Christa Avampato's Blog, page 44

Write every day: A collage to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day

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“Breathe in the Roses, Blow Out the Candles”

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and embody this time we’re in, I created this paper collage titled “Breathe in the Roses, Blow Out the Candles”. The title is inspired by Danny Burstein’s quote about his respiratory therapist’s advice to him for his lung strengthening exercises. Just as COVID-19 makes it difficult for us to breathe, the pollution we’ve caused on the planet in many different ways makes it difficult for the Earth’s proverbial lungs to breathe.

I create these paper collages by cutting up magazine pages and piecing them back together with meaning and intention. It’s a reminder to me that from the pieces we can build back better. My hope is that we will see this opportunity not to just reopen and go back to our old ways, but to embrace the fact that the health of the planet is intricately linked to the health of all beings who call it home, including us.

Happy Earth Day. Let’s make sure that the next 50 years are far better for our beautiful planet than the first 50 have been. We have the capability to make that so. What we need is the will and commitment to be better global citizens.

Write every day: I’ll be talking about writing today with the Decatur Book Festival and YayFinder

[image error]Today I’ll be live on the Decatur Book Festival’s Instagram with YayFinder at 1:00pm Eastern talking about young adult books, my path as an author, and advice to keep writing during this time. I hope you’ll join me at 1pm! Just go to the Decatur Book Festival’s Instagram and click their profile picture that will say “Live”.

Write every day: Is now the time for higher education?

In economic downturns, many people re-consider whether or not they should pursue higher education. This article explores the layers of hardship now on higher education. Two of my alma maters—University of Pennsylvania and Arizona State University—are both highlighted. The impacts are much deeper and could last much longer than in other industries.

Online learning isn’t even close to a full solution for these times but it did make me wonder if this is the time for people to pivot careers, carve out new opportunities, or pursue an academic passion they’ve delayed. Can this time of reflection, pain, and discomfort be a rebirth? Can universities and current and prospective students transform higher education in new ways? Will costs come down? Will pre-requisites be dropped? Will non-traditional students and non-traditional paths be more welcome? Will new doors be built and opened where there were only walls before?

If I were the head of a university, these are the questions I’d be asking now. Their survival may depend on the answers.

Link to article: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/15/us/coronavirus-colleges-universities-admissions.html

Write every day: My one-year anniversary

Today marks one year since I left my full-time job to pursue an independent career path for the second time. I’ve learned so much, met incredible people, and am immensely proud of the work I’ve done with clients. Here’s to many more years of building my own road! More about my work at Https://doubleornothingmedia.com

Write every day: Live With Carnegie Hall kicks off today with Tituss Burgess

[image error]If you love Tituss Burgess and musical theater, tune into Live with Carnegie Hall today at 3pm EDT. With special guests Frank DiLella, Jason Robert Brown, and Angel Blue, join via Carnegie Hall’s Facebook and Instagram.

Details here: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Explore/Watch-and-Listen/Live-with-Carnegie-Hall

Write every day: Stargazing

With so many people staying home and businesses closed, the stars are more visible than ever, even in cities like NYC that typically has few stars visible. So go outside tonight, masks on, hand sanitizer in-hand, a safe social distance from others, and just look up. There are joys around us, mixed in with the sadness and heartbreak and fear. They’re worth seeing, too. I’ll be looking up with you.

Write every day: I’m a quarterfinalist for the Screencraft Fellowship

It’s odd to feel joy right now. I literally cried when I saw I’m a quarterfinalist for the ScreenCraft Fellowship for my feature film script, Wild and Precious Lives. This is my first feature film script that I’ve written so this sign of encouragement means more than I have words to express. They had ~3,000 entires. About a quarter of those make it to the quarterfinals and go into the next round of reading and judging.

Huge thanks to my friend and writing mentor, John Bucher, for his priceless advice and belief in my work, and particularly for his notes on this script.

Here’s the logline: “When they orchestrate a massive student protests against American isolationism, four friends at an all-women’s college in Virginia face intense punishment from their school’s vindictive administration in the pivotal month of December 1941 before war completely transforms the trajectory of their lives.” 

Write every day: Free online meditations from Headspace

If you’re experiencing anxiety and stress during this time, you’re not alone. Headspace has created a set of free on-demand meditations and at-home mindfulness exercises available to everyone to help us through this difficult time. I’m very grateful to Governor Andrew Cuomo and his staff for recognizing the mental health challenges of this crisis, and for actively seeking out partnerships to provide resources for us. Access these free resources at this link: https://www.headspace.com/ny 

Write every day: Finding hope in science

Need to hear about hopeful ways science and biomimicry are working to stop the spread of COVID-19? I’m honored to be presenting my research and work at this Call to Action webinar on Tuesday, 4/7 at 2pm EDT with my colleagues and you can attend! The webinar is free and you need to register to receive the log-in information. Register at: bit.ly/2Ra2AF5

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Write every day: 2 ways to give help and 2 ways to get help

[image error]This morning here are two easy ways to give help and two ways to get help if you need it:

Give help:

1.) Buy and donate cookies from the Girl Scouts for yourself, loved ones, and our brave healthcare workers!

This year the Girl Scouts had to cancel all of their in-person cookie drives which go to fund a lot of their activities and help girls around the world. So they moved the whole operation online with delivery. Online you can buy cookies for yourself, send cookies to others, or donate them to our brave healthcare workers!

Link: https://www.girlscouts.org/en/cookie-care.html

2.) #Chalk4Joy

Share JOY on the Sidewalks of the World today! A global chalk painting celebration for you to do at home. Share what JOY looks like to YOU by:

– Doing a chalk drawing on your sidewalk outside (at a safe social distance from others) or on paper at home with anything you have.

– Share photos of your work on social media with the hashtags #ChalkTheWalk #Chalk4Joy

– Send pictures of your art to chalk4peace@gmail.com

Get help:

1.) Free food for all New Yorkers in need

If you or anyone you know in NYC needs food, 3 free meals will be available for ALL New Yorkers at more than 400 Meal Hubs, Monday – Friday: http://schools.nyc.gov/freemeals. No questions asked. Please help spread the world about this.

2.) Call your financial institutions if you need help

A lot of people are struggling financially right now and that’s causing a tremendous amount of stress. Many banks and financial institutions like Bank of America (which has been my bank for many years) have stepped up to say that they will work with customers, cancel certain fees, and offer extra assistance. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to call them to ask for help. They have the means and they want to help you get through this. Call the toll-free number on the back of your card or contact them via their website to explore your options. Please tell your neighbors, friends, and family about this.