What matters--really?

On Sunday I spoke at Grace Baptist Church in Millersville in the morning service! I felt right at home because while growing up I attended Sunnymead Baptist Church in Southern California. It was there that I received Jesus as my Savior at the tender age of five. So many warm and precious memories flooded my heart as I spoke. I thought about how differently my life is now...I was once a "shy" little girl (ask my family?). I almost didn't graduate from Bible College because I didn't take Speech 101 and was willing not to graduate rather than take the course. So where did I end up? I had to take "Homiletics" (with a bunch of preacher boys--I was the only girl in the class!). That taught me to get over my fear really fast--sink or swim! In fact, they changed the entire structure of the program because of me (I was to give "sermonettes").

As I spoke on Sunday about "Taking Off Our Masks: Developing Christ-Centered Relationships," a woman came up to me afterwards and said, "What you said was so meaningful...we needed to hear your message." I hugged her and said, "Thank you, but it wasn't me...it was God speaking through me."

Today I'm blogging on Boomer Babes Rock (jump on over and check it out!). I share how walking through the local cemetery keeps my life in focus because my desire is to always point others back to God. I may be the writer, speaker, author for a short time on this earth, but my "heavenly" purpose is to always points others to the "Jesus" I found when I was five years old in a little Baptist Church in Southern California.

What really matters on this earth is allowing others to see "Jesus" in me and that's what I'm really passionate about!

Taking Ten Minutes

The backyard is my favorite place, but more so lately with limited mobility. To get you caught up to speed: While visiting my family in California I went dirt bike riding (not on my passionate to-do list) and a tree jumped out in front of me! A torn rotator cuff—among other things—was the end result. I'm in physical therapy twice a week, which has slowed me down quite a bit...something I needed.


But I'm back to taking pictures and that is my passion, something I discovered through my tragedy, pain and loss with cancer eleven years ago. Now I'm re-learning what I've always known...whatever you are going through in the "pain" department it opens your eyes to things you might have missed along the way! This sunset started out with the clouds rolled back as a scroll...like one of my favorite hymns. So guess what? I sang the sunset down! And because I was patient…I got this picture. Oh, I’m glad I waited 10 minutes!

"Sandcastles"

I just returned from California—the Bay Area—where my family lives. And I got to return to one of my favorite places—Santa Cruz. After a lovely meal at the famed Shadowbrook Restaurant (a must for anyone visiting Capitola), we walked along the beach—watching beachcombers, jugglers, children building sandcastles, and surfers gracefully riding the waves of the Pacific Ocean.

This picture caught my eye and tears glistened on my sunburned cheeks as I remembered my childhood in Southern California—countless hours on the beach with my sister, Mom and Dad. Now that I can count the age spots on my face, I probably would have used more sunscreen (but what did we know back then!). It was a blissful time, frolicking in the sand, jumping waves and allowing them to wash over me—threatening to carry me away. I, too, built sandcastles and watched the ocean swallow them up. Precious memories, made more special, because for the first time in eighteen years I spent Easter with my family. We all went to church together (taking up an entire row!), had an Easter egg hunt in the front yard, and shopped until we dropped. But the best part was spending time with each other—talking about the things that really mattered.

One of my favorite times was spent looking at lost treasure (not in the sand), but in the tiny back room in the garage where all my memorabilia lay: old love letters, photos from high school, yearbook albums, birthday cards, books from high school (who could forget reading Crime and Punishment from Sophomore English?), diplomas, reports cards (one from Miss Wheeler in third grade: "Connie is an excellent creative writer"). Umm . . . .

I took what was most important and left the rest. My mom is going to send me the box and I look forward to poring through all the treasure once again (cross-legged on the floor), and re-living memories of when there was just the four of us at 5018 Concord Blvd. in Concord, California (before baby brother, David, arrived!). But that's another story!

To be reminded of what's really important was so refreshing: the love of family and friends, the deep love that God has for all of us, and memories that can't be washed away like sandcastles on the beach.

Ready for Spring?

