Month: November 2013

clarity, cooking, dreams, Second Step, sleep

Beautiful: Making Bread Overnight and Writing in Dreams

Christa Avampato
From Pinterest
From Pinterest

Bread making and sleep are magical processes. I put flour, salt, yeast, and water into a bowl in specific proportions, mix them up, cover the dough, and let it sit for 20 hours. When I wake up the next morning, it’s transformed into the perfect sticky consistency because I left it alone. When I need a booster shot of inspiration for my writing, I stuff my brain full of information that relates to what I’m trying to write and then I let my brain work it out while I sleep. Just as the light of day starts to filter into my apartment, the words I need start to filter right into my mind as I’m half-awake. I grab my pen and paper to get it all down.

The trick is to give your work what it needs and then walk away. Get the right ingredients into the right environment to work together. Arm yourself with data and information that your brain can sift and mesh together. The process is about you, and it’s also about you getting out-of-the-way. There’s a little mystery in creativity, a little magic inside each of us. There’s a time to work and a time to give up, and we need to do both to come up with something that’s inspired and inspiring.

good fortune, grateful, gratitude, happiness

Beautiful: Gratitude is the Beginning

Christa Avampato
From Pinterest
From Pinterest

The act of giving thanks is powerful. And contagious. When we give thanks for one thing, we inspire others to do the same. And as we see one blessing, others begin to come into focus. Joy is what bubbles up when we realize there is always something to be grateful for. We don’t need to seek happiness. Once we start giving thanks and happiness will find us.

grateful, gratitude, holiday, thankful, thanksgiving

Beautiful: Lights, Camera, Thanksgiving

Christa Avampato

“Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.” ~ W.J. Cameron.

There is so much to do on Thanksgiving. So much to consider, celebrate, and embrace. We’re cooking, setting the table, welcoming guests, traveling, and giving thanks. I’m thankful for all of you because we cheer each other on, encourage one another, and keep the light going in every circumstance. Every day I feel more fortunate than I did the day before and that’s because of you. Wherever you are, whatever you do, whomever you’re with today, I hope you find love and gratitude and joy in every single moment. Happy Thanksgiving.

courage, fear, feelings, writing

Beautiful: Pushing the Limits of Our Capabilities

Christa Avampato
From Pinterest
From Pinterest

Yesterday I wrote an article for The Motley Fool on the economic impacts of this week’s nuclear deal with Iran. When I was offered the assignment, I hesitated for a moment. This topic is far outside my comfort zone and it would require a lot of research on my part with a very short timeline. I wasn’t sure I was cut out to write this kind of piece, though I was incredibly drawn to the topic so I went for it. When it published yesterday, it was one of my proudest moments as a writer. I conquered that little voice that said, “Don’t do that. It’s not your kind of thing.”

This little voice sneaks up on all of us. It will try to keep us confined. It takes a lot of effort to break away from it. We have to have the courage to fail, to give it a try knowing that if we fall we will have the strength to get back up. Understand that if something doesn’t work out according to plan, we have the ability to learn, adjust, and keep going. That’s the funny thing about talents. The more we stretch them, the more they grow.

choices, decision-making, dreams, faith

Beautiful: Have Faith in You

Christa Avampato
From Pinterest
From Pinterest

We are so much more talented than we let ourselves believe. Somewhere along the way we were told to not think too much of ourselves or the value we bring to the people, places, and causes that consume our time. We were told to feel lucky for every opportunity that comes our way rather than recognizing that we make our own opportunities. Someone convinced us to keep our heads down and follow the path as determined by others.

In the past few days, I’ve had several conversations with friends who don’t realize just how amazing they are. They’re worried about making bold moves as if they don’t have a right to them. They’re cautious about standing up for themselves and the gifts they bring to the places they work. They don’t see what I see – that they deserve everything they want and then some because they worked hard to get where they are.

Have faith, in yourself, in your process, in your path. You are meant to do great things with your great life. We get what we settle for, so only settle for what you really want.

child, children, happiness, Second Step, work

Beautiful: Keep the Spirit of a Child

Christa Avampato
From Pinterest

Have you ever watched a kid at “work”? He or she is so absorbed that nothing else matters. There’s no checking the clock to see how much time has passed. There’s no distraction or boredom or frustration. Just pure focus. They are so fascinated by what they’re doing that they don’t want to do anything else.

I’m convinced that this is the secret to happiness, to be so in love with the work at hand that just the act of doing it is its own reward. In that work we will find our greatest talents, a peace that can’t be disturbed, a joy that can barely be described. That’s what we’re aiming for – to love our work so much that it becomes play, that there is no separation between our head and our heart. Then the feeling of fulfillment becomes not something we pursue. It’s just something that we are.

dreams, inspiration, passion

Beautiful: Remember Why You Started

Christa Avampato

Sometimes things don’t go according to plan. For some of us it might seem like things never go according to plan. Here’s what I’ve learned: a project has a life of its own. It does a dance between bending to our will and flying off the track at its own accord. That’s just the nature of work, of life. What we can do is stay true to ourselves. We can remember why we started the project in the first place and keep our eye on that mission as our guide. It’s our True North.

