I tell wonder-filled stories about hope and healing
In honor of Susan Strayer LaMotte‘s fabulous birthday, I’m participating in #40forgood. Today the dogs and I came cross a woman in our neighborhood sitting on her stoop having a very tough day. We stopped to sit and talk with her. She pet the dogs and they loved the attention. By the end of our conversation, she was smiling. It was a small thing to do. It didn’t take a lot of time. My hope is that it made a difference. Let’s make the world a little brighter for each other every day.
The National Building Museum is one of my favorite places in D.C. It always has interesting exhibits that are often interactive and always raise issues about what it means to live and work in an urban built environment. They often blend science, art, and society. The latest exhibit, The Beach, brings out the kid in all of us. I went with a big group of friends this week and we had a blast. After playing around in the giant ball pit, we had some cocktails crafted Union Kitchen and danced around to the music of a jazz quartet. Here’s a slow mo video of part of our group. I’m the one on the far right who completely disappears. If you’re in D.C., I highly recommend stopping by!
This week I met with an artistic director of a theater company as I investigate ways to get involved with Washington’s creative community. He likes my variety of business and art skills. This was also true when I interviewed for my current job at my ed tech startup. My weird and winding road, my New Yorkiness, is of value in Washington where being unique isn’t always seen as desirable. This has been a welcome surprise for me and I feel like I’m in just the right place at just the right time. I’m not sure exactly where this next chapter of life is heading, but I’m excited for the adventure and possibility!
When something or someone gets you down, there are exactly 3 solutions: smile wider, laugh louder, and stand taller. You are your actions, not someone’s opinion of you.
While D.C. may be known as a government and nonprofit hub, I’m finding a whole new side of Washington every day. This weekend I went to the celebration of SpeakeasyDC, a storytelling organization where I take a class, rebranding itself as Story District. They had a carnival-type atmosphere of dozens of arts organizations from all over the District. We visited all of the different tables that highlighted the creative work of storytellers, comedian, writers, filmmakers, and visual artists. It was an inspiring and spirited evening that made me so happy to live in this city and be a part of its creative evolution. Here is a list of the participants from that evening. I hope you’ll check them out and support their incredible work!
“Alignment is easy…just remember something that feels good and focus on that.” ~Abraham Hicks
This weekend I read a self-help book that was a good, hard read. I think this quote by Abraham Hicks is really what every book like this boils down to. If we want to be happy, we have to stop putting ourselves in situations that hurt and harm us. That means staying away from negative people who don’t treat us well. You can’t change adults, nor save them. Leave that to expert therapists. They aren’t your work to do. We are each responsible for our own happiness and our own transformation. Be with people who appreciate you and care about you. Invest your time and effort in activities that lift you up and bring you joy. Anything else is a waste of your value.
My friend, Nisha, posted this over the weekend and I just love it. These are things that we should all decide we no longer have time for. Life is so short. Let’s spend it with the best people we know doing the very best we can.
I saw this image yesterday and it stuck with me all day. We’re so inclined to think that technology, money, emotions – any tool or source of energy – has control. It doesn’t. It’s up to the user. It’s how you wield these tools that makes the difference. It’s about intention and purpose. It’s about deciding how to use the forces within us and around us that determines our impact. Choose and act wisely.
Christa Avampato 