Starting Classical Guitar at 48 — Why I’m Learning Something New (and Hard)
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.
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Expanding the Kool Collectibles Universe — Pokémon Joins the Lineup
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
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
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
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
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.
The Creek Was Low, but the Forest Was Full
On a September walk, I found a forest full of surprises — seedlings sprouting late, fungi bleeding liquid, ants feasting on mushrooms. Each moment carried a question, and each question carried a lesson.
Abundance Signals: Walnuts, Mosquitoes, and the Forest’s Long Game
On my September 23 walk, the forest announced its changes loud and clear — walnuts thudding down in a mast year, mosquitoes in last-call mode, pawpaw perfume gone, and late-blooming smartweed still holding on. These abundance signals remind me that the woods don’t whisper their shifts; they proclaim them.
Be Thankful for the Hard Times
Some months feel like steps backward. Sales dip, streaks stall, and losses pile up. Gratitude and process are what keep me steady — even in the hard times.
Doing Too Much
Doing too much often feels like the smart move, but it usually just multiplies mistakes. Here’s why patience, consistency, and even a little boredom might be the secret to long-term success.
When Knowledge Becomes a Song: Lessons from Drums, Science, and Spirit
What does it mean to truly understand something? From Feynman’s sixth grader test to AC/DC’s simplicity, from indigenous wisdom to the lessons of drumming, this reflection explores how mastery moves beyond names into songs that touch mind, body, emotion, and spirit.
Rediscovering the Power of the To-Do List
Sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference. For me, writing down a simple to-do list snapped me out of a rut and boosted my productivity overnight.
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