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Welcome to The Brighter Side of Everything.
This newsletter serves a simple purpose → To help you build optimism, resilience and a solution-focused perspective.
Each week, I’ll share actionable insights that not only brighten your day but position you to be a leader within your own life and seize life’s opportunities.
Read time: 15-20 minutes.
The Brighter Side of Losing - A lifelong baseball story.
Bright Reads - Quick links to fun or insightful articles.
Donald Glover - Changing lanes & changing minds.
Now Spinning - Glass Beams - Mahal EP.
A Bright Idea to Consider - Smart vs. wise.
A Previous Post - Meet the ordinary with your eyes open wide.
Positively Hilarious - Smile like you mean it.
Daily Gratitude Journal - Transform your daily routine through reflection.
Hello, Brighter Side readers! ☀️
Welcome to all new subscribers and thank you to those of you continue to read along, I really appreciate it.
The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster.
Moving from hosting my wife’s surprise birthday weekend to experiencing the highs and lows of the MLB playoffs in Toronto.
Writing this weeks feature honestly felt more like a personal journal entry.
I did question whether I should publish it but then realised the lesson it provides is the one that has guided my life more postively than any other.
So if you’re not a sports fan, I apologise, I’ll move back to regular scheduled programming next week.
We also look at the compelling career of Donald Glover, discuss the wisdom behind knowing when and when not to speak and share a great music recommendation.
Enjoy the week ahead!
See you on the Brighter Side,
Chris
P.S. Please feel free to send me feedback on how I can improve. I respond to every email.
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You never expect a lifelong passion to begin on the edges of the unexpected.
For me, it began in Grade 7, growing up in Australia.
A place known for its cricket grounds rather than baseball diamonds.
At that age, I was the type of kid who’d play any game that involved a ball.
AFL, cricket, volleyball, it didn’t matter.
I loved the competition, the rhythm of sport and the unmistakable feeling of belonging to a team.
What I didn’t realise at the time was that my entire future was about to be shaped by a game barely on the radar in my small corner of the world.
Our new PE teacher, Mr. Cassidy, was the one who changed everything.
He was American, which made him an instant curiosity in Geelong, Victoria.
Add in his open manner, easy laugh and flowing grey mullet and he stood out even more.
He had a real gift for understanding kids.
The ability to read what each of us needed.
Whether it was confidence, patience or a gentle push to step forward and try something.
Even now, more than three decades later, I can still remember how his words made every kid grow taller.
He didn’t just teach us to play.
He taught us how to show up for each other, and for ourselves, day in and day out.
When he announced he was introducing a baseball program at our school, I didn’t think twice.
Honestly, if this guy had started a knitting club, I would’ve shown up on day one.
There was something magnetic about his energy.
The way he made hard work feel joyful.
How he made every one of us feel seen.
His words were like fuel and his presence was like a safety net, letting us take risks without fear.
I knew quickly this was someone I wanted to learn from.
No matter what the game was.
Baseball became our way to connect with him, and, as it turned out, each other.
“One of the most important actions a leader can do is to lead by example. If you want everyone else to be passionate, committed, dedicated, and motivated, you go first!”
Building the Dream
Tryouts were surprisingly competitive.
Especially given it was a sport none of us really knew.
Somehow though, I made the team.
We practiced twice a week after school, fumbling our way through the basics at first.
How to field ground balls, turn double plays and not throw the ball into the next postcode.
Honestly, at first, we were terrible.
But we were learning.
Learning the game itself, but more importantly, learning how to work together as a team.
Our initial struggles taught us the value of communication, trust and collaboration.
Over time, we began to understand each other's strengths and weaknesses, and we learned how to support one another both on and off the field.
Cassidy had a way of turning even our worst performances into lessons worth remembering.
He saw progress where others saw chaos.
Slowly but surely, we transformed.
I still remember the day I bought my first glove, carefully writing my name across the leather in block letters.
That glove became a symbol of pride, belonging and commitment.
Our first local tournament arrived quickly, we were having so much fun that time had seemed to simply disappear.
To our surprise (but not his), we played like a real team.
We communicated.
We trusted each other.
We moved with purpose.
Against all odds, we won every game and advanced to the regional finals in Ballarat.
You mean we get to play more?
Awesome, sign me up.
After several more weeks of practice, it was time for our first road trip.
Fun times ensued.
Long bus rides, songs, stories and endless jokes.
It felt like adventure in its purest form.
We learned more about Mr. Cassidy during those hours on the road than we ever did in class.
