“The person susceptible to “wanderlust” is not so much addicted to movement as committed to transformation.”~ Pico Iyer
After going to the New York Times Travel Show this past weekend with my travel-loving pal, Jeff, those familiar pangs of wanderlust started acting up. We made our way to the Africa section of the show first and I immediately started to dream of those far-flung places that are still wild and free and untouched by our relentless pursuit of everything bigger, better, and faster. I’m certain that at some point in my life, Africa will be called home for a while. Somehow I think that time is coming sooner rather than later, and that made me wonder if I’m running away from something or toward something. Am I still Peter Pan?
And though the answer to that last question is a decisive, “Yes,” Pico Iyer’s quote made me feel better. I’m not longing for travel because I can’t sit still or I’m afraid of what will arise if I sit still or I have commitment issues. Travel for me means breaking out of our old habits and patterns, it means learning of the highest order, and it means coming to terms with the idea that all of us, all living things regardless of form, are really united into one beautiful, intricate dance called life. It literally forces us to transform, to change shape, inside and out.
The inescapable truth is that though we crave our independence we are all inextricably linked; we are all in this together. In our every day lives we can set this idea aside, narrow our focus, and be concerned with the life that has us at its center. When we travel, we have to let go and see not our reality, but the world’s.
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
The title of today’s blog really caught my attention since the main reason we started traveling regularly was in order to ensure my step daughter had “sister” time with my daughters. I truly believe the one or two yearly escapes allowed them to bond in a way they wouldn’t have if we just had visits to the house during our “normal” routines!!! And now, my girls (all THREE) love to travel, AND are closer than close!!! So yup, I totally agree that Travel Links Us Together!!!
Christa Avampato 
Reblogged this on ram0ram note book.
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The title of today’s blog really caught my attention since the main reason we started traveling regularly was in order to ensure my step daughter had “sister” time with my daughters. I truly believe the one or two yearly escapes allowed them to bond in a way they wouldn’t have if we just had visits to the house during our “normal” routines!!! And now, my girls (all THREE) love to travel, AND are closer than close!!! So yup, I totally agree that Travel Links Us Together!!!
🙂
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Love this comment Urs – it’s so cool that you’ve all bonded together over travel. Such a great way to do it!
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