# Mindset

Posts

Creating a Sanctuary at Home: How Music Helped Me Transform a Forgotten Room

Dec 11, 2025

A forgotten basement became the most meaningful room in my home — a quiet sanctuary built for music, learning, and slowing down. Inspired by my dad’s garage and Philippe Dufour’s morning ritual, this space reminded me that sanctuary isn’t a destination. It’s intention, light, warmth, and one small corner you claim for yourself.

Momentum in the Woods: A Parenting Lesson About Balance and Moving Forward

Nov 26, 2025

A walk in the woods with my daughter turned into a lesson about momentum, balance, and why moving forward is almost always easier than standing still.

The Most Important Decision You’ll Ever Make (and It’s Not What You Think)

Nov 25, 2025

The best advice I’ve ever given my kids isn’t about work or money. It’s about love—and the choice that shapes the rest of your life.

Tightly Held Opinions, Loosely Held Wisdom

Nov 24, 2025

What if the wisest thing you could say today was “I don’t know”? This reflection explores the power of open-mindedness, the discipline of thinking, and why tightly held opinions often get in the way of true wisdom.

New Mantra: It’ll Be All Right

Nov 7, 2025

While listening to music and thinking through a problem, a quiet phrase came to me: “It’ll be all right. You’re gonna be all right.” A new mantra, born from stillness.

How to Maintain, Organize and Clean Your Vinyl Record Collection

Oct 30, 2025

A simple, proven method for cleaning and caring for vinyl records. From garage setups and vacuum cleaners to anti-static tricks and organizing by mood, here’s how to keep your collection quiet, clean, and built for a lifetime of enjoyment.

Starting Classical Guitar at 48 — Why I’m Learning Something New (and Hard)

Oct 24, 2025

At 48 years old, I decided to learn classical guitar — not because I needed another hobby, but because I missed the feeling of being a beginner again.

Expanding the Kool Collectibles Universe — Pokémon Joins the Lineup

Oct 22, 2025

Kool Collectibles is expanding into Pokémon cards. A beginner’s journey from vintage slabs to the colorful world of Charizard, Pikachu, and nostalgia-filled artwork.

A Key Life Skill: Reflection as a Practice

Oct 15, 2025

Taking time to pause, think, and learn has shaped how I parent, coach, and lead. Reflection isn’t about judgment—it’s about curiosity, space, and the willingness to ask what could be better next time.

Playing to Win vs. Playing Not to Lose — Lessons from 12U Baseball

Oct 14, 2025

After every tournament, I take a day to reflect on what I saw — the growth, the gaps, and the mindset beneath it all. This week, three boys said something that revealed a lot about how kids think about competition, confidence, and the difference between playing to win and playing not to lose.

You vs You | The Real Battle Is in Your Mind

Oct 14, 2025

The toughest opponent you’ll ever face doesn’t wear a uniform. It lives in your head.

The Pull of the Dark: A Chautauqua on Keeping the Fire Alive

Oct 5, 2025

There’s a quiet pull in life that draws us inward—a kind of darkness that waits for everyone. This is about learning to tend your own fire, to keep showing up, and to find warmth even in the coldest places.