yvonnedevilliers.com“Aim above morality. Be not simply good. Be good for something.” ~ Henry David Thoreau via Tiny Buddha
This week I’ve been preoccupied with and writing about a mission-driven life and the power of making our own personal missions the center of our work. A fulfilling, meaningful life requires a cause, a passion, a center. It’s important to be a good person – to be kind and generous and grateful. It’s equally as important to do something powerful with that goodness – to be helpful and inspiring and gracious.
I was on an elevator recently and someone gave my yoga mat bag a funny look. “Is that a weapon?” the man asked me. “Yes,” I replied. “It’s a weapon for goodness.” And it is.
The goal of my teaching is to help everyone I ever come in contact with, on and off the mat, to become the very best version of who they are. I’m at my best when I’m teaching yoga. There’s a certain ease and gladness that fills me up when I have the opportunity to pass on a gift that has been passed on to me by many patient and loving hearts. The very least I can do, in their honor, is to offer up the same gift to those who need it most.
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
6 thoughts on “Beginning: The Secret to a Happy Life is to Be Good And Do Good”
Mine is finding affordable housing for the poor and homeless
Yeah, Christa, it is importan to have a personal mission statement. It provides guidance to your life; helps you get out of any stalemate.
It is equally important to share what you know with other people. I think that yoga is your special gift to our world and you should teach it. You are meant to teach it, so fulfill your destiny. People will thank you for it.
We have millions and millions of people in this world who lack the proper instruction. They can be helped if there are people like you around. You are going to make such a profound difference to their lives. You will play such a pivotal role. I think you are on the right track, so go for it.
Best wishes on your fab journey. Never give up and never give in.
I like that idea – to never give up but never give in either. We always hear the first but rarely the second. It’s about standing our ground and going confidently in the direction of our dreams. Thanks for the reminder, Archan!
Christa Avampato 
Mine is finding affordable housing for the poor and homeless
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We are so lucky to have people who do the work that you do. Every day you are making a difference is such a profound way!
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special post with special ideas…thank you…. and today, as most days, my inspiration is kindness….
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I love that inspiration. I love the Dalai Lama’s line – my religion is very simple, my religion is kindness.
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Yeah, Christa, it is importan to have a personal mission statement. It provides guidance to your life; helps you get out of any stalemate.
It is equally important to share what you know with other people. I think that yoga is your special gift to our world and you should teach it. You are meant to teach it, so fulfill your destiny. People will thank you for it.
We have millions and millions of people in this world who lack the proper instruction. They can be helped if there are people like you around. You are going to make such a profound difference to their lives. You will play such a pivotal role. I think you are on the right track, so go for it.
Best wishes on your fab journey. Never give up and never give in.
Cheers.
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I like that idea – to never give up but never give in either. We always hear the first but rarely the second. It’s about standing our ground and going confidently in the direction of our dreams. Thanks for the reminder, Archan!
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