His small-town upbringing, his deep love for baseball and his loyalty to his favourite Major League team, Cleveland.
Naturally, at that very moment, I decided they’d be my team too.
Once again, we delivered.
We won the tournament, and just like that, were invited to the State Championships at Altona Stadium.
For a bunch of wide-eyed thirteen-year-olds, the idea of competing against the best schools in the state was electric.
As the competition approached, we had become the purest definition of a team.
Our confidence was growing by the day and we trained like our lives depended on it.
In those final practices, every drill, every pep talk, and every shared laugh seemed to fuse us closer together.
Anything felt within reach.
"Talent is never enough. With few exceptions the best players are the hardest workers."
Lessons that Last
We didn’t win the championship.
We finished third.
But in all honesty, it felt like victory.
That day was special.
Everything about our team that was night and day from our first practice only months before.
Our uniforms, our approach, our communication and our commitment to each other all shining on a larger stage.
What mattered most was the transformation I witnessed, both in myself and in my teammates.
Shy kids stepped into leadership roles.
Competitive players learned the power of humility.
Each of us discovered that hard work (backed by belief) could stretch possibility way further than talent alone.
Looking back, that season was my first real glimpse at effective leadership in action.
Mr. Cassidy guided us gracefully through every setback and triumph, always steady, never rattled.
His message was simple.
When you learn to love the process, the outcome will take care of itself.
That lesson has stayed with me long after the final out of our last game.
It has become a lens through which I view life.
Not as a series of wins and losses, but as a continuum of effort, growth and connection.
Even now, I see traces of that young player in everything I do.
There’s a quiet kind of wisdom in understanding that when you give your all, there’s no room left for regret.
That mindset has carried me through lifes ups and downs.
From career and personal challenges, to life transitions and everything in between.
The field may change, but this lesson has shaped my story.
Finding Reconnection
The years passed, as they tend to do.
After moving schools shortly after this time, baseball was no longer a viable option.
I chose to focus on footy and cricket, but with the knowledge and example of real leadership.
Where team comes first and ego is left at the door.
This became the blueprint for how I approached my role in every team I’ve been part of, both on and off the field.
By prioritising collaboration and mutual respect, I learned to value the strengths of each team member and work towards a common goal.
I built a life and career in travel, moving countries multiple times, and yet baseball never loosened its grip on my heart.
When we settled in Vancouver in 2007 (15 years later), I made the drive down to Seattle every year to watch Cleveland play.
Interestingly, those games often fell on my birthday.
It was like the universe was nudging me to keep the passion alive.
Every second year, I’d make the trip to Cleveland.
Some of my most vivid live sporting experiences were made there.
Like the electric night I witnessed a walk-off inside-the-park home run against Toronto (of all teams).
Or the playoff game-winning grand slam off the best pitcher in baseball that sent the city into a frenzy.
Perhaps my greatest memory, being in the stands for Game One of the 2016 World Series against the Cubs.
A game Cleveland won, even though the ultimate prize slipped away in extra innings during Game 7 after leading the series 3-1.
It was a gut wrenching result once again.
Despite the result, I felt nothing but pride.
No one could question their commitment as a team.
Experiences like these produce feelings that etch themselves into your identity.
Cleveland was my team.
They reminded me of our scrappy school squad.
Limited budget, limited resources, but unlimited heart.
Fighting for every run, every inning and every postseason berth while never giving up under any circumstance.
I admired their resilience, their unity, their ability to show character even when the odds were stacked high.
As someone who’s felt the agony and the ecstasy of October in Cleveland, I know in my bones they’ll win it all one day.
I’ve never doubted that.
A New Chapter in Toronto
In 2016, my family and I relocated to Toronto for work.
The bonus?
Baseball became even more accessible.
The Toronto Blue Jays were the local team and attending games at the Rogers Centre became a regular outing, especially if Cleveland were in town.
My son and I would go to a few games each season, a tradition that created its own small set of treasured memories.
There’s something irreplaceable about sitting in the stands with the summer heat warming your skin as the crowd buzzes with excitement.
As a proud Canadian and lifelong baseball fan, the Jays quickly became my second team.
What always seemed to be missing for me, was the grit and determination.
The selfless team oriented baseball that I loved experiencing.
The Blue Jays have always had talent, but I longed to see them play with the kind of passion and teamwork that sparked my love of the game.
In 2025, something shifted.
The players were hustling on every play.
And I mean EVERY play.
