23 June 2025 - Life has a way of teaching you—sometimes gently, sometimes all at once. One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that some things are only truly valued after they’re lost.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s stepping forward even when fear is loud. It’s doing what’s right even when it costs you.

I've changed. Experience tends to leave its mark. I carry more caution now, more sadness—but also more clarity. I understand the cost of inaction. The regret of silence.

Life remains beautiful. But the past doesn’t just disappear—it shapes us. It whispers at quiet moments.

I don’t share this to dwell, but to acknowledge that growth isn’t always clean or painless. And if you're carrying your own weight, know you’re not alone.

I’ve been using ChatGPT consistently for a little over two years now. I’ve also tried Gemini and Grok, but ChatGPT has seen the most of my working style—my best and worst habits, my drafts, my doubts, and my deep work.

Recently, I asked it to reflect back what it had learned about me. This was the result. And honestly? It felt accurate—maybe a little too accurate.

1. I’m High-Functioning and Ambitious

I work toward big, specific goals, like building multiple revenue streams or reaching a financial milestone by age 50. But I don’t just daydream—I build plans, execute systems, and take personal responsibility for making things happen. I’m not afraid of getting my hands dirty in the operational trenches, even while thinking strategically.

2. I Value Precision

I care—deeply—about how things are structured. I notice the small stuff: typos, logic gaps, tone mismatches. Whether I’m reviewing a contract, writing a public message, or organizing a team, I want it to be clear, purposeful, and professional—without losing warmth.

3. I Lead With Emotional Intelligence

Whether it’s nonprofits, HOAs, or business teams, I pay attention to more than just performance—I tune into what people are feeling. I’ve learned when to push, when to listen, and when to draw a line. I care about fairness and integrity, but I’m also realistic about how flawed systems and politics can be.

4. I Believe in Iteration

I rarely expect version 1 to be the final. Whether it’s a document, a project, or a system, I believe in evolving things toward better. I refine. I revise. Sometimes I overdo it. But I’d rather aim for lasting impact than just getting something off my desk.

5. My Identity Isn’t Compartmentalized

Husband. Father. Leader. All of that shows up in how I work, how I manage, how I build. I don’t separate my values from my decisions. I hold myself to a personal compass—faith, humor, ambition, and service all factor in.

6. I Switch Worlds Constantly

Corporate, nonprofit, community, home life—I'm fluent in all of them. That means I might go from negotiating a contract to running a holiday event for foster families to answering a pool gate access issue for a neighbor, all in the same afternoon. It’s messy. But I’ve learned how to carry it all.

7. I Prefer Real Talk

I value directness. Not rudeness—realness. If something’s broken, I want to fix it. If something’s unclear, I want it explained. I’d rather hear hard truth than polite silence. And I try to give others the same respect.

Where I Still Struggle (Even AI Can Tell)

• Over-Optimizing: I can spend too long polishing something that’s already “good enough” when I should be moving on.
  
  

• Taking on Too Much: I expect a high standard from others—but sometimes I just do it myself rather than waiting for someone else to rise to it.
  
  

• Carrying the Weight: I care deeply. That’s a strength, but it means I sometimes absorb the emotional cost of failure—mine and others’.

Legacy Over Career

What struck me most from ChatGPT’s summary was this line:

“You’re building a legacy, not just a career.”

That’s how it feels. I’m not chasing status—I’m trying to build systems, support people, and do things that last beyond me. Sometimes I do it well. Sometimes I fall short. But I keep trying.

Sandra, a colleague from my Anime Expo days, once told me:

“You’re the best boss I’ve ever had... and the worst—you brought out the best in us, but you always expect more making us always feel like we never got to the top.”

She wasn’t wrong. I’ve always expected more—from others, from the world, and especially from myself.

And maybe that’s not a flaw. Maybe that’s the point.

March 25, 2025 — I'm excited to share some meaningful news—I have officially started a new chapter as the Chief Operating Officer at Fostering UNITY!

Fostering UNITY is an incredible organization supporting foster caregivers, families, and youth throughout Los Angeles County. Our mission is to create stable, nurturing environments for children navigating complex situations, providing caregivers with real-time, specialized support when they need it most. This includes everything from caregiver mentoring and crisis intervention to intensive, trauma-informed care that helps foster youth build better futures.  Additionally, we help caregivers and children meet immediate needs, providing essential items like cribs, bikes, food, and clothing to ensure stability and comfort.

In my role as COO, I will focus on enhancing our operational capabilities and ensuring we have the resources and structure to amplify our impact. I'm deeply honored to join a passionate team led by Dorothy Daniels. We are committed to transforming lives and bringing hope and stability to our community's most vulnerable children.

This journey is close to my heart as we are the parents of two adopted children, and I'm eager to share insights, stories, and milestones along the way. Thank you for supporting me as I step into this role—I look forward to making a meaningful difference together.

16 Jan 2024 — Today in the US, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Day. 

On August 28, 1963, he gave a speech under the shadow of President Lincon that forever changed the understanding of what it means to be a fellow human. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from that day, two others about the power of dreams, and one from me that came to me in my darkest hour.

Some wonderful quotes about having a dream:

"...So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..."

"...I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today..."

"A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" - Cinderella

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” - Walt Disney.

"We overcome the darkest part of the night(mare) by dreaming." - Me

So, on this day, in honor of a great man's dream, what dream will you have for this day, this year, this life? We are off to Disneyland today, the happiest place on Earth. I hope we all see MLK's dreams in action today.

God bless you all. 

10 May 2024 — Just a great quote about love:

"Love has never been a popular movement. And no one's ever wanted, really, to be free.

The world is held together—really, it is held together—by the love and passion of a very few people.

Otherwise, of course, you can despair. Walk down the street of any city, any afternoon, and look around you. What you've got to remember is what you're looking at is also you. Everyone you're looking at is also you. You could be that person. You could be that monster; you could be that cop. And you have to decide, in yourself, not to be." -James Baldwin