I tell wonder-filled stories about hope and healing
I’m trying out something new in my social media feeds – short poems about daily learnings. You can check them out on my Twitter and Instagram feeds. Here’s the one I put up yesterday:
What if you
could run hard
to the edge of the cliff,
take to the sky,
and fly?
Where would you go?
What would you do?
And why?
Me?
You’d find me
soaring higher, higher, and higher,
just to see how far I could go.
~CRA
The only work you have to do is find and do the work you’re meant to do. That’s enough; that’s always been enough. Just do that.
Thank you to Children’s Museum of Manhattan for the tour of this church that’s been abandoned for 15 yrs & will soon be the new home for the museum. My museum-loving friends & I had a blast! This church is across the street from the apartment building where I used to live and I’ve admired it from the exterior for years. It was fascinating to actually be able to go inside and explore it. From an abandoned ballroom to vaulted ceilings, a sealed safe, and the stunning stain glass, I was completely inspired by this space! Pretty sure Emerson Page is going to find her way in here…
Day #1 of books that influenced my life. This book came into my life at a critical point when I was very much trying to figure out what I would do with my life to make this world a better place. 6 months after finishing it, I went to South Africa w/ 30 of my Darden classmates. That trip changed me in ways that I am still discovering all these years later. It made me a writer & storyteller. On his 100th birthday, I am thinking of Nelson Mandela, grateful that we had him in this world. Grateful for his teaching, his wisdom, and his passion. And also sad because we could really use a man that great of heart now.
What impact are current developments in immigration laws having on New Yorkers? How can we help NYC public high school students resolve their immigration status – and what are their stories?
Join the Immigration Project of Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) on Friday, July 27th at Caveat for a lively talk about the current legal landscape and its actual impacts on our clients, as well as a screening of the documentary _4 Stories for New York_. This 29 minute documentary features four clients of the VOLS Immigration Project sharing personal stories about their immigration trajectory, including the role legal assistance played in their lives. Elizabeta Markuci, Director of the Immigration Project at VOLS, will lead a discussion on immigration law developments, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) litigation and legislation.
The mission of the VOLS Immigration Project is to resolve immigration issues for New York City public high school students so that they can work, attend college and have an opportunity to achieve the American Dream. VOLS recruits, trains, and mentors pro bono lawyers to help these youth overcome their immigration issues and give them a chance to succeed. Proceeds of the event benefit the Immigration Project, allowing the Project to continue and augment our important work in securing the immigration status of vulnerable NYC youth.
Tickets available at:
https://volsimmigration.eventbrite.com
Doors 6pm, program 6:30pm. Friday, July 27th, 2018 at Caveat, 21A Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis – arrive at 6:00pm for best seating.
If you cannot attend, please consider making a donation by following the same link for tickets. More information on the Immigration Project is available at http://www.volsprobono.org/projects/immigration-project
My year of yes is more than halfway done and I’ve got to say that saying yes to everything I possibly can has been both exhilarating and exhausting. It has led me down strange paths that I never would have explored, or would have explored eventually after spending many long hours of planning. In this year of yes, I’m just going for it, perfect or otherwise. (And it’s almost always otherwise.) But I’m also learning to let go of outcomes at breakneck speeds. I’m learning the power of staying present and doing what I can and want to do in the moment. It’s made me much more spontaneous. It’s making my curious brain and extroverted personality to try new things just for their own sake and value and not what they may lead to. And that has been a gift, albeit it a tiring one, that I’m very grateful to receive.
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You’ll always find people who are helping.” -Fred Rogers
I keep coming back to this. I’m so glad we had Mister Rogers. I wish we still did. I’m so grateful for his example. The helpers help us to keep going. And we can follow their lead. No matter how bad things are, we will always feel better, be better, and make the world better if we decide to be the helpers we’re looking for. Nothing gets better unless we get better, and we have the power to do that. Right now, right where we are, with exactly what we have. There is always a way to help. So let’s find it.
If you need some good news today, feast your eyes on this Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/waspa_art/
I think all of the social media and press circulating about Kareem Waris Olamilekan’s artwork is amazing. And I’d like to do more than just spread the word. How do we help support him as a working artist and help him continue his art education? I’m going to reach out to his school and teacher, and will share more information when I have it.
Like everyone else I know, I am riveted and inspired by Hannah Gadsby’s show, Nanette. (If you haven’t seen it, go to Netflix immediately. I will not at all be offended that you stop reading this blog post because she is genius.) Her words about storytelling are the ones that really got me, and they are powerful advice and wisdom for all of us, and particularly those of us who tell stories in any way, shape, or form.
“I think I have to quit comedy. Because there’s a difference between stories and jokes. Stories have 3 parts: a beginning, middle, and end. Jokes have 2: beginning and middle. You learn from the part of the story you focus on. I need to tell my story. My story has value. I will not allow my story to be destroyed. Stories are our cure.”
I’m bonkers excited about the next performance of New York City’s Secrets and Lies on Wednesday, August 8th at 7pm at Caveat, a speakeasy on the lower east side made for intelligent nightlife (with a killer wine and beer list). John Bucher, Leslie Goshko, Ashley Semrick, Erin Hunkemoeller, and our special filmmaker guest are going to wow you with fantastical tales of our amazing city’s history. 3 are true. 1 is a lie. The audience separates fact from fiction.
I made you this trailer video to give you a peek at what it’s like to be at our show. Oh, and a few tips: we have an amazing audience prize from Untapped Cities and our special guest needs you for his new film project so come on down and learn what it’s all about! Tickets on sale now at http://caveat.nyc/event/new-york-citys-secrets-and-lies-8-8-18/.
Christa Avampato 