Every night before you go to sleep, look at the good you've accomplished during the day; measure your progress, and make plans for taking advantage of whatever opportunity the morning brings your way.

Simple Wisdom - Inspirational verses for each day!

As I went to bed last evening I was surrounded by 17 file folders--all works in progress: speaking engagements, writing projects, deadlines, and my "passionate to-do" folder--an ongoing list of the things I want to do, but haven't accomplished yet! The day had been one of constant interruptions and it seemed that "nothing" was being accomplished--I was faced with more "to-do's" and my passion for completing them was fading. But then I picked up the folder titled: Passionate Living Workshop. Then I had one of those lightbulb moments: Wait a minute, this is the whole purpose of what I do--to help others discover their passion! In the last chapter of Trading Ashes for Roses I explore the questions that helped me to discover my passion; it started with three simple questions: If you had a year to live, what would you do differently? What would change in your life now in order for that to happen? What are some goals you can make in order for that to become a reality (name at least three)?

Measure your progress one passionate goal at a time! For more helps and hints on discovering your passion, check out: Trading Ashes for Roses at http://www.conniepombo.com

Blessings and Joy,


Connie

"Roses--what would my life be without them--whether a single rosebud or an entire bouquet, they have transformed my life."

Ten years ago after being diagnosed with cancer, I never thought that a "rose" would change my life, but each day brings more roses--ones I never expected, including the book, Trading Ashes for Roses, my gift to anyone hurting from life's tragedies, pain and loss. Through my cancer journey, I discovered my passion--speaking and writing. That list of 27 things I wanted to do before I died is now complete--it's time to start a new one!

What's keeping you back from realizing your passions? Take some time to reflect on what it is you have always wanted to do, but didn't because there wasn't enough time. Well...there's no time like this present moment.

To help you get started, check out the last chapter of Trading Ashes for Roses and begin your journey of living the passionate life.

Blessings on this remarkable journey!

Last night at 7:30 p.m. I received a phone call that every parent dreads. It was from our youngest son, Jon, who just left for college in August. Well into my first trimester of the “empty-nest” phase, I was feeling confident I had passed the first hurdle with flying colors. Then the words, “Mom, I got hurt.” Visions of disaster poured into my mind of our child lying in a foreign hospital bed with no one to comfort him. Jon is passionate about sports: rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and tennis. What was it this time—a stray tennis ball? “Jon, what did you do?” Thankfully, he was lucid and able to explain in detail what happened. He said, “I was playing Ultimate Frisbee and got tackled—hitting my head on the ground. They think I have a concussion.” My overworked and tired brain turned to Jello! I couldn’t comprehend what I was hearing—this was his third concussion in a year’s time. Would his brain also turn to Jello? “I gotta go—I’ll call you later.” I prayed, “Lord this is our beloved son—please take care of him.” I fell asleep around 1:00 a.m. with my Bible and phone clutched to my chest.” I was awakened shortly afterwards and grabbed the phone on the second ring. Sweet words to a mother’s heart: “Mom, I’m okay—they sent me ‘home,’ I’ll talk to you tomorrow—I gotta go.” A dial tone filled the silence. “Home” was now the dorm room—not the place of comfort we created for him over the past 19 years. We gave him roots and now we were giving him wings—to pursue his passion! I passed my first test “How to Let your Children Go—101” Did I get a passing grade? I hope so! Although we can’t always be there physically, we can be there with our prayers. “Lord, you are the great protector—keep an eye on this child of ours.” Jon, will always be passionate about sports—we can’t keep him from it—but we can pray God’s protection on him. Passion—an intense emotion, a compelling desire—it can change our lives and those around us! (At the time of this writing, Jon is being sent a helmet!)

Recently I read that 84% of all Americans dislike their jobs or professions! I had to wonder about the dentist who drilled into my tooth last week (my 50th birthday present--a crown)! Does my dentist truly enjoy getting up each morning to drill teeth? Statistically speaking, 63% of us dread Monday mornings because we dislike our jobs so much. That's a lot of dissatisfied people! What would need to change for everyone to be passionate about what they were doing? I'm in the process of collecting "passionate" stories of lives changed by difficult circumstances. As strange as it may seem, those of us who have suffered the most have received an unexpected gift--living life passionately! It took a life-threatening illness for me to discover what I was truly passionate about, and it changed the way I would live the rest of my life. If you would like to share how you discovered your passion through difficult and painful circumstances, go to www.womensmentoringministries.com and write "passionately living" in the website feedback.

Passionately yours!

Connie

Amazing Grace
My dear friend who was diagnosed with cancer in September is learning to live life passionately--she has overcome all obstacles and scaled to new heights in her walk with the Lord and and her journey beyond cancer. She said, "Why did it take something like this for me to realize what is important in life?" Few who have heard the words, "cancer," can understand a statement like that, but for those lives that have been touched with tragedy, pain, and loss, we begin to sing the song "Amazing Grace" with new meaning!

Passionate Living
I have just completed my book, Trading Ashes for Roses: From Pain to Passion, it was a labor of love--I feel like I just gave birth without the OUCH! The book has been in my mind for 8 years and now it will be a reality in the spring of 2006. I never imagined my life would become what it has, but it is only through great pain and suffering that I realized my passion--speaking, writing, and photography. Since my diagnosis of cancer in 1996, I have had the great privilege of sharing with others how they too can transform their pain into passion. It has been an amazing journey and I look forward with joy to each new day. My son asked me the other day, "Mom, do you think you would be doing what you're doing today if you weren't diagnosed with cancer?" The answer is absolutely not! It's amazing to look back on the transformation. I look forward to the future with hope!