I’ve been thinking a lot about obstacles this week. Mostly because my bum and legs are sore from all of the yoga this past weekend, and my body is requiring an unusual amount of sleep to recover. This need for more sleep is slowing down the progress on my too-long to-do list this week. I’ve been focusing on Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, in my meditations. I really needed Ganesha to get some stuff out of my way. I needed to need less sleep, work faster on all of my projects at work, and get up and down the stairs without thinking about my sore bum and legs. He’s not helping. Or at least I didn’t think he was helping me.
About a month ago I went to the kirtan at Sonic Yoga and one of the song we did was a chant to Ganesha. One of the cantors talked about Ganesha as the remover of obstacles, or the one who carefully places obstacles in our way when we need them. I didn’t understand this explanation at the time so naturally I ignored it. But it’s been nagging at the back of my mind. What obstacles could I possibly need, and why would I need them? What good does another obstacles do? I have enough, thank you, Ganesha. Take your obstacles elsewhere. What about the path of the least resistance? How about opening up that way for me?
Then yesterday in my session with Brian, I got it. And it was such a simple explanation that I felt silly for not seeing it sooner. My biggest obstacles have nothing to do with anyone else, anywhere else. They don’t even reside in my own body. They aren’t put upon me; I put my biggest obstacles on myself. My biggest obstacles lie in my mind and my heart and my spirit, and I like to avoid them at all costs. So Ganesha, in his wisdom, forces me to deal with my obstacles by placing other obstacles in my way that I must respond to, ones that I cannot turn away from. I need to slow down, to learn how to make and stick to boundaries, to find my edge and live there – mentally and physically – so he handed me a sore bum and the need for more sleep. I have to slow down this week and deal with that obstacle. I don’t have a choice.
Simple. Wise. Effective. Exactly what I would expect from an enlightened elephant.
The image above is not my own. It can be found here.
Published by Christa Avampato
IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
View all posts by Christa Avampato
I’ve been thinking a lot about obstacles this week. Mostly because my bum and legs are sore from all of the yoga this past weekend, and my body is requiring an unusual amount of sleep to recover. This need for more sleep is slowing down the progress on my too-long to-do list this week. I’ve been focusing on Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, in my meditations. I really needed Ganesha to get some stuff out of my way. I needed to need less sleep, work faster on all of my projects at work, and get up and down the stairs without thinking about my sore bum and legs. He’s not helping. Or at least I didn’t think he was helping me.
hehe I love Ganesha and so does Monte, we actually have a Ganesha that watches over MOnte as he sleeps. It is his fave toy. I have a few obstacles at the moment and need to discover their purpose…
LikeLike
Hi Sharni! How cool that you and Monte love Ganesha, too. What drew you to him? Where did you get your statue of Ganesha? I’ve been wanting to do a meditation alter and am looking for places to buy a few little statues.
LikeLike
Christa:
Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati.
Many Hindus worship Ganesha, a popular deity. Ganesha is indeed the remover of obstacles.
If you are looking for statues of Ganesha and other deities, maybe it would be a good idea to check out Jackson Heights?
If memory serves, New Jersey also has fabulous shops and restaurants where the Indian community congregates; they would be glad, I am sure, to answer your questions.
The aches and pains come and go. Pretty soon, your body will get conditioned to it. Just make a habit out of it and you can’t go wrong. Professional athletes know about this from personal experience.
Things will work out your way. Give yourself the TLC treatment. This has helped me to overcome challenges during meditation and while playing sports. Cheers!
And, by the way, it’s great to know you are experimenting and moving forward. Wish you a fabulous lifestyle!
LikeLike
Hey Christa,
Forgot to mention….oops!…my mistake…but let me add…
Hoboken and Jersey City are in New Jersey, your neighboring state, which is only a short bus/train ride away.
There are plenty of Indian shops, restaurants, yoga centers, and other stuff associated with South Asia and Hinduism at these places.
Just thought I would share this information, since this seems to be something you may be interested in exploring, maybe?
I have heard there are plenty of idols, statues and other exotic stuff, including ethnic garments/clothes, available in this area. And if you haggle well, you may even get a good bargain. Hope this helps you. Have a nice day. And cheerio!
(P.S. There’s a reason why Ganesha has the body of a human being, a male, but the head of an elephant. Go figure. That information would be available in a book on Ganesha or Hindu “mythology.” That particular story, when I learned about it, really moved me. Such devotion!)
LikeLike
Hi Archan – thank you for all of this incredible information!! I’m going to take myself on a little adventure to these places once my weekends are freed up after I have my yoga certification. Can’t wait to see what I find. How do you know so much about these areas? Did you used to live in NYC or do you have family here?
LikeLike
Christa:
Well, I am happy to share this information, because I want you to be happy, successful and feel fulfilled about your life.
As a well-wisher–and a regular reader of your fabulous blog–I want to encourage you to pursue your dreams.
To answer your question, I heard about these areas by word-of-mouth: people gossip and these places are well-known in certain niche circles.
Since we are on the same wave-length (for the most part), yes, please make sure to keep your weekends free. You won’t regret this trip, trust me. It will be an experience you will recount to your near and dear ones, again and again. You may even feel like recording these experiences in your personal diary: it will move you, if done properly.
Make sure to eat a meal there, either in NJ or NYC. There are plenty of Indian restaurants in these areas. You can either opt for a buffet or order your own stuff. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available.
And ask around for books on meditation, yoga and Hinduism, especially mythology at the Indian bookstores.
The customer service representatives will help you: many of them understand English quite well. Reading these books will help you on your life’s journey, since this is something I know you will be interested in exploring.
It gladdens my heart whenever I read that you are moving forward despite obstacles and making progress in life. You deserve it. You have worked your tail off to achieve. May your days be filled with sunshine and laughter. Cheers!
LikeLike
Thanks, Archan, for all of your support, advice, and knowledge. I am so appreciative that you share so much of yourself here on this blog. Now, I can’t wait for you to start writing regularly. You have so much to offer and I want to read more of your writing.
When I visit these places that you suggest, I’ll be sure to let you know what I find!
LikeLike
Hello may I use some of the material from this post if I provide a link back to your site?
LikeLike
Hi Hermila,
That’s so kind of you to ask! You are welcome to use a quote from this post so long as it’s clear that it is a quote and you provide credit via a mention and a link. That’s true for almost all blogs out there – so long as you provide the credit, you’re free to link back to it, provide further commentary, etc.
Let me know when your post is live – I’d love to read it!
Cheers!
LikeLike