“If you laugh – you change; and when you change – the world changes.” ~ Shilpa Shah
I don’t care what people say about TV – I love it. When I was feeling badly about my job, I watched The Office as often as possible. Even re-runs. My boss at the time reminded me of Michael Scott. The Office made it easier for me to go to work in the morning while I found another job. Laughing changed my perspective.
I’ve experienced this same phenomenon when a friend cheers me up after a tough day or when someone emails me a joke or a funny story right when I need it. Yoga puts a smile on my face after I get through a rigorous class. My niece does something hilarious like see the space shuttle take off and say, “Look, Mommy. Fireworks.” If we look closely, there is no end to the hilarity of life.
Laughter changes the lens through which we see the world. And once we can see the world differently, we can see our role in the world differently. And once we see our role differently, we find a way to make a difference.
The image above was 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
“If you laugh – you change; and when you change – the world changes.” ~ Shilpa Shah 
Christa Avampato 
I couldn’t agree MORE. I’ve been feeling so blue, so down lately that I have found myself seeking out FUNNY–I want funny TV, funny books, funny blogs and funny movies. I just want to laugh. It makes me feel so much better about …well, about it all.
And I find myself wanting to make people laugh, too–so I try…and hope I succeed now and then…
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Hi Barb,
I love making people laugh, too. What could be better than the joy we get from that?
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Christa:
Laughter is therapy. Laughter is catharsis.
Try laughter often. Laughter is yogic. Laughter is prana.
Laughter connects you to your inner being.
You find who you really are through smiles and laughter.
Laughter is the inner child, who wants to be woken up in the early morning hours. Laughter is the joy you feel inside.
Whenever I laugh, I feel better–and I hope you do too.
Laugh often. Laugh at the stupid things in life. Laugh at your mistakes and your eccentricities and your craziness.
I try not to take myself too seriously, so I just laugh.
Look at children: they know about smiles and laughter.
Cheers!
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Children are such great examples for all of us. If only we could find a way to stay more like them as we grow older.
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How true these observations are! Laughter is underrated. An apple a day may be good for the body but laughter is good for the soul.
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I agree, Alexandra. That saying needs to be changed to “a laugh a day keeps the doctor away” 🙂
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C’mon now, CR – Ursula wasn’t nearly as good a boss as Michael Scott … ; – )
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Agreed, Lon. Michael Scott is better than Ursula. I was referring to Ursula’s boss. See the resemblance? 🙂
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