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Happy New Year!
“It doesn’t matter where you are coming from. All that matters is where you are going.”
~ Brian Tracy
The Year in Review
The Sassos had a busy year. We enjoyed a summer vacation at the Hard Rock Café resort in Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic. We had a blast swimming in the many pools and lazy rivers, as well as in the ocean. The food was delicious. Although John Robert got a little sick, that didn’t slow him down. We also watched a theater performance each night.
In August, John Robert played the role of Michael in Peter Pan, and did a great job. Three days later, he started at Learning Prep, his new middle school. He was only able to attend for one day, and then he had his open-heart surgery. He was in and out of the Intensive Care Unit in only 2 days—and he made it out of the hospital in only 4 days. It was a whirlwind ride!
He made it back to school at the end of September, and in October, John Robert and his friend Jason played the two wicked stepsisters in the musical Cinderella. The boys stole the show. My son as a drag queen, it was funny. He’s pursuing Jazz, Tap, Drama, and Boy Scouts.
John is still working for Nextegic, and he is going on 4 years. Lisa is still working for herself, and doing her coaching and motivational speaking. This year Lisa earned her PCC (Professional Certified Coach) accreditation for coaching— through the ICF (International Coach Federation), and also her PSM (Professional Speakers Member) for speaking—through the NSA (National Speakers Association).
Mom and Dad Tosi celebrated their birthdays in December, and Mom and Dad Sasso had their birthdays in April. All the grandparents are doing well. Dad Sasso had both knees replaced this year. Mom Tosi is still suffering from memory issues.
This past year I was able to donate more than $1,000 to Children’s Hospital from the proceeds of my book, Motivation Now!. I thank you and appreciate all of you who purchased my book. Now, I am giving back to you and Children’s Hospital in the form of my Goal Setting Seminar on the 30th.
Please save the date for Goal Setting for Success with Accountability, Balance and Gratitude on Wed., January 30, 2019 from 6:30pm-8:30pm (use the sign-up genius link below to reserve your spot).
Here’s wishing you a Happy New Year. I hope you and everyone in your family are healthy and well. — From The Sasso’s
With gratitude and best wishes,
Lisa Sasso, Executive Coach & Motivational Speaker
www.MedDevCoach.com (781) 872-1045
As your trusted adviser, Lisa empowers you to use passion to live your best life and achieve your goals with confidence, accountability, gratitude and balance.
Season’s Greetings Now!
It’s hard to believe that we’re already in the middle of December; the end of the year will be here before you know it. Have you met your goals for 2018? There are still a few weeks left.
And looking ahead, if you want to start off your new year right with new goals for 2019, you’ll want to attend my 4th Annual Goal Setting for Success with Accountability, Balance and Gratitude Seminar. Click here for more information on the Seminar. It’s a fundraiser, so there is no cost for the session, but you are encouraged to give a nominal amount to Boston Children’s Hospital (suggested donation $10-$20).
You may know that my son had open heart surgery at Children’s in August of this year, and this is one way I give back to them. I also sell my books, and 50% of the proceeds go to Children’s Hospital. (If you’d like to buy my book, click here for a link to Amazon). I’m pleased to let you know that I’m writing out a check for over $1,000 to Children’s Hospitalfrom my book sales— and if you bought a book, I thank you. My goal is to collect another $500-$700 in donations at my workshop for Children’s Hospital; that’s 50-70 people giving just $10 each.
December is a giving time of year. Doesn’t it feel good to be giving as opposed to receiving? This is the month when we give to all our favorite charities. Make sure that you donate to your special causes, groups, clubs and schools. No matter what holiday you celebrate,
• Enjoy time with your family and friends.
• Enjoy the good food and tasty desserts.
• Enjoy the magic in the season.
Here is a photo from our house after putting up our tree. Wishing you best wishes from our house to yours.
I’m looking forward to seeing you at my 4thAnnual Goal Setting Seminar, mentioned above. First come, first served, and I’m offering it first to all you wonderful friends who read my Monthly Motivational Message blog, so that you can sign up if you want to go. Also, you’re welcome to bring a friend, just make sure that you’re both registered through the Sign Up Genius (link below). The seminar is scheduled for: January 30th – 6:30-8:30 pm, at Constant Contact in Waltham. Click here for more information.
And thank you in advance for your generosity. I feel that we have a TEAM approach to Goal Setting and working together: Together Everyone Achieves More.
Again, my sincere good wishes for a spectacular holiday season. I look forward to seeing many of you on January 30th. Until then, enjoy your holidays. Happy New Year!
With gratitude and best wishes,
Lisa Sasso, Executive Coach & Motivational Speaker
www.MedDevCoach.com (781) 872-1045
As your trusted adviser, Lisa empowers you to use passion to live your best life and achieve your goals with confidence, accountability, gratitude and balance.
