Things I didn’t care about yesterday:
1.) The heat, humidity, and poor air quality
2.) The noise
3.) The guy in the park who cursed at me when I smiled at him as we made eye contact
4.) The too-loud musicians on the train as I made my way home after a long day
5.) The uncertainty of a freelance life
6.) Being up until the wee hours of the morning writing to meet deadlines
There were over 3,000 people who didn’t get to have yesterday, and they won’t get to have today or tomorrow either. 3,000 people who would give anything to be able to walk these streets that they loved as much as I do. 3,000 people who would have been as happy to see their friends yesterday as I was to see mine.
The term 9/11 leaves an ache in people’s hearts. I can’t imagine that will ever change no matter how much distance we get from that awful day. There will always be something lost. But for those of us who are left, there is something to be gained, too. The inconveniences caused by the cycles of life don’t matter. In the grand scheme all that really counts is that we get today and we get to decide who to spend it with. We are so fortunate to have the time we have and there’s no point in wasting it by filling our heads and hearts with laments about our current condition. Conditions will change; they always do. What’s important is that we make the most of whatever we have before us.
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
2 thoughts on “Beautiful: Things I Didn’t Care About Yesterday – A Lesson in Perspective from 9/11”
Thank you Christa! Beautiful – just beautiful! We are so lucky and blessed to be here!
Thank you Christa! Beautiful – just beautiful! We are so lucky and blessed to be here!
LikeLike
Love you, Mary! We are blessed indeed.
LikeLike