Category: creativity

creativity

This just in: What Andy Rooney learned and shared with us

Christa Avampato
Andy Rooney
Andy Rooney

I was and still am a big fan of Andy Rooney’s essays. The quintessential curmudgeon, he was honest, funny, and poignant all in the same breath. Here is an essay of his that’s always been one of my favorites.

I’ve Learned

  • I’ve learned … That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
  • I’ve learned … That when you’re in love, it shows.
  • I’ve learned … That just one person saying to me, “You’ve made my day!” makes my day.
  • I’ve learned … That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
  • I’ve learned … That being kind is more important than being right.
  • I’ve learned … That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
  • I’ve learned … That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.
  • I’ve learned … That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
  • I’ve learned … That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
  • I’ve learned … That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
  • I’ve learned … That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
  • I’ve learned … That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.
  • I’ve learned … That money doesn’t buy class.
  • I’ve learned … That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
  • I’ve learned … That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
  • I’ve learned … That the Lord didn’t do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?
  • I’ve learned … That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
  • I’ve learned … That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
  • I’ve learned … That love, not time, heals all wounds.
  • I’ve learned … That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
  • I’ve learned … That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
  • I’ve learned … That there’s nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.
  • I’ve learned … That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
  • I’ve learned … That life is tough, but I’m tougher.
  • I’ve learned … That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
  • I’ve learned … That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
  • I’ve learned … That I wish I could have told my dad that I love him one more time before he passed away.
  • I’ve learned … That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
  • I’ve learned … That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
  • I’ve learned … That I can’t choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.
  • I’ve learned … That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life.
  • I’ve learned … That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.
  • I’ve learned … That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances: when it is requested and when it is a life-threatening situation.
  • I’ve learned … That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
creativity

This just in: Steve Jobs was the son of a Syrian migrant

Christa Avampato
Graffiti artist Banksy has created a new artwork in the so-called Jungle refugee camp in Calais depicting the late Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple.
Graffiti artist Banksy has created a new artwork in the so-called Jungle refugee camp in Calais depicting the late Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple.

The artist Banksy raised his paintbrush to raise his voice and our awareness of the Syrian immigrant crisis.

Via BBC: “We’re often led to believe migration is a drain on the country’s resources but Steve Jobs was the son of a Syrian migrant. Apple is the world’s most profitable company, it pays over $7B (£4.6B) a year in taxes – and it only exists because they allowed in a young man from Homs.”

creativity

This just in: Advice from Erma Bombeck on how to live

Christa Avampato
Erma Bombeck
Erma Bombeck

Yesterday I came across Erma Bombeck’s essay entitled, “If I Had My Life to Live Over”. I’ve decided to take her advice. I hope you will, too.

“Someone asked me the other day if I had my life to live over would I change anything.

My answer was no, but then I thought about it and changed my mind.

If I had my life to live over again I would have waxed less and listened more.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy and complaining about the shadow over my feet, I’d have cherished every minute of it and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was to be my only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten popcorn in the “good” living room and worried less about the dirt when you lit the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have burnt the pink candle that was sculptured like a rose before it melted while being stored.

I would have sat cross-legged on the lawn with my children and never worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television … and more while watching real life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband which I took for granted.

I would have eaten less cottage cheese and more ice cream.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the Earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for a day.

I would never have bought ANYTHING just because it was practical/wouldn’t show soil/ guaranteed to last a lifetime.

When my child kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now, go get washed up for dinner.”

There would have been more I love yous … more I’m sorrys … more I’m listenings … but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute of it … look at it and really see it … try it on … live it … exhaust it … and never give that minute back until there was nothing left of it.”

creativity

This just in: Take some time to take in the holidays

Christa Avampato
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.

I walked through Dupont with a friend of mine. We were deep in conversation about work when something shiny caught my eye. One of the hotels we walked by was completely decked out in holiday decorations: giant and full wreaths, countless strings of lights, and ornaments galore. With the temperatures in the 60s and the constant bustle of life, it’s easy to forget it’s the holidays. So I decided right then and there to make sure that every day I take in a little Christmas. And once I did, I saw it everywhere – small and lovely store fronts, decorated lampposts, and even on the faces of people making a point to get together and spread the cheer. I hope we all find these same moments every day, all year long. Happy holidays!

creativity

This just in: D.C. Cool – my newest paper collage

Christa Avampato
D.C. Cool
D.C. Cool

This is a snapshot of my newest paper collage. It’s a re-creation of the D.C. Cool logo composed of small bits of paper that were part of advertisements for other cities.

