Blind Can You Can

Tag: healing

  • Wandering Minds and Thai Curry: Finding the Present Moment on Vacation

    Wandering Minds and Thai Curry: Finding the Present Moment on Vacation

    Even on vacation, it’s easy to get sucked into the future.
    You lie in bed, not even fully awake yet, and your mind is already strategizing. What am I going to eat for lunch? Dinner? Where should I go? What kind of food do I want? How much can I spend?

    All these questions flood your brain before your feet even touch the floor—or sometimes, they flood in after a long day of sightseeing, just as you’re trying to fall asleep.

    Why?
    Because our minds often struggle to sit still in the present. We crave control. We try to plan, predict, and perfect the future—even when we’re supposed to be relaxing.

    Maybe you’re like me, wide awake in the early hours while everyone else is sleeping in. You’re sitting on the couch in your hotel room as your friends and family snore away, soaking in that vacation sleep schedule. But instead of joining them, your mind is racing—dreaming up more things to do, see, eat, and experience. After all, you’re in a whole new country, and every second feels precious.

    You think: I should walk more, explore more, eat more, feel more.
    But in doing so, we often miss what’s happening right in front of us. We’re so focused on what’s next that we forget the joy of what is.

    Even sitting in a quiet hotel room waiting for your crew to wake up is part of the experience. That silence? That’s travel too. That’s life. And it’s worth noticing.

    If we can’t train our minds to return to the present—if we constantly wander through the what-ifs and to-do lists—we miss the taste of that exciting new dish, the beauty of live street music, or the rich culture pulsing through night markets, temples, and alleyway food stands.

    Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and place to plan. I love a solid itinerary as much as anyone. But planning shouldn’t swallow every waking moment.
    We need time to live, to feel, and to enjoy.

    That’s why I’ve started meditating and praying each morning while the rest of my group sleeps. It’s not just for clarity—it’s to anchor my mind in the now. I want to be ready to actually experience the sights, sounds, smells, and (yes) tastes of Thailand throughout the day.

    Speaking of which—can someone pass me a plate of Thai curry (please, a little less spicy)?
    Or some pad Thai, pad see ew, tom yum goong, mango sticky rice, or maybe even some durian sticky rice. Or just durian. Or papaya salad. Washed down with a sweet, icy Thai tea.

    This list might grow faster than my appetite.

  • How Blindness Helped Me Taste Fried Insects in Thailand (And Love It)

    How Blindness Helped Me Taste Fried Insects in Thailand (And Love It)

    Greetings from Bangkok, Thailand!

    I’m taking my own advice this week—getting out there and living a little. I may not be able to see all the famous sights, but I can absolutely soak in the flavors, sounds, smells, and energy of this incredible place.

    Let me tell you, the air here carries the scent of sizzling spices like a warning and an invitation all in one. Even without sight, I can feel the magic of a new place through the small things: the vibe of a bustling street, the laughter in the air, the taste of unfamiliar dishes. Speaking of which…

    Thailand is spicy.
    I had to drink more water in one meal than I usually do in a day just to put out the fire in my mouth. At one point, I almost gave up on the food entirely until I discovered the life-saving phrase via Google Translate: “Can you make it less spicy?” Shoutout to technology for saving my taste buds.

    Transportation here? My friend and I opted for a scooter—fast, cheap, and chaotic. I rode passenger, which turned into an adventure in itself. Not being able to see the bumps coming up meant I got surprise jolts like I was on a theme park ride with no warning signs. At one point, I almost flew off! But hey, adventure, right?

    Now, let’s talk about one of the most unforgettable—and unexpected—moments of this trip: the fried insect food stand at the Chatuchak Night Market. Yes, I said insects. Grasshoppers, crickets, maybe even a beetle or two. (I didn’t ask too many questions.)

    While most tourists stood around with a mix of curiosity and horror, I actually gave it a go. My friend couldn’t stomach the sight of it, but that’s where my blindness became an advantage. No visuals to hold me back—just crunch and flavor. Honestly? It tasted like dried fish or crispy jerky. I swear one of them even tasted like chicken. Don’t ask me which—I didn’t get names.

    So, what’s the point of today’s blog?