They were supporting each other both on and off the field and showing a resilience that became inspiring to watch.
No matter who they were playing, or what position they found themselves in, they never backed down.
They approached each game with a determination and unity that was palpable.
This newfound spirit not only elevated their performance but it started delivering results.
They captivated fans across Canada, who always backed them with unwavering support.
It was as if they embraced a new identity, one that resonates with the spirit of the game.
They were growing on me.
Oddly, several players I was sad to lose from Cleveland had joined the Blue Jays roster.
They brought with them that same unpolished dedication I’d come to love.
Playing with heart and humility, for each other rather than for the spotlight.
Then, just to test my loyalty even further, Cleveland’s Cy Young Award-winning pitcher, Shane Bieber, joined Toronto.
Watching him take the mound in a Jays uniform felt like the universe playing matchmaker between my two baseball worlds.
The Magic of Game Seven
As fate would have it, Cleveland exited early from the playoffs.
Around that time, my wife’s recent surprise 50th birthday saw my brother-in-law from Singapore, a die-hard Jays fan in town for the playoffs.
We took advantage of the situation and scored tickets to Game 6 of the ALCS.
It was everything baseball could be.
Drama, tension, unity and unrestrained joy.
Watching the Jays keep their season alive, side by side, was a moment that will live forever in my memory.
The next day, they won once again punching their ticket to the World Series for the first time in 32 years.
We managed to grab tickets to Game One, squeezing it in right before his flight home.
Knowing he had to leave that night added additional tension but the Jays erupted for nine runs in one inning, calming us down and allowing us to enjoy the moment.
The energy inside Rogers Centre was next level.
That night, two middle-aged men left the stadium with the grins of teenagers.
Still buzzing long after the final out.
Then, a few days later, came the big one.
Game 7.
My first-ever World Series finale.
The Jays taking on one of the most stacked lineups ever to grace the game.
Fans butts never touching their seats, knowing that each swing of the bat could determine the fate of their team.
The game unfolded like a classic novel.
Filled with highlights, energy, tension, heartbreak and redemption.
Yes, I know.
The Dodgers won.
But the Jays showed nothing but grit and grace.
They made mistakes, sure, but they fought for every out, every inning, as if their hearts were stitched into their jerseys.
Watching them play reminded me why I fell in love with baseball in the first place.
Coming Full Circle
That night, two moments stuck with me.
The first came during the seventh-inning stretch, when the crowd rose to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
For the first time (out of dozens of opportunities), I sang “Blue Jays” proudly instead of quietly substituting “Guardians.”
The second came after the final out was recorded.
As the Dodgers celebrated their championship, I didn’t feel disappointment.
What I felt was admiration.
Admiration for Toronto’s courage, their dignity and willingness to lay everything on the line.
Also, admiration for the Dodgers.
How damn good must this team be to overcome ‘our’ Jays?
In that realisation, I recognised how far my baseball story had come.
From a young boy learning baseball fundamentals on dusty Australian grounds to a lifelong fan witnessing some of the greatest ever moments on the game’s stage.
The 2025 Blue Jays reminded me why the game still matters.
It’s a mirror reflecting the best of who we can be as humans.
Persistent, humble, united and resilient.
At its core, baseball is about belonging.
It isn’t measured in trophies or wins but in the quiet ways it connects us.
From the coaches who believe in us, to teammates who lift us and to friends and family members who cheer beside us in the stands.
I’ll always be a Cleveland fan first, but this Toronto team claimed a special place in my heart.
Because in baseball, just like in life, the joy is found in the journey.
And if you learn to live your life this way?
You never really lose.
“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.”
If you missed game 7 of the World Series, grab some popcorn 🍿 and check out this recap:
Self-Forgiveness: Learn why it’s so difficult.
Why it's time to change your relationship with alcohol.
World War I message in a bottle found on Australian beach.
3 simple ways to make better, more confident decisions.
6 habits you don’t realise are ruining your life.
Donald Glover - Born 25th September 1983 - California, USA
Some people arrive on the world’s stage like a clap of thunder.
Nothing about them fits the standard template.
Donald Glover moves through the world with a creative velocity that’s hard to pin down.
He’s best known as Childish Gambino, the mind behind "Atlanta," and the endlessly clever Troy Barnes on “Community.”
Glover’s career refuses to fit in any single box.
Every step he takes, whether it’s making music, comedy, TV, or taking on serious cultural questions, reflects a willingness to challenge expectations.
And redraw the boundaries of possibility.
