President and Michelle Obama often talk about how they start their conversations at the dinner table with their girls – Roses and Thorns. They each talk about the roses and thorns of their day, the good and the bad. For the past few days I’ve been thinking about this idea, and started using my little black book to record these experiences.
Over the past few days, this practice is helping me to find the bright spots and celebrate all of the smalls wins, even on days when it feels like I’m finding mostly thorns. When I look closely, I am amazed by how the universe will guide us down one path rather than another with the use of roses and thorns. The thorns are keeping me from getting complacent, constantly encouraging me to stretch my wings, and fly to new experiences and opportunities. They are protecting me from losing sight of my dreams. The roses point the way to my best future.
I’m a firm believer in the idea that nothing is as good as it seems or as bad as it seems. That balance, that ying and yang, in every day keeps our feet on the ground and our eyes on the stars. Roses and thorns is about reminding ourselves of the positive circumstances that are all around us (even on days that don’t seem so bright), while also showing us that there are always ways for us to improve ourselves and our circumstances. Who knew we could learn so much from a flower? Another example of biomimicry at work in the highest order.
Published by Christa Avampato
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
President and Michelle Obama often talk about how they start their conversations at the dinner table with their girls – Roses and Thorns. They each talk about the roses and thorns of their day, the good and the bad. For the past few days I’ve been thinking about this idea, and started using my little black book to record these experiences. 
Christa Avampato 
Lovely!
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Thanks, Trish!!
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I saw the interview by Matt Lauer with Michele Obama and heard her talk about this. Touching that the most powerful man in the world remembers and makes time for his wife and girls, and that their conversations are so significant and personally interactive. We all learn from each other, and the sharing, and recording, of roses and thorns helps keep things in perspective. And with a dash of humor, levels the playing field to keep the thorns at bay, turning them into positive protectors of the beautiful roses they surround. There’s always a ray of sunshine behind every rainy day – always a bright spot.
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Agreed, Mom. Those bright spots are so critical to recognize and celebrate.
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