Spring has arrived--almost! Today it was 58 degrees and almost melted the two glaciers in our backyard. Green grass is starting to perk up and I saw some tiny yellow flowers as I took a 5-mile walk/jog/run today. Maybe they were weeds, but who cares? It was something other than "snow." This has been a long winter and I'm passionate about spring (new birth) that I can't wait for the daffodils and tulips to emerge from the cold, hard earth. Lately, I've been filling the house with fresh flowers--like the roses you see in this picture--just to remind me that there is a cycle to life: fall, winter, spring, and summer. Some of the seasons last longer than expected--like this winter.

To help me get in the mood faster, I'll be flying to California to visit my family for Easter. A much welcome change (the trees are in full bloom there!). If I need to, I'll bring my glue gun and put the blossoms back on the trees while I'm there.

If you're passionate about a certain season, let me hear about it (but please don't say "winter")!

Living Life Passionately,

Connie

Author, Trading Ashes for Roses

Living Outside the Box

This is our kitten's favorite place—an empty water container box. Several times now I've tried to throw it away, and she "cries" until I bring it back (three times now!). She loves this space—comfortable inside—looking out at the world. Sometimes she even pounces on it and it squishes to a flat piece of paper and then she "cries" some more until I build it back up to the way it was before. I'm not sure if she will "outgrow" it or if it's part of our new decor, "Bianca" style.

But isn't that they way we are? Take us out of our familiar surroundings and we feel unsettled. Some of us flourish in an environment that's new, but others of us flounder—"take me back to my box!" But think for a moment what your life would be like if you were forced to stay inside your “box”? There would be no growth, no stretch of the imagination, and worst of all, how would your passions survive?

Several years ago, I ventured outside my box. Comfortable in the medical field for years, I was like Bianca—it was safe. It was a sure thing: retirement with benefits, great pay, steady hours, and guaranteed work!

After living 10 years with a cancer diagnosis, I realize there's no guarantee of tomorrow—I just have "today." And I consciously choose to "live outside the box." Was it risky? Absolutely yes! Would I change anything? Are you kidding?! I have the best of both worlds: I can still use my medical knowledge to write articles for medical magazines and journals and best of all, I am “living” my passion daily—speaking and writing!

Ask God what it would take for you to live outside "your" box?

God's Coffee!

A dear friend of mine, Judy Dippel, from the CelebrateMoms team sent this great analogy about coffee. Pour a cup of coffee and "ponder" this thought:

A group of alumni, highly established in their
careers, got together to visit their old university
professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints
about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the
kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an
assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic,glass,crystal,
some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite -
telling them to help themselves to the coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the
professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking
expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain
and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want
only the best for yourselves, that is the source of
your problems and stress.

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the
coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in
some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you
really wanted was coffe e, not the cup, but you
consciously went for the best cups... And then you
began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money
and position in society are the cups. They are just
tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we
have does not define, nor change the quality of Life
we live.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail
to enjoy the coffee God has provided us." God brews
the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee!

The happiest people don't have the best of everything.
They just make the best of everything.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak
kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Living Life Passionately,


Connie Pombo

Visit my post today at Boomer Babes Rock with Allison Bottke!

A Portrait in the Sky!

The other night I was coming home and saw this beautiful sight: layers of sky, moon, and a landscape from the "Tuscan Sun." I'm passionate about taking pictures, which is why I "always" keep a disposable camera in the glove compartment of the car. I swerved off the side of the road, ran into a newly manured field to take this shot. (I later had to throw those shoes away, but it was worth it!) I am a sunset watcher only because I don't see the sun "rise" that often, but now I'm a moon watcher!

Living Life Passionately,

Connie

Where is this beach?

Here's a little Christmas in July for you! If you can name this beach, I will send you a book bundle giveaway, including: Conversations on Faith, God Allows U-Turns for Women, and Trading Ashes for Roses!

Hurry! Christmas is just around the corner. (Yes, you may enlarge it to get the "total" picture!)

Living Passionately,


Connie Pombo
Author, Speaker, Photographer?

A Christmas Carol?

Today I went to my favorite Bible Bookstore and was saddened to see that it was going out of business. It's always bittersweet, isn't it? You get terrific bargains, but at the same time you realize that people will be looking for jobs and the mega-chain store buying online and off is taking over the "little" stores.

As I browsed through the aisles--some half empty--I felt sick inside. I even saw my book, Trading Ashes for Roses: From Pain to Passion at half off. It's always strange for me to see my book in the bookstore, mainly because I haven't gotten used to my "author" title yet. I just think of myself as someone who is passionate about writing.

