Thomas Horn and Tom Hanks in the film Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
“And if that’s all you learned from 9/11, if that’s all you remembered, that: My God, you could extinguish life so suddenly, so unexpectedly, and it could happen to me, and therefore I should think harder about the way I spend my life instead of just wasting it. Now, it’s not going to teach you what to do with your life, but it will teach you to do with your life, and to do it more and quicker and better. And that can be extremely valuable.” ~ Mario Cuomo
Mario Cuomo made this statement in the PBS documentary about the history of New York City. It rang powerfully in my ears when I recently went to see the movie Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. The movie centers on a family that is forever changed by the events of 9/11. And before you go thinking, “Oh great, another 9/11 movie” like I did, watch the trailer. The performances are mesmerizing. You will want to look away and you won’t be able to. You’ll want to go back home to your life as usual, and you won’t be able to shake the feeling that you need to live the life you want. Today and every day after.
I recently had drinks with a friend of mine who recently got a new job. I asked her how it was going and she replied, “It’s called ‘work’ for a reason.” That gave me pause and then made me feel very, very sad. Was I asking too much of my career? Could a job ever be something we jump out of bed for or was that the stuff of Hollywood and daydreams? This thought nagged at me. Was I a fool to believe in a better way to work? This question refused to go away for days, and then I saw Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, and then I had my answer. I stopped feeling sad for myself. Instead, I felt sad for my friend.
Work has to be more than work as we know it. Mario Cuomo is so damn brilliant and wise – YES, we have to do with our life. Anything less than that is just a waste. It must be meaningful, and not just in bits and pieces and once-in-a-whiles, but always. Every, single, day.
And this is just more fuel for the fire in my belly to work on Compass Yoga full-time. Here’s to people who want to jump up out of bed thankful for one more day, sink their teeth into life, and refuse to accept anything less. You are the rainmakers that this world needs and wants!
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
5 thoughts on “Leap: Finding Meaning in Experiences That Are Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”
unfortunately find myself in your friend’s boat more and more often, these days. though would dearly love to be a stowaway in yours.
Christa,
Just discovered your blog (love it) and this post which spoke to me and what I am trying to do with my own work.
I remember saying to my mother (whose mindset was shaped by the Depression) that I wanted to be “Happy” in my work, whatever I did. She threw me a “what in the world are you talking about look.”
Reading this great post, I realize (sadly) that these low expectations of what we want from work (and life) are still the dominant beliefs of yet another generation (with cracks that are starting to let some light through).
A former New Yorker, having lived most of my adult life in downtown Manhattan (haven’t seen the movie, but plan to) I can relate deeply to the connection you’ve made between the surreal tragedy of 9/11 and the life we choose to lead every day.
Work and the workplace will never change unless we change our expectations of it. What are we all waiting for?
Hi Louise! I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Mario Cuomo’s word and this movie really inspired me and encouraged me to keep searching, seeking, and finding work that is filled with meaning. It’s so incredibly important and we have no time to lose.
I just took at your website and love what you’re doing – I just subscribed to your blog.
Christa Avampato 
unfortunately find myself in your friend’s boat more and more often, these days. though would dearly love to be a stowaway in yours.
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Climb aboard! There’s plenty of room!
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Christa,
Just discovered your blog (love it) and this post which spoke to me and what I am trying to do with my own work.
I remember saying to my mother (whose mindset was shaped by the Depression) that I wanted to be “Happy” in my work, whatever I did. She threw me a “what in the world are you talking about look.”
Reading this great post, I realize (sadly) that these low expectations of what we want from work (and life) are still the dominant beliefs of yet another generation (with cracks that are starting to let some light through).
A former New Yorker, having lived most of my adult life in downtown Manhattan (haven’t seen the movie, but plan to) I can relate deeply to the connection you’ve made between the surreal tragedy of 9/11 and the life we choose to lead every day.
Work and the workplace will never change unless we change our expectations of it. What are we all waiting for?
Thanks for the inspiration,
Louise
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Hi Louise! I am so glad you enjoyed the post. Mario Cuomo’s word and this movie really inspired me and encouraged me to keep searching, seeking, and finding work that is filled with meaning. It’s so incredibly important and we have no time to lose.
I just took at your website and love what you’re doing – I just subscribed to your blog.
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