The Power of a Dream

 August 19, 2009 by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

On June 10, 2009 my son Alex was drafted by the Boston Red Sox and his life long dream had finally come true. It was without a doubt one of the most agonizing and emotional days of my life.

For the past year Alex had been heavily scouted and most of the scouts assured him that they would take him somewhere in the top ten rounds. I was glued to my computer in my office and Alex was on his laptop in the family room. My heart and spirit dropped when we moved into the eleventh round and his name had not been called. Alex came into my office and said “Well, I can always go back to school and hope it happens next year.”

And then suddenly the phone started ringing off the hook!! Calls came in from the San Diego Padres, the Seattle Mariners, the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox. My son fielded inquiries like a pro and to my utter surprise turned down their offers! He wasn’t being greedy, but he clearly knew his value and worth and also knew that a degree from Duke University (whether he’d return for his senior year or sign in his junior year) was his bargaining chip.

By the 20th round, I was near tears and he was amazingly calm and at one point said to me, “Well, it looks like this isn’t happening this year. It’s OK Mom.”  Then the Chicago Cubs called back and offered him the kind of money he had been originally asking for and they said that Alex was going to be their next pick. The Cubs next pick was only 3 teams away and then all of a sudden as we were watching the screen, now both huddled in front of his laptop, and we heard and saw “The Boston Red Sox select Alex Hassan as their 2009, 20th Round Draft Pick.”

We both just looked at each other in total shock and then all of a sudden we both started screaming, laughing, crying, hugging and jumping up and down!  It was a miracle and nothing that we could’ve planned or orchestrated ourselves. But this was only the beginning and far from being a done deal.

Let the negotiations begin!

Alex had been drafted as a right handed pitcher and had played as both a pitcher and position player all through high school and college. He had been invited back for his second summer to play for the Cape Cod Baseball League playing for the Orleans Firebirds as the right fielder and as the closer on the mound. He had a fabulous summer both at the plate and on the mound and now the Red Sox were beginning to see him and like him more as a position player.

There is so much more to the story, but on August 1st, Alex accepted the Red Sox’ offer and signed and became an official card-carrying member of The Boston Red Sox! He was immediately assigned to the rookie league, The Lowell Spinners and has been playing right field and is doing phenomenally well. He’s been on a huge hitting streak and recently was named “Player of the Game” and was also highlighted in a fabulous interview on the Spinner’s blog.

Alex Hassan - Player of the Game!
Alex Hassan - Player of the Game!

It has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions this summer and I couldn’t be more proud of my son. Through it all, there have been some important lessons that I’d like to share with you.

  • Never underestimate the power of a dream but be willing to let go of how you think it’s supposed to happen and allow God to handle all the details.
  • Your choices either lead you towards your goals or away from them. My son doesn’t drink, smoke or do drugs. He is an athelete and has had to make some really tough decisions and has learned how to say “no thanks” with so much grace and dignity. As a result, he has gained respect from his friends and most importantly, has developed self-respect.
  • Never let the odds get in the way of your dreams and goals. Becoming a professional baseball player is a one in a million shot, but my son is one in a million and I never let him forget that.
  • Don’t quit five minutes before the miracle happens. There have been so many times that my son wanted to give up and give into the negative thoughts swirling around in his head. But all of our power lies in the present moment and in our ability to shift our thoughts away from fear and doubt and return to the awesome power of love. All things are possible when we look through the lenses of love and possibility thinking. Alex just kept telling himself “I love this game and I was born to play baseball.”
  • Let go and let God. There’s a funny expression that says “Wanna make God laugh? Tell him your plans!” My husband and I had our house on the market for over six months without so much as a nibble. My plan was to up and move to California, but God reminded me that for now, I am a member of Red Sox Nation! Oooohhh Oooohhh Boston you’re my home!

Alex Hassan - Red Sox Nation
Red Sox Nation!

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Posted in Announcements | Law of Attraction | Self-Confidence | Trust |
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Response Required – Don’t Miss an Issue!

 September 28, 2007 by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my new website. I feel like I’ve just given birth! It’s truly been a labor of love and I can’t wait to share it with you and the world.

Along with the new site, we are moving into a new state-of-the-art email program and are migrating our mailing list over to the new system. To stay with me and to make sure you receive all of the updates about the great new programs and materials we are creating, along with our monthly e-zine Shine!, you’ll need to go to my website and sign back up.

It is simple and will only take a minute. But I promise you, it will be worth it! Simply click the HOME button above, which will take you to my new site. For starters, the minute you enter your name and email address you’ll receive a FREE copy of my new e-book, Self-Esteem is Priceless: 52 Ways to Raise Your Self-Esteem. It is filled with practical tips and easy to implement ideas that will help you become more confident and secure – from the inside out.

But that’s not all… We have created a beautifully animated story book called Square Peg Round Hole, about a girl named Peg who is desperately trying to fit in. I know you will LOVE this story and will want to share it with every girl in your life. We want Peg to go viral and help every girl in the world learn how to love and accept herself – just the way she is.

When you forward this story on, you’ll receive another FREE gift downloaded directly to your email: a 20 minute mp3 of Affirmations set to music. These powerful statements will help you anchor new positive beliefs into your subconscious mind and will help you to shift your thoughts from fear, worry and anxiety towards power, well-being and inner peace.

Here’s all you have to do, just click the Home button above and you’ll be whisked off to my website. Fill in your name and email in the sign-up box and then enjoy the site! There are lots of new features, including an ASK Kathleen page where you can ask me your most burning question about self-esteem, parenting teens or dealing with stress and burnout. Your questions will be answered during out upcoming monthly tele-seminar series.

Two spots have just opened up in my Inner Circle Coaching Group. One of my favorite clients that I’ve worked with since she was in tenth grade, just left for college. When I went to her graduation party, her dad was standing near the door talking with another man and when he saw me walk in, he stopped mid-sentence and then said to the other gentleman, “This woman coming in the door is the reason we are here celebrating tonight!” And his daughter, my client, had this to say about our work together, “Thank you for everything! You are the strongest soul I know. Without you as my coach and friend, I don’t know where I would be. You do amazing work and I love you so much!” I am so incredibly blessed and privileged to work with such amazing young women. If you’d like some assistance in getting clearer about your own desires, or perhaps your daughter needs some help in maneuvering her way through the teen years, please contact me. I was born to help others transform their dreams into reality. Let me help you create a life you absolutely love.

Kathleen Hassan
Kathleen Hassan Communications

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