Spanish pilgrimage route, The Way of St. James - popularly known as the Camino to Santiago de Compostela. 

[Read the post here - http://angelicaberrie2013.blogspot.com/2013/10/life-as-camino.html.]

New York City across the Hudson River. [© Angelica Berrie]

The experience of walking in preparation for the 100 kilometer stretch to earn the pilgrim certificate or credencial deepened my awareness of life as an inner journey that leads us toward our better selves.

On Air with Steve Adubato of One-On-One

Steve Adubato takes you inside this year's Russell Berrie Awards for Making a Difference with in-depth interviews with Angelica Berrie, President of the Russell Berrie Foundation, and several inspiring awardees. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxLLQfrrBGY

The Power of One to Make A Difference

Giving is a journey that opens our hearts to humanity. We are transformed by encounters with visionaries who inspire us with their ability to transcend obstacles and create miracles.

True philanthropy goes beyond the ability to write a check. The power of one to make a difference, creating positive change by giving from our deepest self, bringing our own experiences to create solutions, is the essence of giving. Each act of generosity is unique because it speaks of who we are.

Bringing the best of our self to create a better world is a priceless gift that everyone has the power to give. In every community, there are everyday heroes who teach us by their example that giving is not about money but is the gift of time, energy and imagination. Time is free and therefore priceless yet in our busy lives it is often easier to just send a check than to participate actively in making change happen.

Every year at the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Awards I meet the most incredible human beings who bring this gift to life into the work they do.

2014 Russ Berrie Award for Malking a Difference,
top Winners and Semifinalists.

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning takes on new meaning as a way to reflect on our lives. 

The accumulation of things we acquire or amass in the past year, the clearing of energy in our homes so we create space for new energy to enter our lives, and the physical act of letting go that allows growth to happen.

Often, we settle into the inertia of passive living and need the awakening energy of Spring to nudge us into action.

May this Passover reflection energize you to engage in Spring cleaning with spiritual conviction.

http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101334266965-614/Cleaning+as+Spiritual+Ritual+Preparation+for+Pesach.pdf

The Luminous Continent

Satellite photo of Antarctica

Inhaling pure oxygen after a long hard climb up a steep and icy slope in Antarctica, I look down at our ship as a sailboat drifts by and kayaks glide in the glacial waters below. 

Imagining myself alone on this frozen planet, I realize how American explorer Admiral Richard Byrd felt when he wrote: “This is the way the world will look to the last man when it dies.” 

Picturing the scene as my last view of a world about to be lost, I am struck by the silence. In this world of ice and snow, all is deceptively still, even as the vast ice sheet that is the Antarctic Peninsula I stand on keeps on moving.