My friend, Amanda, posted this up on her Facebook page and I love it so much that I wanted to share it as today’s post. It gets at all of my beliefs about passion, finding our life’s work, love, travel, and the passing of time.
This week on vacation, I’m spending loads of time with my nieces, Lorelei and Aubree. I try to visit them every 3 to 4 months. At 3 years old and 1 year old, I am conscious of how different they are every time I see them. People always say kids grow up so fast, though I never knew how fast until these two little ones came along. They are two more reminders of just how important it is to live the lives we want, by our own design and on our own terms. Life is just too fleeting to do anything else.
Too many people I meet are content to be just where they are, even if it’s nowhere they’d like to be. I used to envy how content they could be as I would drive myself close to the brink with my striving. Now that I see all of the benefits I’m creating in my own life, thanks in large part to my striving for so many years, I’m so grateful that I can only settle for what I really want rather than settling for what just seems readily available.
Many years ago I had a conversation with my friend, Amy, about our dreams to build our own roads, not just take the well-traveled ones. We agreed that it was as much fun to carve our own paths with our own hands as it was to get to the destinations we wanted to reach.
It’s in the doing that we really learn who we are and just who we’re meant to be.
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
My friend, Amanda, posted this up on her Facebook page and I love it so much that I wanted to share it as today’s post. It gets at all of my beliefs about passion, finding our life’s work, love, travel, and the passing of time. 
Christa Avampato 
Christa,
“Two roads diverged
In the woods and I
I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference.”
Your post reminded me of this beautiful poem by Robert Frost, one of my favorite writers. Yes, life is too short and time is fleeting. You and I are here today, but tomorrow we may disappear into thin air.
So, we have no choice but to put our best foot forward and live by our rules and on our terms and conditions. Anything less is a travesty. You are a good example of a person with courage and a vision. You follow your heart and listen to the music in your soul.
Play with children often and take frequent breaks to recharge your batteries. It will do you a world of good to relax and enjoy vacations.
You push yourself so hard in the Big Apple that I feel exhaused just reading about your schedule. Take it easy every once in a while too.
Namaste.
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I love Robert Frost, too, Archan. His work has taught me to be so appreciative of the world around us and for the people close to us. Rest assured that even in the Bid Apple, I am recharging my batteries; that’s the beauty of having my life’s work be so nourishing.
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You’re amazing. Glad to hear you’re doin so well. You’re a real inspiration. Keep rockin Beautiful. Hope you have a great day.
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Thanks, JC 🙂 Hope you had a great 4th!
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I love this manifesto Christa! I have been carrying a copy with me for the last few months when I go to the hospital to work as an ER nurse, and its energy has percolated into my life to the point I think it was influential in the timing of my decision to resign from my full-time staff job so that I could take the therapeutic yoga training and move my life in that direction myself. I think it’s called the Holstee manifesto, created by some guys who quit their day jobs to pursue their own dreams.
Hope all is well with you and that you’re enjoying your vacation.
Namaste,
Sol
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Hi Sol,
That is so cool! I was trying to find the name of it and to no avail. Thanks for passing it on to me. Great to know that we’re on the journey together. And vacation is awesome – always brings so much clarity.
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I love this post, Christa! I am so inspired — can’t wait to see you when you get back!
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Do you remember that conversation we had so many years ago, Amy?! It still sticks with me – and look how far we’ve come!
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I love that visual, such a motivational booster – LOVE IT =)
The world needs more people who carve out there own paths – that’s the way to go. No matter how challenging or hard it may be, it’s what worthwhile.
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I agree, Nikita! Path carving is an essential passion for people dedicated to social change.
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