Washington, D.C. has a bit of everywhere packed into a big city that feels like a small town. I moved here about 9 months ago and it’s really beginning to feel like home to me. I’ve still got a lot of exploring to do, and this collage is a reflection of my journey in this shining city so far.

creativity

This just in: You need to see the Neofuturists at Woolly Mammoth Theatre in D.C.

Christa Avampato
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind

Last night I saw the Neofuturists perform 30 plays in 60 minutes at Woolly Mammoth Theatre here in D.C. Some made me laugh. Some made my eyes tear up. Some made me angry. And they all made me very happy that I spent the night with this talented group of 5 artists giving their hearts and minds to an audience that was both receptive to the work and more than willing to participate.

Their inventive style of storytelling is something I’ve admired from afar for many years, and I’m so glad that I got a chance to experience their work first-hand. A must see in D.C. this season, the show runs through January 3rd at Woolly. More details here: http://www.woollymammoth.net/

creativity

This just in: Innovation Station takes another small step forward

Christa Avampato
Innovation Station
Innovation Station

This weekend, I had the great privilege to work with a team on Innovation Station, a design for a new middle school design that marries storytelling and the product development process to teach core subjects and career-based skills.

The startup competition was sponsored by 4.0 schools and CityBridge Foundation in Washington D.C. I had the seed of this idea in 2007 and I’ve left it untouched in a file on my computer for many years. It was really an honor to be able to devote a weekend to it with a talented group of people, and see what we could craft together.

Though my team didn’t win, the experience was invaluable and I met a number of wonderful and passionate people who care as much about education as I do. And it’s got the wheels turning in my head. Maybe this is a new beginning…

creativity

This just in: The gut never lies

Christa Avampato
Trust your gut
Trust your gut

Have you ever been around someone who makes you feel a certain way, even when you can’t quite put your finger on why? This feeling can be positive or negative, brought about by being with someone or even just thinking about him or her. Trust that feeling, whatever it is. The gut, the seat of all of your psychic energy and intuition, never lies. The head won’t understand. The heart surely won’t understand. But you must trust and embrace that gut feeling, even if there’s no way to explain why. The “why” doesn’t matter. Just the fact that it exists is enough of a reason to follow its advice.

creativity

This just in: Peace in the confusion

Christa Avampato
Peace
Peace

Sometimes we face circumstances that don’t make any sense. That happened to me yesterday and I took a few steps to get a better perspective. First, I had to physically distance myself from the situation. Sometimes when we are so close to a problem, it’s tough to see a way through it. The distance helps.

Second, I distracted myself with a fun activity that had nothing to do with the circumstances of my problem. This gave my brain a break and elevated my mood.

Finally, I made the decision to accept that I know what I know and that I don’t know what I don’t know. I know I’m going to have to remedy this problem by eventually walking away from it. Now is not the time to do that for a multitude of reasons, but that day will come and when it does I’ll be ready to make the leap. And, the universe works in mysterious ways. We don’t always immediately know why something’s happening or how it’s going to turn out in the long run. What we can do is trust that eventually it will all make sense and we’ll understand why things had to unfold the way that they did.

And in all that action, there is peace.

creativity

This just in: Reading Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates while traveling

Christa Avampato
My travel companions: Between the World and Me on my Kindle, passport, and neck pillow
My travel companions: Between the World and Me on my Kindle, passport, and neck pillow

Reading while traveling has always been special to me. While I’m learning about other cultures, books help me see how much I have to learn about my own home. While I was in Sarajevo and Budapest, I read Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. It is a tough and necessary read, especially for Americans who aren’t black. While I will never truly understand what it means to be black in America, I do want to understand as much and as best I can. This book forced me to wake up.

I live just north of Howard University, where Coates went to school and where his father worked for many years. After reading this book, I see Howard in a new light. That is sacred ground for its students because for many, their time there is the beginning of them feeling fully accepted and respected by those around them.

Coates talks about the constant pursuit by black Americans to work twice as hard to get half as far as whites in America. He talks about The Dream and The Dreamers, and how neither are fully accessible, much less possible, for many black people in America. He talks about the constant message we send to black youth—when dealing with storied institutions here, keep your head down, your mouth shut, and your eyes and ears open for danger. This book, and its truths, broke my heart

I will fully admit that I cried through much of the book, out of sadness, embarrassment, and anger. 250 years on from the end of the Civil War and still, it rages on in the streets all over this country. I had hoped the book would wrap up with ideas of how to solve the struggle. It didn’t. And maybe that’s the point. We can’t erase history. We can only learn from it and use it as context to frame the situation currently at-hand. Coates wrote this book as a guide to taking the first step on the journey, not a guide to get to some pre-determined destination.

With this book, I have more awareness and understanding of the anger and fear felt by the black community, especially in light of the year we’ve had. And that’s a start.