“Happy people learn that happiness, like sweat, is a by-product of activity.” ~ Frank Pittman III
Happiness doesn’t happen to us. It doesn’t find us by accident. The happiest people I know get out there and work for it – happiness is a priority for them. They actively cultivate relationships and activities that make them smile. Sure they hit rough spots – they have times of sadness and loneliness, times when they’re disappointed or feel sorry for themselves and for others. But their MO when these tough times hit is to take action to turn the situation around. They feel empowered and confident to improve their lot in life, and by extension take their positive outlook out into the world to help others.
As we head into the dark half of the year, I start my ritual of reflection. Thinking about where I was last Fall, where I am now, and where I’d like to go. I take note of all of the good people and events in my life, and count my blessings. I am lucky to have many, and I know it. Lately a few things have been making me especially happy these days and they deserve some recognition:
1.) My dog, Phineas. I got Phineas almost a month ago to the day and he’s become such a good pal that I’m not sure what I did without him. He’s a continuous reminder to me that hurt can heal, that it’s okay to leave the past in the past and move onward and upward.
2.) Love is in the air. Some people think of Spring as the time for love. I always find that Fall is better in that department. I haven’t found that love just yet, but for some reason I feel like he’s right around the corner.
3.) The holidays are here. It’s not yet Halloween and Thanksgiving and Christmas are already abundantly present in stores across the city. I’ve started to think about holiday plans, and am looking forward to more time with family and friends. The holidays are always a joyful time for me, and this year will be especially so as it’s my little niece Aubree’s first year with us.
4.) Opportunities are cropping up everywhere. Once we tell the world exactly what we’d like to do, the world has a way of giving us resources to get those things done. It can be scary to admit, out loud, what we’d like to achieve, but I assure you that it is the best way to get the life you want. Be vocal about your dreams.
5.) A new boss at work. Change can be hard and getting a new boss can some times be a bit nerve-wracking. We don’t know how it’s going to go until we’re there. Lucky for me, my new boss is fantastic and she’s jumped right in to be a wonderful collaborator.
What things have you done to help generate more happiness?
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
“Happy people learn that happiness, like sweat, is a by-product of activity.” ~ Frank Pittman III 
Christa Avampato 
I love what you’ve written here, Christa. I’ve thought about the whole idea of “achieving happiness” and, like you, I know that it’s totally doable. As Freud said (or was it Ludvig von Drake?) “First we must recognize the problem and then we can solve it.” Of course that requires an understanding that the whole Happiness thing (which I call Happiness Quotient or HapQ) CAN be affected by the choices we make. Gonna wallow, bitch & moan about a situation/relationship that’s bringing you down? OR Are you gonna DO something about it?
Someone is always not happy…
http://www.anniefox.com/parents/parents_11-07.html
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Hi Annie,
I love that quote – I do think it’s from Freud. Ironic as he’s been popping up in my life a lot lately.
That HapQ metric is awesome. Looking forward to reading your books 🙂
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Great blog Christa! Thank you! I agree – sometimes you could find yourself lost in the day to day life rush and lose perspective of the things that bring a smile to your life. For me, it’s my wife, my parents, my nieces and having an active sport life. The challenge is to keep these things always present in your mind so “minor” problems (work, life) don’t affect you… And yes, it’s scary sometimes. Thanks again!
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Hi Jose,
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I love that you are so clear on the most important things in your life. It speaks volumes about your happiness!!
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