    Try something new. Go somewhere unfamiliar. Do something that makes you slightly uncomfortable.
    In my case, being blind didn’t limit me—it actually helped me embrace something many would shy away from. Sometimes, what looks like a limitation is just a different way to experience the world. A new path to adventure. A unique sense awakened.

    You never know… that thing you’re afraid of? It might just taste like chicken.

  • Your Mindset, Your Blueprint: Why Motivation Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

    Your Mindset, Your Blueprint: Why Motivation Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

    We are all beautifully, stubbornly, wonderfully unique—and so are our mindsets.

    Sure, we may share similar dreams, goals, or even motivational triggers. But underneath it all, your mindset is your personal operating system. It’s got its own quirks, updates, and sometimes—like mine—a few stubborn bugs. 😅

    Yes, there are templates out there. Motivational books, inspiring speeches, self-help videos—they’re like the pre-made layouts in a website builder. But just like those templates, you still have to customize them to fit you. You’re not here to copy-paste someone else’s life. You’re here to build your own.

    Let’s talk motivation. On the surface, lots of us might say we’re motivated by money. But if we peel back the layers, we find different stories:

    • Some chase money to pay the bills.
    • Some dream of luxury cars and penthouses.
    • Others want to give to a cause bigger than themselves.
    • Some need it for medical care.
    • And some just love watching their bank balance grow—it’s like a high score in the game of life.

    Same goal, different fuel.

    Now let’s flip it: happiness. Everyone wants it. But ask 10 people what makes them happy, and you’ll get 10 very different answers:

    • Traveling the world.
    • Spending time with family.
    • Dancing till 2 AM at a party.
    • Finally having time for a beloved hobby.
    • Sleeping in without an alarm and eating their favorite food in bed.

    We all want to be happy. But what happiness looks like? That’s a fingerprint too.

    Here’s the thing: most of us are taking the scenic route to happiness—work hard, make money, buy time, then enjoy life. But isn’t the shortest distance between two points a straight line?

    So why not just… be happy now?

    Of course, if it were that easy, we’d all be zen monks sipping mango smoothies under a palm tree. But the point remains: your motivation, your mindset, your happiness—they all come from inside you.

    You won’t find the perfect mindset on a podcast. Or in a blog post. (Even this one. Sorry! 😄)

    But what you will find are tools. Templates. Clues.

    The real work? That’s yours. You’ve got to do the soul searching. Set aside time—even just a few minutes—to slow down and listen inward. Whether you pray, meditate, walk in silence, or just sit with your thoughts, find a way to hear your own voice again.

    Me? I do both prayer and meditation. It helps me clear out the noise and find those ideas, that clarity—that spark.

    Because if someone hands you a mindset and says, “Here, wear this,” chances are it won’t fit right. It might feel awkward, clunky, or just plain wrong. That’s because it wasn’t designed for your DNA.

    So take inspiration from others, but build your own blueprint. Fill in your own boxes. Name your mindset. Make it yours.

    Once you own it, you’ll find it’s not just powerful—it’s unstoppable.

  • Taming the Inner Critic: A Conversation With the Voice in My Head

    Taming the Inner Critic: A Conversation With the Voice in My Head

    Our inner voice is powerful. Almost too powerful. You know the one I’m talking about—it sounds oddly familiar… kind of like a certain animal?

    If you’ve been following my blog series on The Chimp Paradox, you know exactly what I mean.

    When I look back at my life, I see countless moments where that voice nearly stopped me before I even started. Like dating—before I could even ask someone out, that voice would step in with all kinds of excuses:

    “She’s out of your league.”
    “You can’t even drive.”
    “You don’t have money—how would you take her out?”
    “You’d just be a burden.”

    Ouch. Romantic, right?

    That same voice popped up when I thought about finding a job or starting a business.

    “You can’t do that.”
    “You can’t even see your computer screen.”
    “How will you read client documents?”
    “Who’s going to trust you to run a business?”

    Super inspiring. Not.

    And then there’s independent living.

    “You can’t cook.”
    “You can’t grocery shop.”
    “What if there’s an emergency?”
    “How would you get your kid to school?”

    Now add in something as simple as having fun.

