Yes, I am...real!

I'm a real person, and I read your letters. As much as possible, I reply individually, and sometimes I reply on the site.

We're writing history together, you and I. We're recording the good of our time.

If future generations or even people from other worlds would see us right now, what would they see? If they had to base their opinions of us on today's headlines and stories in the mass media - what would they think?

How would you like to be perceived by your children and theirs? Wouldn't it be great if they found out that you were a messenger of hope and peace? Future generations will read the WOW story, and because of you, they'll know that amid all the chaos of our time, there was good too!

Tell the world that you Wish Only Well! Add your name to The WOW List!

And now, here's a little more about my background, for all who wrote wanting to know.

Carmen Colombo

In the course of my career, I have been fortunate to work in many different fields, such as Communications, Fashion, Interior Decorating, Construction, Marble & Granite furniture design, Hospitality Industry, Arts & Entertainment, Advocacy and more.

In every capacity, my biggest strengths are my genuine interest in people and in learning all there is to know about my work so that I may perform at my best level. Information is power.

I learned how to effectively communicate with individual thinkers, keeping in mind their background and cultures. I had and still do have the pleasure of communicating with people from around the world in the course of both business and pleasure. This has led me to respect and appreciate our diversity as well as our similarities. The most important thing that I learned is that people are people, no matter what their title is. 

In the course of time and through the varied types of people and situations that I have encountered, I can safely say that I am open-minded, understanding and aware. These qualities are essential when dealing with people for any reason, as they facilitate communication and exchange.

I participated in all aspects of various Trade shows in North America, and worked with designers, architects and artists in the fields of fashion, home decorating and furniture design. I also created showroom displays, and designed logos and other graphic art transferable on various mediums for businesses and individuals.

I am a writer and some of my articles have been featured in various publications. I created and maintain an internet web site called www.wowzone.com, an interactive arts/education/entertainment magazine. Its readership includes people from all around the world who are interested in spreading a positive message of hope, peace and goodwill. WOW focuses on bringing out the best in people and situations, and its phenomenal success is a triumph for the human spirit.

I was born in Italy and immigrated to Canada with my family when I was 5 years old. I was fortunate to be taught in both Canadian Official Languages (English and French) in my elementary grades, and later went on to study Tourism and Administration at Lasalle College in Montreal. I obtained a Human Sciences Degree from Vanier College in St-Laurent, Quebec.

I traveled extensively to many countries which I consider to be a very high form of education in the school of life. My hobbies are eclectic as well, and I enjoy above all people, animals and nature.

So, now you know, more or less. But it's just a part of life, because work is only a part of life. Life is full of many things and many surprises.

I had some major shocks to my system. I escaped death by a hair so many times, that it sounds like fiction, even to me. But if I had to choose just one example of how life works in mysterious ways, I would have to mention the Big One of October 18, 1989 - the day I collided with a freight truck on the highway.

The fact that I came out of it alive amazed everyone who saw the accident. Even the helicopter traffic reporter said that there was a huge accident and he seriously doubted that anyone would have survived it. But I did. I came out of my car in one piece. I was in shock and didn't feel my injuries immediately: broken ribs, broken sternum, internal bleeding and serious back injuries. I felt it later that night when the shock wore off at the hospital. The recovery was extremely slow and horribly painful, and I even had to face the possibility that I would not walk again. But I do. In fact, I dance too!

Nonetheless, something like that can change your life. It changed mine. I feel and think differently than I did before the crash. When I was through blaming the world for what happened to me, I still had a lot of time to think. And I see life in a totally different light now.

People say that it's easy to Wish Only Well when you're happy, but when you're suffering, it's a different story. It's true. It is hard. But it's worth the effort, because once you get over the initial block, it really helps you. It brings you peace.

Remember that what's important in life is not what happens to you or around you, but rather, what happens INSIDE you. We all have reasons to be bitter and disappointed. We all have experiences that test us beyond our comprehension. However, it's what we do with those experiences that defines us.

Don't let the world tell you who you are and how to act. Be yourself, be a shining example of humanity!

Wishing only well,

Carmen Colombo

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