I still had a few people to buy for on my Christmas list, so I checked out the music section of CD's--most of them had been picked over. But I found one by Sandi Patty--it was a sound track for singers. Okay, I'm not a singer, but I am asked a lot if I sing. I think the world has the notion that if you're a speaker/author, obviously you must be able to sing too, right? Wrong!

Singing has never been on my passionate to-do list. In fact, it's never made it to the top 27. But I have to say, I bought the CD and listened to all five sound tracks (one with vocals, one without, and of course Sandi Patty singing the "real" version of "It is Well with My Soul." It's one of my most favorite hymns. Now mind you, I have acute laryngitis and acute bronchitis, so all I could do was lip-sync. It didn't seem too hard until I really tried to sing (I don't suggest it with laryngitis). And then I thought, I just might be able to do this.

I was actually surprised to find out that "singing" is not listed under the top 10 fears of most people--speaking in public is still #1, so it may not be that bad afterall. Guess what my new passion for the New Year is going to be?

Fear is what holds back most of us from living out our passions and who knows, I just might become passionate about singing. And then when meeting planners call and ask if I sing, I can say, "Yes, I'm actually passionate about it!"

Speaking of passion and adventure, check out my dear author friend Susan Kelly Skitt's new blogsite at Living Life's Adventure.

Now that I'm back in the blogging rhythm, you'll be hearing more from me so stay tuned.

Living Passionately,


Connie Pombo
Author, Speaker, "Singer"?

More Wildflowers

I call this photo "Tuscany in My Garden": the blues, yellows, and the gorgeous sunflower right smack dab in the middle--like the leaning Tower of Pisa--make me want to jump on an airplane right now and head for Italy!

This has been a great summer for flowers and discovering a new passion--gardening. My neighbor still hangs her head over the fence and says, "I don't believe those came from a packet of seeds!" But soon the landscape will be covered with snow and a different kind of beauty will erupt. Until then I'll take my flowers! (Oh, did I mention I use Miracle Grow!).

Let me hear about your passionate gardening tips; I'm still new at this!

Living Life Passionately,


Connie

Savoring Joy!

These are my "wildflowers" that greet me each morning! How can I find such joy in a $1.00 packet of seeds that continually paint the landscape of my backyard with a myraid of colors?

For the last ten years I have practiced the "art" of savoring the present moment--countless positive experiences: awe at a brilliant sunset, luxuriating in a Jacuzzi, smelling the earth after a summer's rain, basking in the laughter of children playing, and watching my "garden" grow! How is it possible? I have to admit--extroverts, optimists and "Sanguine" types--like myself--have a much easier time than others (it comes naturally to us). But we can all learn to enhance our ability to enjoy our everyday lives more fully and to "live" in the present moment. But unfortunately most of us are just too busy to notice; the "white" noise of life distracts us from living passionately.

Next time you pass by a field of wildflowers: stop and take a mental photograph. Consciously make note of the features you want to remember later! I have several "mental" photographs I pull out often (even before I was interested in photography). Although it's nice to have a "tangible" picture; it's not necessary. One such mental photograph is of Dardinel's Lake in the Sierra's (backpacking in California--the year 1974). We made cheesecake in the glacial snow and watched the chipmunks eat it (not our idea, but theirs!). The glacier was mirrored in the lake and created an upside portrait--forever etched in my memory. I will never lose that photograph. I savor the joy of it often!

Living Life Passionately,


Connie

Passionate about Montreal!

No visit to Montreal would be complete without a visit to the Basilica of Notre Dame. This magnificent castle in the sky can be seen from almost any location in the city. And if you're planning a wedding, it can be rented for a mere $10,000 a day (ask Celine Dion).




The basilica inside is breathtaking (pictures cannot do it justice!), and at night a sound and light show: "And then there was Light," which highlights all the features and heritage of this artistic masterpiece. Don't forget the flower vendors across the street with a cascading fountain of every conceivable variety and color.




Mark Twain said, "This is the first time I was ever in a city where you couldn't throw a brick without breaking a church window. Yet I was told you are going to build one more . . ." It can't be argued that this is a city of churches, but if I had to pick just one to visit: Notre Dame would be it!

