# Mindset

Posts

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.

The Creek Was Low, but the Forest Was Full

Sep 29, 2025

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

Sep 23, 2025

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

Sep 22, 2025

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

Sep 15, 2025

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.