Yesterday I spent most of the day outside running errands and meeting up with friends. As I headed down Broadway in the morning, I could feel the Earth yawning and stretching. It was warm for a February day in New York City, 50 degrees. Birds were chirping, skies were blue. I breathed in, breathed out, and thought, “Spring, you are going to find us again.”
This has been a long, cold, tiring winter. Every once in a while I would see little sprigs of life popping up, trying so hard to bloom despite the hard ground, wind, and low temperatures. It was as if the universe was saying, “no, not just yet. Rest a little while longer.”
So I did. I had to put some ideas back on the shelf, some projects into my safe-keeping box, and wait for fairer weather. Yesterday, I felt like life all around me had turned a corner, was beginning to awaken and rise and be heard. And as a result, I felt life within me begin to rise, too.
The image above is not my own. It can be found here.
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
Yesterday I spent most of the day outside running errands and meeting up with friends. As I headed down Broadway in the morning, I could feel the Earth yawning and stretching. It was warm for a February day in New York City, 50 degrees. Birds were chirping, skies were blue. I breathed in, breathed out, and thought, “Spring, you are going to find us again.”
Christa Avampato 
Christa:
Glad to know you are trying to stay positive despite the cold weather. This is another interesting post. Thanks.
Those leisurely strolls can do you a world of good, that’s for sure. And I bet you appreciate it even more, since you grew up in a rural area.
Just being out and about–even in a concrete jungle–can make one feel good. And feeling good is the point of the exercise. So many people respond to harsh winters in a different way: seasonal affective disorder can darken your mood, to be sure.
However, a little sunshine on your skin and fresh air in your lungs can be such a welcome relief from having to stay ensconced in an apartment for the entire day. Even stepping out of the office, once in a while, can enable one to earn a spring in the step. Three cheers for the outdoors.
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Three cheers for the outdoors – that is exactly the feeling I had on my walk yesterday. Even though it’s still a bit chilly, I’m just so glad to see the sun and take in the fresh air. I can’t wait to begin to see the flowers and the buds on the trees. So much to look forward to!
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Lovely post. It’s snowing here in Kansas. We’ve all cabin fever.
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Kristin,
I hope the snow lets up and the sun starts shining in your neck of the woods!
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