Origins, Adversity and Reinvention
Raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia, Glover’s upbringing blended tight family values with creative chaos.
His father, Donald Sr., set the tone.
Work hard, trust yourself and dig for meaning in the act of trying.
Growing up as a Black kid in a predominantly white suburb meant Glover also faced isolation and subtle racism, which further fueled his drive for compassion and curiosity.
Humour and storytelling were more than hobbies to him.
They were lifelines.
Family and early improv troupes helped him shape a philosophy about belonging, possibility and confronting discomfort directly.
Later, at NYU, Glover threw himself into creative experiments and “Derrick Comedy,” learning to embrace risk and build connections from scratch.
That willingness to leap without a net is legendary.
From writing for “30 Rock” at twenty-three to leaving “Community” at its peak to chase fresh ground.
Each move, he learned along the way, was a beginning.
Not an end.
Art as a Mirror (and a Megaphone)
Donald’s work isn’t content with solely making you laugh or hum a catchy tune.
It’s both a mirror and a megaphone.
Tackling race, identity and belonging head-on.
"Atlanta" cracks open daily life with a dreamlike surrealism, never floating away from reality.
It balances sharp cultural critique with pure empathy, inviting you to step into new shoes.
Exactly what art should do.
As Childish Gambino, Glover’s music is equally fearless.
"This Is America" launched powerful conversations (and exposed uncomfortable truths) about modern America.
Glover creates spaces for dialogue, disruption and sometimes discomfort.
Knowing that’s where postive change begins.
“What’s important is to keep moving forward, not to stay where you’re comfortable.”
The Power of Privacy and Process
Glover stands out for his thoughtful commitment to privacy.
He rarely shares details about his personal life and family, choosing to protect those precious spaces from the spotlight.
For him, keeping some things “just for you” is less about being mysterious and more about allowing for real growth and deeper creativity.
His approach reminds us all that impact isn’t measured by visibility alone.
A lesson a growing number of us need to learn.
Sometimes the most important work happens when you’re willing to remain grounded, present and stay open to beginning again.
That is confidence.
Practical Lessons from Glover’s Story
Embrace reinvention: Growth often means uncomfortable leaps into the unknown, in work and in life. If you always stay the same you risk missing out on new opportunities and opening doors to unexpected possibilities.
Stay open, stay honest: Vulnerability is the gateway to connection and change. The opposite will lead to isolation and stagnation.
Make room for discomfort: When you let your discomfort fuel your curiosity rather than avoidance, it will spark real solutions. Ignorance is so far away from bliss, seek knowledge and understanding instead.
Push boundaries: Impact comes from refusing to stay inside the lines others draw. Especially lines that stand in the way of innovation and change, allowing us to create a more inclusive and dynamic world.
Find joy in work and the everyday: Meaning is found in gratitude, humour and celebrating the mundane. When you teach yourself to enjoy the process over the result, you will never be disappointed by the outcome.
My Takeaway
Donald Glover’s story makes me sit up and lean in.
It’s an invitation.
How often do we stay in routines or roles that no longer fit, just for comfort’s sake?
When you sit with his journey for a moment and really think, it’s easy to see how much possibility grows when we leave routines that no longer serve us.
When we give ourselves permission to move.
It could be creatively, personally or professionally.
Glover shows how the courage to pivot and experiment isn’t reserved for big moments though, it matters in the smallest daily choices.
His influence stretches far beyond our screens and speakers.
It moves through mentorship, advocacy for mental health and art that confronts the real stuff of life.
He creates change that lasts and momentum with purpose.
Making space for new voices, new approaches and new definitions of success.
So, maybe this is the week to shake up your own script.
Trust a bit more in possibility and wonder.
Let optimism be the spark that leads you through uncertainty and onward.
Start fresh.
Go bold.
You’re not waiting for permission.
Only for the moment you yourself say yes.
“If you're scared to do something, that's awkward, but if you don't do it, you never know if you could have succeeded.”
Want to hear from Glover himself? Check out this string of interviews on YouTube:
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Why It’s Worth Your Time
Glass Beams are one of those bands that quietly sneaks into your day and keeps you coming back for more.
Their Mahal EP has worked its way further and further up my playlist after a friend recommended their sound last year.
What hooks me every time is the sense of calm and space their music brings.
For anyone who’s had a long week, needs to focus, or just wants to let a creative streak run a little longer, there’s something magnetic here.
It’s atmospheric and full of understated energy.