HOME NOW! SCHOOL NOW!
“Sometimes we don’t realize the blessings we have until we no longer have them. Appreciate all the blessings in your life, take none for granted.”
— Catherine Pulsifer
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. John Robert went into Children’s Hospital two weeks ago today for open heart surgery, and miraculously, 4 days later he came home. Now he needs to continue to rest, recover and get stronger.
He’s an All-Star, as his shirt shows. He’s also a trooper and a “miracle kid” —which is how they referred to him at the hospital. You know, we expected him to be in the hospital for 10-14 days, and he was out in just 4 days! He is remarkable, and keeps us all in a state of wonder.
On Friday, September 14th he will be going back to Children’s Hospital for some tests. If all goes well, the doctors might authorize him to go back to school. He’ll be starting 6th grade at Learning Prep in West Newton,
We all want the best for our kids. I just want John Robert to go back to school safely. Learning Prep is a middle school, and a new school for him. He’s really looking forward to it, and I hope that he’ll be able to make the transition easily. Especially since he will have missed the first 2-3 weeks of school because of his surgery.
Of course, September is the month all of our children or grandchildren go back to school, excited about a year of adventure to come. Whether they’re off to pre-school or college, we all get to re-live a little of our own history through our kids or grandkids. Take a few moments now to relish this, and find joy in thinking of all the good times that they’re about to enjoy.
Prayers and good wishes to all kids starting new grades for a year full of adventure!Do you remember your favorite teacher? I recently connected back up with two of my elementary school teachers, and it’s great being back in touch with them. I want to do a call-out right here to Ms. Florencourt and Ms. Tierney, and thank them for attending my workshops. You two ladies are the best!!!
SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 12th Annual Transitioning into and within the Medical Device Industry. Click here for more information and registration details.
Wishing all of you continued hope, inspiration and motivation.
With gratitude and best wishes,
Lisa Sasso, Executive Coach & Motivational Speaker
www.MedDevCoach.com (781) 872-1045
As your trusted adviser, Lisa empowers you to use passion to live your best life and achieve your goals with confidence, accountability, gratitude and balance.
OPEN HEART SURGERY NOW!
“Wish me courage and strength and a sense of humor—I will need them all.”
— Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Yes, it’s unfortunately true: our son, John Robert, needs open heart surgery again, and it’s scheduled for later this month at Boston Children’s Hospital. It’s been 8 years since his first operation, and he wasn’t expected to need this major surgery again until he became a teenager. However, his medical team determined that he needs it now because he has grown so fast—3 inches taller each year for the last 3 years, meaning that his heart is already the same size as—or even larger than— an average adult heart.
The good news is that Dr. Pedro del Nido will again be the lead surgeon. We know that John Robert is in great hands with Dr. del Nido, who is the Number One pediatric cardiac surgeon in the world who performs the “Cone Procedure” that John Robert needs.
My husband and I will be staying right by his side. He really doesn’t remember his first surgery, and so far he’s handling the prospect of this upcoming operation very well. And for our part, we’re trying to keep the worrying and the chattering about the surgery to a minimum—except when our boy wants to talk about it—and then we’re all ears. I feel that it’s healthy to talk about it, and for me it’s actually cathartic.
During John Robert’s early years, I used to write a daily blog whenever he was in the hospital, and a lot of my followers subscribed to his “Sparkysfriend” Carepage [Carepages is no longer active, we have created a new page on the CaringBridge site. Those interested in receiving updates should let us know and we will send you an invite to the page]. The first 7 years of my blogs were all grouped by month, and were eventually formed into my book, Motivation Now! There were many blogs about John Robert overcoming challenges, and I think that I will re-read my book to get the motivation I need to get me through this.
Everyone needs motivation to get through their challenges in life. I have the cutest, bravest 11-year- old son. We are all saying our prayers and hoping that the surgery is uneventful.
John Robert and Lisa at Foxwoods August 2018
This summer, we were all in Punta Cana for a week. Then we went to Canobie Lake Amusement Park, and finally had a wonderful time swimming at Foxwoods. All in all, it has been a great summer. John Robert also did a week of Boy Scout camp, 3 weeks of summer school, a week of dance camp, and will be ending the summer with 2 weeks of drama camp.
We have done our best to keep him busy and keep his surgery off his mind. He is going to be fine. I repeat this mantra daily, and I now actually believe it. He was doing so well, and even his scar was almost invisible. Nothing ever stays the same in life.
Change is the only constant.
With gratitude and best wishes,
Lisa Sasso, Executive Coach & Motivational Speaker
www.MedDevCoach.com (781) 872-1045
As your trusted adviser, Lisa empowers you to use passion to live your best life and achieve your goals with confidence, accountability, gratitude and balance.