Category: creativity

creativity

A Year of Yes: Reflection on the election

Christa Avampato

While I’m glad to see the flip in the House, and the election of the first Muslim women to Congress, the first openly gay governor, and the largest number of women to ever serve our country, I can’t help but think about how much it took for those narrow wins and the painful narrow losses. I know many of you worked hard phone and text banking, canvassing, posting, donating, volunteering, and running. And a huge thank you to those who turned out to vote.

We have elected the most diverse set of candidates this country has ever had! I know you’re tired. I’m tired, too. And I also know that 2020 begins now. Literally today. We have a huge amount of work ahead of us. And this isn’t about Democrats versus Republicans. This is about the bedrock of our democracy. This is about basic human decency and dignity. And I’m ready to do what’s needed today and every tomorrow I have. I love this country, and I believe in its future. I believe in our ability to collectively restore what’s been gutted by this administration.

creativity

A Year of Yes: Please vote

Christa Avampato

45364087_10104625348441456_5687772855916298240_nNot voting is voting – it’s voting to hand your power over to someone else. The greatest enemy to our democracy is not a person, a party, or a policy. It’s apathy. It’s a lack of action. It’s not voting. Today, claim your power. Vote. Your rights depend on it. My rights depend on it. We are in this together. Please vote.

creativity

A Year of Yes: I’ve got a healed up tattoo and I’m ready to vote!

Christa Avampato

45400778_10104626900855406_636437080079073280_oWhat’s your plan to vote? I’m ready to use my fully-healed tattoo of Thor’s hammer in the name of justice tomorrow by casting my vote for the midterms. I hope you will, too. NY doesn’t have early voting and I expect long lines in my district so I will be there as soon as the polls open. Get to the polls. Help other people get to the polls. Stay in line. Care. Be heard. Participate. Vote! (And thank you Mehai Bakaty of fineline tattoo nyc!)

creativity

A Year of Yes: Paid to tell my story

Christa Avampato

A bit of bright news on a dark morning in New York City. I went to my mailbox this morning to find a check for my first paid speaker fee as an author. I’ve done a lot of public speaking for the companies I’ve worked for and owned. I’ve had expenses covered and expensive conference fees waived. Today is the very first time I’ve received a speaking fee for just being me and for telling my own personal story. And that feels amazing.

creativity

A Year of Yes: Happy book birthday to Emerson Page

Christa Avampato

Screen Shot 2018-09-01 at 9.15.58 AMOne year ago today, I became an author. Thank you so much for all of the love and support during this entire process. It took me 8 years to bring Emerson to life and share her with the world, and her story both saved and changed my life in ways I never even imagined were possible. Happy birthday to my bold, brave girl, Emerson Page. Thank you for letting in the light.

Next stop: Emerson and I will be at the Miami Book Fair from November 15th – 18th where we’ll collect the Readers’ Favorite Award for Young Adult Fiction – Adventure (Gold).

Grab a copy of Emerson’s story on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores everywhere.

 

creativity

A Year of Yes: Happy Halloween!

Christa Avampato

Happy Halloween from me and my little caped crusader! You can vote for me and Phineas here for his daycare Halloween costume contest here: https://woobox.com/9rtqyk/gallery/519moZsOBzg

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creativity

A Year of Yes: A smile really does help

Christa Avampato

Screen Shot 2018-10-29 at 8.26.13 PMMe: “How’s your day?”

Cashier: “It was so-so. But you have a really beautiful smile and I feel so much better about my day now because of you.” (He said this as he put his hand to his heart and there was something about that gesture that really meant a lot to me.)

This is an interaction I had yesterday after I had a really terrible day. To be honest, I forced myself to smile at this cashier because I was trying to make myself feel better. And the smile did help me, or at least it helped me feel better to make someone else’s day better.

Small gestures make a big impact. Sometimes something as simple as a “hi, how are you?”, meaning it, and smiling really does help. So here’s a smile today if you need one. Pass it on. Let’s work on bringing the light where and when we can to anyone who needs it.

creativity

A Year of Yes: Solidarity with Pittsburgh and the Jewish Community

Christa Avampato

creativity

A Year of Yes: I fear no one

Christa Avampato

Yesterday was an unnerving day in New York City. My office is 7 blocks from CNN where the bomb squad was deployed. All I have to say is this: if extreme right-wing terrorists think for a second that they’re going to deter me from voting in the midterms, I can assure them that they are wrong. I. Fear. No one.

creativity

A Year of Yes: Social justice for our students

Christa Avampato

This week I’m speaking at a social justice event at a high school in New York. The basis of my talk is about mental health and healing. My main points are:

-We can say our weak things in a strong voice.

-The function of freedom is to free others by telling our story.

-We need to show up for others the way we want them to show up for us.

What do you think?