When your world feels busy, Glass Beams delivers a much-needed pause.
What Makes It Stand Out
Listening to Mahal is like stepping into a warm, sunlit room where ideas move easily and time seems to slow.
Their tracks blend psych, jazz, funk and Indian influences, but in a way that always feels inviting.
The decision to perform in simple golden masks is unique.
It puts the spotlight back on the music, not the personalities, and their humility rings loud and clear.
I’ve mentioned my adoration for Khruangbin in the newsletter before, and while the hypnotic threads are similar, Glass Beams brings their own unique energy.
If you haven’t already, check out "Black Sand" and "Snake Oil."
I could happily listen to both tracks on repeat whenever I need to get in the zone, they’ve become my go-to background for a focused or creative headspace.
I recently absorbed their live set at Primavera Sound in Barcelona (via YouTube) recently.
I was absorbed from start to finish, as it reminded me how transportive live music can be when the performers are totally locked into their craft.
Now more than ever, I look forward to a chance to experience them live myself.
Practical Lessons or Takeaways
Music doesn’t have to shout to move you: They rely heavily on restraint. Rich grooves and careful layering quietly shape your mood or sharpen your focus as needed. It’s proof that sometimes less is often more.
Focus and creativity go hand in hand with the right soundscape: Mahal is background music of the best kind. It clears mental clutter without ever becoming dull, helping you tune in to your best work or ideas.
Presentation reflects intention: Performing in masks isn’t a gimmick. It’s a cue that the art comes first, shifting the audience’s attention away from image and directly into the sound. Super clever and unique.
They invite openness not just escape: Each listen reveals new moments and textures. These are songs that reward concentration, encouraging you to pick up new details rather than just drift off.
My Takeaway
Since the first time I put Glass Beams on, their EP has become a companion for the in-between moments.
I might be working, thinking, or just settling my mind.
Watching their set at Primavera Sound made it clear.
This band knows how to create an atmosphere, whether you’re in a packed crowd or listening solo.
My only complaint?
They haven’t made more music.
Yet.
Given their talent and after seeing how much care goes into everything they release, I have no doubt a full album is in their future.
When it happens, I’ll be the first to queue it up on the record player.
Give them a spin, it might just be the background you need to unlock your own creative juices
Or better yet, give your mind a break from the rush.
“Glass Beams' fusion of Western, Indian, and Arab musical influences has struck a chord with audiences worldwide. Their self-produced works exude a mesmerizing blend of live instrumentation and DIY electronica, creating a captivating sonic and visual experience... selling out venues and upgrading shows due to high demand, Glass Beams' rise is nothing short of meteoric.”
Wanna catch that live performance? You can check it out here:
Got a recommendation?
Please share; I'm always keen for great suggestions.
The Lesson
Ever catch yourself gearing up to blurt out advice or an opinion?
Only to wonder later if it was actually needed.
There’s a quiet, confident wisdom in picking and choosing our moments rather than trying to fill every silence or solve every problem with words.
Sometimes, the best communication is knowing when not to speak.
Go Deeper
Why does this matter so much?
These days it seems like everyone has something to say, and conversations can become noisy fast.
But not all situations call for commentary.
Pausing before you speak (or especially type!) gives you a chance to really feel out what others need, and sometimes, what nobody needs is more words.
They need space.
Letting others be heard, sitting with your own thoughts before speaking, and giving emotions a little room to breathe can turn what might be a tense moment into a chance for connection.
The truth is, listening closely often says MUCH more than a clever reply.
Practical Lessons
Respect is quiet: Holding your tongue isn’t weakness, far from it. It’s a sign of respect for others and restraint in the face of provocation.
Listening matters: People remember when you listen, moreso than when you speak.
Pause for care: Pausing before jumping in keeps you from making snap judgments, and allows you to respond with care, not just reaction.
Silence comforts: Silence can often bring the clarity or comfort that words can’t.
Slow down and reflect: If you’re in doubt about speaking up, take it as a sign to slow down and think twice.
My Takeaway
I’ve found that the value of my words increases when I’m thoughtful about when (or if) I use them.
I’m not perfect, I’ve definitely said things and regretted it later.
But the more I let things be, the more I see how wisdom is about choosing what not to say.
If this idea feels new, or maybe even challenging?
Try seeing what happens when you give your words a little space this week.
The conversations that matter most tend to bloom when we’re slow to speak and quick to listen.
Have you ever held back and seen a situation turn out better for it?
I’d love to know what you learned.
“Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.”
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