I'm passionate about stained-glass windows and the ones inside the basilica won't dissapoint you. Be prepared to wait in line and spend a couple of hours (we're glad we did!). Afterwards wander the sidestreets for some dining "al fresco" at one of the charming cafes.



Auvoir!

Living Life Passionately,


Connie

Paris without the Jet Lag!

The best way to see Montreal is via a carriage ride through "Vieux Montreal," and ask for "Slim" (aka Mark). He's had the likes of DiNiro, DiCaprio, Madonna and Oko Yono in his carriage. Instead of looking at the great architecture of this picturesque city, I found myself enthralled by the tales of Slim's celebrity adventures! The clip-clop of the horse-drawn carriage on the cobblestone streets with the bells of Notre Dame echoing throughout the city--with an occasional passer-by shouting "Bonjour,"--I felt as if I were in "Paris" without the jet lag!

Did you realize more "European" films are filmed here than in LA? Why? Because it costs less to take an entire film crew to Montreal than to close off one street in LA for an hour! There are no highwires in Old Montreal, and gas street lanterns give the feel of Europe at a fraction of the cost. Such films as "The Score"; "Ghostbusters"; "The Avaiator," and get this--the steps of "Law and Order" have been filmed here. Can you tell I was soaking in the entire flavor and history of this rare and unique gem of a city!



Don't miss Place Jacques-Cartier on the slope to the waterfront. Here you will find flower markets, cafes, and Place Royale - the city's oldest public square which dates back to 1657. Side streets are filled with artistans at work with something for everyone with prices to fit any budget.



This is absolutely a photographer's paradise! I caught this window while sipping cafe au lait with a "real" croissant (located along Place Jacques-Cartier). Montreal is charming by day and enchanting by night! You will want to return--like me--to taste more of this decidedly French city on the North American Continent.

Now I'm passionate about "all things" French, and managed to pick up enough words to make me really dangerous! However, you're safe with: bonjour, bonsoir, and merci!

Living Life Passionately!


Connie

More on my trip tomorrow! Until then "Auvoir"!

"Oh, Canada!"

If you missed me this week, I've been blogging on God Allows U-Turns. Visit www.godallowsuturns.com to catch up on "Living the Passionate Life!"

Tomorrow, very early, we leave for Canada: Montreal and Quebec City! I've made my new passionate to-do list and I'm checking it twice!! Be prepared for a photo journal when I return. I've got lots of superb reading to take along with me (hubby is driving this time).

Thanks for all who sent me their passionate stories this week via e-mail. I'll respond when I return.


Living Passionately,


Connie

Bellagio

This picture was taken in 1997 when I first discovered my passion for photography: a moment caught in time. That time, that place, that person will never be the same again. But this photo is forever engraved in my mind! At any moment of the day I can close my eyes and see the snow capped alps of Switzerland, the palm trees, and the sapphire of lakes--Lake Como. Walking through the streets with buildings flag-bedecked, geraniums rustling from every window, bougainvillea veiling the staircases--I knew heaven had to be close by! As I walked into the gardens of Villa Serbelloni, once designed to cradle dukes and duchesses in high luxury, is now the haven for the discreetly wealthy. I, of course, am not! But for one moment in time, I was transported to a time and place that serves as a reminder of what "heaven on earth" looks like. Is it any wonder that the composer Verdi chose to compose "La Traviata" in Cadenabbia across from Bellagio--what a magnificent view he had!

You can see why my love for Italy and the Italian language lends itself to "Living Life Passionately!"

Ci vediamo domani! Ciao tutti!

Connie

Guest Blogger

The week of July 3-9, I will be a guest blogger on Allison Bottke's U-Turns website. Allison is the the creator of the U-Turn series and in March, the book was released, volume 5 of the series: God Allows U-Turns for Women: The Chocies We Make Change the Story of Our Life. "Living the Passionate Life!" is my contribution to the book, and I hope you will join me next week. An added bonus, each time you make a comment to one of the posts, your name will be added to a drawing at the end of each month. Hope to hear from you next week.