    “You can’t play sports.”
    “You can’t drive to meet friends.”
    “Even if you get there, how will you get around?”

    At this point, the voice wasn’t just a critic—it was a full-time dream killer. And honestly? It worked. For years, that inner dialogue kept me frozen. Not because what it said was always wrong—but because I never questioned it. I accepted it as truth before giving myself a chance to try.

    And that… is a heavy way to live.

    Eventually, I realized that this voice, while convincing, wasn’t necessarily right. It was worried, not wise. It was trying to protect me, not push me. Its concerns weren’t facts—they were just “what ifs” with no follow-through.

    Sometimes our inner voice jumps too far ahead or gets stuck in the past. It’s our job to pull it back into the present. Like I’ve said in previous blogs: when the Chimp starts swinging from the vines, it’s the Human’s job to calmly say, “Hey, I hear you—but let’s talk facts.”

    We all have weaknesses, challenges, drama, and emotional baggage. That doesn’t mean we should retreat into our caves every time doubt shows up. It might be a warning sign—but it’s not a stop sign.

    So next time you feel excited about a new idea, opportunity, or adventure—whether it’s a date, a business, or a trip—and that voice starts creeping in?

    Just smile and say:

    “Thanks for your concern, but I got this. We got this.”

    Then do the thing. Go on that date. Launch that business. Play that sport. Travel. Laugh. Live.

    Because from firsthand experience, I promise you—your inner voice will come around… and thank you for proving it wrong.

  • Taming the Chaos: How to Build a Peaceful Mind Without Perfection

    Taming the Chaos: How to Build a Peaceful Mind Without Perfection

    We’ve met the Chimp, heard it scream, watched it argue with the Human, exposed the Gremlins and Goblins feeding it junk thoughts, and even started training it.

    So… now what?

    Do we reach a point where the Chimp is fully tame, fully obedient, and we float through life like Zen monks sipping green tea on a mountaintop?

    Honestly?
    Nope.

    But what we can reach is something even better:
    Inner harmony.

    🧠 Not Control—Leadership

    Here’s the truth: You can’t control your Chimp. That’s not how the emotional brain works. But you can lead it.

    You’re not here to bully it into silence or pretend it doesn’t exist.
    You’re here to say:

    “Hey Chimp, I know you’re scared. I’ve got us now.”

    It’s not about perfection. It’s about partnership.

    🧍‍♂️ From My Life to Yours

    As someone who’s blind, I’ve had to face my Chimp more times than I can count. There were moments when I let fear make my decisions. I sat out. Stayed quiet. Hid.

    But over time, I realized:

    My Chimp wasn’t the enemy.
    My fear wasn’t a flaw.
    It was a signal—telling me I cared, that I was on the edge of growth.

    Instead of shutting that part of me down, I started listening.
    Leading.
    Showing up anyway.

    And you can too.

    🛠 How to Create Inner Peace (Even When Life’s Messy)

    1. Acknowledge Your Humanity

    You have emotions. So does everyone else. You don’t have to be robotic to be strong.

    2. Let the Chimp Ride—Just Not Drive

    When fear shows up, let it sit in the backseat. Give it a snack if you want—but don’t hand it the wheel.

    3. Lead with Compassion

    Speak to yourself the way you’d speak to a loved one. Be firm, but kind. Encourage, don’t punish.

    4. Keep Doing the Reps

    Mental fitness is just like physical fitness. You don’t go to the gym once and call it done. Show up. Train your mind. Stay aware.

    🌱 What Harmony Looks Like

    It doesn’t mean you never feel afraid, anxious, or off-balance.
    It means you know why, and you know how to respond.

    Harmony is when your Chimp trusts your Human enough to stop panicking all the time.
    It’s when your inner team starts rowing in the same direction—even if the waters get rough.

    And maybe, just maybe, you even start appreciating the Chimp for what it is:
    A loud, lovable, emotionally charged part of you that just wants to survive.

    💬 Final Thoughts

    You are not broken.
    You’re a beautifully complex mix of emotion, logic, instinct, and growth.
    Your Chimp doesn’t need to disappear.
    It just needs to know you’ve got this.

    Because you do.