My friend, Michael, has told me many times that we must begin as we wish to go. In the beginning, we have a focus, a goal, and a reason for putting our energy and time into a dream. In the beginning, our intent is at its purest state. We have to hang onto that. There will be distractions along any path. People’s opinions will sway us. Our experience with the project may cloud our vision over time. We can reset and center ourselves by going back to the beginning, by remembering and honoring the intention that started us on our journey. That is where we must look for continued inspiration, for hope, for strength. It’s all in the seed, always.

So if you find yourself frustrated, tired, disappointed, or confused, don’t despair. Allow the clarity of your beginning dream to be the force that drives your forward.

business

Beautiful: My Commercial Voice Over Demo is Complete and I’m Ready to Get to Work

Christa Avampato
Image found at http://www.raanetwork.org/not-the-voice-the-microphone/
Image found at http://www.raanetwork.org/not-the-voice-the-microphone/

Very happy to share the news that my commercial voice over demo is complete and uploaded. Here is the link if you’d like to give it a listen: http://www.voices.com/people/christanyc.

Now it’s time to get to get out there, learn from, and share with the voice over community. Over the next few months, I’ll be hard at work using this demo as I build this new dimension and service to my content development business. I’m excited for the journey ahead! Here’s a little bit more info about me and my work:

About my voice:
Smooth voice of a trusted source, friend, and girl-next-door. Honest and personal with a sense of humor that is both subtle and smart. Communicate an authentic upbeat enthusiasm while remaining classy, knowledgable, and professional. Range varies from conversational to charming to sultry.

What clients get by working with me:
I am a storyteller. I’m collaborative, easy to work with, insanely prompt, diligent, and take direction well. My job is to deliver a voice over that clients love that represents their brands and products in the very best light.

As a journalist I cover the convergence of culture, technology, and business. I also write slice-of-life pieces and conduct one-on-one interviews for feature writing. Additionally, I am a playwright, book editor, and write on-brand content for companies.

I have an MBA from the Darden School at UVA and have worked in strategic marketing and product development roles at American Express, Toys R Us, Disney, The Home Depot, and several large nonprofit organizations. I began my career in management for Broadway shows and national theater tours.

If you are interested in working with me, or know someone who is, send me a message at christa.avampato@gmail.com.

animals, dogs, social media

Beautiful: Why My Dog, Phineas, Has a Twitter Account

Christa Avampato
Phin at home in his domain - Central Park
Phin at home in his domain – Central Park

My pup, Phineas, has a Twitter account. You can check him out @PhineasNYC. Why is Phin on Twitter? Because he’s got a lot to say and a lot to teach others. He teaches me every day and quite frankly I feel selfish keeping all of that knowledge to myself. Phin deserves to have a platform to spread himself around to as many people as possible. The little guy needs a megaphone to be a broadcaster of goodness for animals everywhere and the people who love them. After much deliberation about which platform to use, we decided to start with Twitter. Messages are short and mighty, just like him.

Here’s what he plans to do with his Twitter account:
1.) Daily observations on a dog’s life in the big city with pictures and videos
2.) Spreading the word about good causes related to helping animals, especially, though not exclusively, dogs
3.) Promoting products he loves – from treats to squeaky toys and everything in-between
4.) Tips for pet parents on topics like pet health, separation anxiety, adopting a pet, and special deals on pet products and services
5.) Indulge his many funny bones

Phin and I are excited for his new online adventure. The world needs more goodness, more levity, and more dachshunds.

animals, decision-making, dogs, integrity

Beautiful: Lessons from My Dog – Check Out Every Open Door, Be Bold, Stay Focused

Christa Avampato
Phineas in one of his more pensive moments
Phineas in one of his more pensive moments

A couple of days ago, it was 60 degrees in New York. Phineas didn’t even need a sweater on his walks. All of the businesses and apartment buildings flung open their doors to let in the warm sunshine. Phin didn’t hesitate; he wanted to take advantage of the situation and check out every single one, mostly because a lot of them have treats for the local dogs. As the saying goes, “His mama didn’t raise no fools.” Here’s what little Phin taught me by his actions:

1.) Don’t count yourself out of the running.
Too often we talk ourselves out of opportunities that are right in front of us. Thoughts like “Why me? I bet there’s a lot of competition. I shouldn’t even bother trying. I’ll just be disappointed when it doesn’t work out.” We self-sabotage before we even give ourselves a chance. Not Phineas. If that door is open, he’s going through it. Others may try to stop him (me included!), but he’s not discounting his own actions. He leaves that to someone else.

2.) Be bold.
Hold your head up high and never underestimate your own capabilities. Phin is a whopping 16 pounds and 6 inches at the shoulder. He’s a little dude but you’ve never know it from his attitude. I wonder where he learned that from…

3.) Have a mission and stay focused. 
Phin’s looking for two things when he walks through open doors – treats and attention. He also has a an insatiable sense of curiosity, often to my dismay because he checks out every square inch of the ground he traverses. We need to do the same: Know why we’re doing what we’re doing and why we’re going where we’re going. And always learn. Every circumstance has something to teach us.

These lessons are a reminder that Phineas is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. I continue to be amazed by everything he shows me just by being who he is in every moment. That level of integrity, strength of character, and unwavering commitment to authenticity inspires me.

What lessons has your pup taught you?