Living Life Passionately,


Connie

Retreat for Writers

Welcome to my retreat for the weary writer: The Conestoga House. This estate is open to the public every Wednesday with formal gardens with thousands of rare and exotic flowers/plants from around the world. The public is allowed access from June through September and it's absolutely free. A picnic lunch is allowed in the terraced garden area by the pool. This is my great escape! You're free to join me on Wednesday afternoons (if you're in Lancaster, PA)! LOL

I started going regularly last year because an author friend of mine confided in me that she lost her "passion" for writing. I was amazed--shocked really--that anyone could lose their passion once they found it! It seems to be epidemic among writers/speakers. Too much on their plate with deadlines and multi-tasking! Her words came as a great admonishment: anything taken to the extreme can become a weakness! Writing became a "chore" to her--an obligation to fulfill and, yes, one more deadline to meet. Her health suffered, her family lamented, and eventually she experienced a total breakdown. I cried--no sobbed--as she shared the loss of her passion. I wondered, "Would she ever write again?" She said, "I don't miss it at all--my life is full of people that I love--not deadlines. In the process of writing, I lost contact with those I love, my family and friends, and I kept putting things off because of deadlines." Does this sound familiar to any of you writers?!?!?!? Take heed!

I have taken very seriously what she said because I never want to lose my passion for writing, but as long as I'm hooked into the "passion giver," I think I will continue to love what I do.

Of late, I have met even more authors/speakers just like my friend. Create a refuge, guard against a writer's worst enemy--the loss of your first love--the Lord Jesus Christ! Find your own "Conestoga Gardens"--refresh and renew your weary soul! A deadline can wait--your soul cannot!

Living Life Passionately,

Connie

Greek Tragedy or Roman Drama?

For those of you who have never given birth in a foreign culture, you have missed one of life's greatest moments. In less than 45 minutes, my oldest son, Jeremy, will turn 25 years old. He was born in Catania, Sicily (the little island off the boot of Italy!). We had a "Cinque-Cento" for a car, which is just about as big as a loaf of bread, and with my nine-month pregnant tummy--we had a car load full! I gave birth in a small clinic without a doctor. I truly believed them when they told me I would deliver sometime the next day!). Jeremy came kicking and screaming into the world in less than three hours after my arrival (while I slept--please don't hate me for having a nearly non-existent labor). I was surprised as anyone to realize that "birth" was so easy (what was that verse in the Bible?). I was expecting unbearable pain, but quite frankly I was scared by all the other laboring Italian women shouting, "Maria, aiutami!" (Translation: Mary, help me!) The only real drama that occurred was watching everyone else run around with haste trying to get me to the delivery room (don't move a laboring woman!). I won that battle and Jeremy was born. I was passionate about giving birth; it was just too much fun! My only disappointment was it didn't last long enough and I didn't get to use my "American" Lamaze classes that we took at Signonella Air Base. I expect those of you who have labored for 36 hours will be giving me a call and letting me know of your disgust! But I have "suffered" in other ways--just not childbirth!

Italians live life passionately without trying (I know I married one), and if I had to do it all over again, all my children would be born there. La dolce vita! Add Italy to your passionate places to visit--you will never regret it!

The "birth" of our passions is often the result of great suffering, but more on that later. Tune into www.godallowsuturns.com where I will be sharing how God used another kind of suffering to reveal my passions. (I will be blogging the week of July 3-9.)

Living Life Passionately,


Connie Pombo

My Son is Living His Passion

Jeremy, my 24-year-old son, called me on his cell phone from "El Cap" in Yosemite. He's the rock climber and is in "rock climbing heaven" right now. Last night they did a nine-pitch climb using their headlight gear and he said, "It was great, Mom; I could see the stars above and it was "pitch" dark below us." Great! There are some things a mom just doesn't need to know!

He's coming home tomorrow on his twenty-fifth birthday, June 30! But I think he already had the best gift of all--"Yosemite"--a rock climber's paradise.

Holding onto the "Rock"!

Living Life Passionately,


Connie

Superman Returns in 3-D at the IMAX

I just got back from a fun writing assignment: Reporting on Superman Returns in 3-D at the IMAX. Okay, I know what you're thinking?!?!? But I will never see a movie again unless I can see it on an IMAX screen in 3-D. Did you know that the film they use is three times larger than normal size film, the projector is the size of a car, and the light is so bright that it can be seen from space!!! The popcorn and drinks were great too--I love this job! I'm passionate about certain movies, but this absolutely tops the list. This is your movie critque's corner for today!

Living Life Passionately,

Connie