“Happiness is a skill. It requires effort and time.”~ Andrew Weil
There is no place on a map called Happy. It is a slippery state of being. It requires commitment and dedication. And not the kind of commitment that we make to go to a class for a semester or to eat more vegetables this month. It’s more on par with raising a child who never intends to be independent; it requires near-constant care and tending.
I used to have a friend who constantly complained that she could never catch a break. The irony for me was that she had so much privilege, and as far as I know always had, and she just couldn’t see it, nor appreciate it. She stared at the closed doors for so long that she never turned around to see all of the opportunity waiting for her. And no amount of encouragement could ever help her get out of her own way.
Happiness doesn’t just decide where to land by blind chance. It is drawn to those who pursue it, who want to bring it into their lives in a profound way. It favors the hard-working and the ones who accept that happiness is a personal choice we make in every moment. Happiness takes up residence with those who are willing to prepare a home for it.
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: The Eveyday Work of Happiness”
Every morning I sit down in front of my computer with my cuppa and look at the long list of emails that have arrived over night. I always read your blog posting first. They help me to start my day in an upbeat way. The travel blogs fill me with longing for distant lands, the blogs about writing stir up guilt for the work that I am not doing and the food blogs either make me ravenous or remind me that I should drop a few pounds, but your blog helps me to face the day ahead with optimism and a smile. Thank you, Christa.
Nina,
Your comment made my day. This is exactly the reason I write, and the reason I will keep writing. I am so glad this blog is helpful to you. Big hugs!
Hey Christa, I just started a happiness blog too. It is helping me, and hopefully others too. I have a lot of page views but I find trying to get people to sign up, or comment – it’s like trying to get blood from a stone. Any suggestions? My blog last night was a heart rendering one…maybe not such a happy one, though usually they are up-beat. When you have a moment, the blog site is http://www.projectpollyanna.blogspot.com
Thanks and have a great day!
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
Thanks so much for your comment and question.
I gave up on my efforts to get a lot of comments a long time ago. Some people just don’t feel comfortable leaving comments. Other people simply don’t have the time. And a low number of comments has nothing to do with the quality of your content. As long as your page views are where you want them to be and your content is helping others, that’s what really counts. I write everyday to clear my head and share my experiences.
I love getting comments, but it’s not my focus. I have met a lot of wonderful people through this blog and that’s what counts!
Every morning I sit down in front of my computer with my cuppa and look at the long list of emails that have arrived over night. I always read your blog posting first. They help me to start my day in an upbeat way. The travel blogs fill me with longing for distant lands, the blogs about writing stir up guilt for the work that I am not doing and the food blogs either make me ravenous or remind me that I should drop a few pounds, but your blog helps me to face the day ahead with optimism and a smile. Thank you, Christa.
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Nina,
Your comment made my day. This is exactly the reason I write, and the reason I will keep writing. I am so glad this blog is helpful to you. Big hugs!
LikeLike
Hey Christa, I just started a happiness blog too. It is helping me, and hopefully others too. I have a lot of page views but I find trying to get people to sign up, or comment – it’s like trying to get blood from a stone. Any suggestions? My blog last night was a heart rendering one…maybe not such a happy one, though usually they are up-beat. When you have a moment, the blog site is http://www.projectpollyanna.blogspot.com
Thanks and have a great day!
Patricia
LikeLike
Hi Patricia,
Thanks so much for your comment and question.
I gave up on my efforts to get a lot of comments a long time ago. Some people just don’t feel comfortable leaving comments. Other people simply don’t have the time. And a low number of comments has nothing to do with the quality of your content. As long as your page views are where you want them to be and your content is helping others, that’s what really counts. I write everyday to clear my head and share my experiences.
I love getting comments, but it’s not my focus. I have met a lot of wonderful people through this blog and that’s what counts!
LikeLike