I tell wonder-filled stories about hope and healing
Aside from celebrating the general spirit of Christmas, I’m not Christian. However, what I take from Pope Francis is one simple and powerful lesson: if all people everywhere took up the mantle of humility and service we would have a happier, healthier, safer, and more productive world. If we could spend some time every day putting aside self preoccupation for the sake of others, we’d all be better off.
My friend, mentor, and teacher, Ed Freeman, posted this image a few weeks ago and it really resonated with me. I’m now digging into Oliver Sack’s book Musicophilia. The book explores the neuroscience of music and all of the unknown reasons why music resonates so deeply with us.
Have you ever noticed that a song can take us back in time, that it can remind us of someone, something, or some place that we haven’t thought about in years? Music stores memories and unlocks them for us. I like to think of that power as the truest form of magic. Play on.
My fall allergies are kicking in a bit and I’ve been sneezing up a storm. I think this caused me to have a tiny blood vessel burst in my eye so I’m looking a little funny. My coworker Rachael, who studied the intricacies of eyes and vision in grad school, explained to me that eyes are fragile but they’re also masters of healing. And that made me think that eyes are a good metaphor for life. We get hurt, knocked down, and disappointed, and when that happens we feel fragile and broken. But if we hang in there and just give ourselves some time, love, and tenderness (to quote Michael Bolton!), we find that we can heal from anything. The eyes have it, and so do we.
I haven’t played a group sport in quite a few years but all that’s about to change when I start playing on a co-ed soccer team this week with Zog Sports DC. When I put on my new cleats and shin guards yesterday, I felt really powerful. And not because I think I’m going to become some brilliant spark of a player but because I’m about to do something so outside my comfort zone.
There’s something to be said for purposely going after experiences that scare the hell out of us. Once we try something new, we understand that on the other side of fear is freedom. GOOOOOOAL!
Today I went to the H Street Festival, a celebration of art, food, and culture in one of DC’s most diverse and interesting neighborhoods. It felt like I was back on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It warmed my heart to be among every walk of life in a city bustling and buzzing with creativity and happiness. Here are some of my favorite shots from the day!
My friend, Sofia, posted this beautiful quote and it really got me thinking how often we seek to defend what we have rather than share it with others. The truth is that the more we share of anything—ideas, wisdom, energy, patience, kindness, love, compassion, empathy—the more we receive. Scarcity of goodness is a complete myth. If we have the courage to give, we’ll find ourselves richer in the ways that matter—love, friendship, trust, happiness—than we ever thought possible.
Last night my friend, Josh, and I attended the fabulous launch party for the Hidden Brain podcast at NPR’s headquarters. Hidden Brain starts on 9/22 and is hosted by Shankar Vedantam. It’s mission: to have a conversation about life’s unseen patterns. It’s grounded in science and based on the desire to better understand our own behaviors and the behaviors of others.
I’m loving Shankar’s book The Hidden Brain and am excited to tune in for his take on what really happens between our ears. There will be plenty of games and entertainment, lots of discovery, and an incredible amount of inquiry. He’s got an incredible slate of special guests lined up for his listeners! For some fun pics from the event, check out my Twitter and Instagram feeds! Here are a few of my favorites:
As I was walking to work yesterday, I couldn’t stop thinking of Philadelphia. I went to college there and the fall season always takes me back to that city. The excitement of new classes. The start of a new year with new promises, hopes, and dreams. Discovery. I always get nostalgic during this time of year.
Though my college years were often filled with tough lessons, I’ve found that the older I get the more grateful I am for that time. So today I’ll drink my pumpkin latte, gobble down my cranberry muffin, and hold the magic of Philly in the fall in my mind, determined to do whatever I can to hold on to the magic and wonder of the season.
“A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.” ~ Henry Kissinger
Sometimes life gives us a whammy. We end up disappointed, frustrated, and angry by something (or someone) not going our way. I read this quote from Henry Kissinger yesterday and it made me smile. Life has unavoidable pressures. Everyone faces them. What matters is how we use that pressure to transform ourselves in the very best we can be. Keep shining, little diamonds.
I’m not Jewish though at Penn I made many friends who are. They taught me about many of their traditions. One that’s always resonated with me is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It started yesterday at sundown, and I share the idea that Fall is a true new year for me.
The cool air rolls in, the leaves change color, and there’s a hint of newness around every corner in this season. 2015 has been a tough one for me, and I want nothing more than to turn the page so I decided not to wait until January 1.
Last night, I took out my cutting board, carved up an apple, poured some honey, and took in the sweetness of the new year with a lot of hope for brighter days ahead.
Christa Avampato 