Blind Can You Can

Tag: health

  • Let Your Original Flavor Shine: Why Loving Yourself Is the Real Game-Changer

    The Original Flavor

    I caught up with a friend today, and during our conversation, he said something that really struck me:
    “Your original flavor is good enough—you don’t need to dress it up.”

    That simple statement stirred something in me. It reminded me of something I read recently in one of Brian Tracy’s books: we have to love ourselves before we can truly love others. Just like the old airplane wisdom—put on your own oxygen mask before assisting someone else.

    But in real life, many of us forget to do that. We get so caught up trying to be everything to everyone that we end up neglecting ourselves. We’re running on empty while trying to fill everyone else’s cup. But how can you take care of others if you’re falling apart yourself? How can you give love if you don’t have any left for you?

    We live in a world that thrives on appearances—on polished, filtered, curated versions of ourselves. Social media has made it far too easy to create a persona that the world will “like,” follow, and subscribe to. It’s tempting, isn’t it? That little dopamine hit from each heart and thumbs-up makes us feel seen… for a moment.

    But here’s the real question:
    Isn’t it your own job to validate yourself?

    You should be the one telling yourself, “You’re good enough.” You should be your own biggest fan. Because at the end of the day, the likes won’t pay your bills, and your followers won’t hold your hand when life gets rough.

    Now don’t get me wrong—I’m not writing this because I’ve got it all figured out. There are days I talk myself down. Days I feel like a loser who’s just fallen behind in life’s race. Days when the idea of faking a happy life on social media just to feel a little better creeps into my mind.

    But then I remind myself:
    My original flavor is good enough.
    And if the world can’t see that, well… that’s their loss.

    Loving yourself is the foundation that everything else is built on. When you do, you can love others more fully. You grow faster. You become bolder. You become a force to be reckoned with because your strength comes from within—not from a like count.

    Now, some people might say that sounds self-absorbed or egotistical. But here’s the twist: if you’re using your growth to give back, then it’s not ego—it’s purpose.

    Look at Kobe Bryant. He believed in himself, loved himself enough to put in the work every single day. He didn’t fake greatness. He showed up with passion, grit, and confidence—and look at the legacy he left behind. Not only did he win, but he gave back to the game and to his community in a massive way.

    Or take In-N-Out Burger, one of my favorite spots. They’ve kept the same simple menu for decades. No gimmicks, no over-the-top sauces—just the original flavor. And because they stayed true to who they are, they became a globally recognized brand. People from around the world make it a point to stop by when they visit California. Now, they give back through scholarships, community fundraising, and even free hot chocolate when it rains.

    That’s the power of staying true to your flavor.

    So, what’s the takeaway?

    Love yourself.
    Simple to say. Not always easy to do.
    But when you learn to show up authentically—when you let your original flavor shine—that’s when the real magic happens.

    Be you. The world needs what only you can offer.

  • Falling Forward: How to Turn Failure Into Your Greatest Comeback

    How Do We Deal with Failure?

    Today, I got some disappointing news. The results of my recent interview weren’t what I was hoping for—and trust me, I had high hopes. I spent nearly the entire day calling around, trying to get some kind of explanation. The responses I got were… well, let’s just say “vague” is an understatement.

    I know my background. I know my experience. I even know that my current operations are solid. If anything, maybe it was the interview itself. And even then—I didn’t think I bombed it. But maybe that’s the elusive “X factor.”

    I’ll be honest—I wanted the decision reversed immediately. Like, right now. But life doesn’t usually come with an “undo” button. The account I bid for will eventually be rereleased, and I’ll have another chance to apply. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to speak directly with the panelists to understand what went wrong, but there are other resources—like the organizer—who might offer some insight on how I can improve.

    It’s not ideal. I won’t sugarcoat that. Part of me wants to curl up in a ball, put on some sad music, and wallow. But here’s the thing: that doesn’t move the needle. That doesn’t get me closer to my goals.

    This is one failure. Not the failure. It doesn’t define me, and it sure as heck doesn’t define you.

    History is full of legendary names who didn’t exactly knock it out of the park on their first try:

    • Ray Kroc didn’t step into McDonald’s until he was 54.
    • Colonel Sanders heard “no” hundreds of times before KFC was born.
    • Walt Disney? Filed for bankruptcy more than once.

    If they had thrown in the towel after their first setback, the world would’ve missed out on Big Macs, buckets of chicken, and a mouse with a theme park empire.

    The truth is, success is built on the back of many, many failures. It’s those failures that refine us. They sharpen our skills, shift our perspective, and—if we let them—make us stronger than ever before.

    We’ve all heard the sayings:

    “You can’t keep a good person down.”
    “Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
    “It’s not about how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get back up.”

    There’s a reason those quotes have lasted—because they’re true.

    No one promised that life would be easy. If they did, they were probably trying to sell you something. Life is full of highs and lows, triumphs and setbacks. And honestly? That’s what makes it interesting. That’s what makes it worth living.

    So here’s to failing forward, staying in the game, and showing up again—maybe even with a smile and a new strategy.

    Because failure isn’t the end of the story. It’s just the beginning of a comeback.

  • Shiny Object Syndrome: Finding Your True North in a Noisy World

    We live in a world where the next “big thing” is always one click away. A new hustle. A new side gig. A new promise of overnight success. Welcome to the world of Shiny Object Syndrome—where every opportunity looks like gold, and it’s easier than ever to lose sight of your true path.

    Let’s be real: if you don’t have a firm grasp on your North Star, it’s easy to get swayed by the latest trend or someone else’s definition of success. A wandering mind is like a Wi-Fi signal on a rainy day—easily disrupted.

    It kind of reminds me of a Jedi mind trick. As Obi-Wan said, “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for…”—and you nod along, even when they’re clearly your droids. That’s how it feels when the world keeps telling you who you should be, what you should chase, and why you’re “behind” if you’re not doing it their way.

    I’ve been listening to Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck, hoping to find some clarity myself. And let me tell you—this whole “life purpose” thing sometimes feels like a superhero origin story. You know, a regular person gets bitten by a radioactive spider or injected with super-soldier serum and suddenly finds their destiny. I wish it were that easy.

    Truth is, many people spend their whole lives searching for their purpose… and some never quite find it.

    Worse, the world is full of people and programs ready to exploit that search. Social media, YouTube, emails—everywhere I look, someone is trying to sell me their version of purpose. “Become a stock trader!” “Flip real estate!” “Go viral on YouTube!” “Sell digital assets!” Each one is pitched as the golden ticket to financial freedom.

    And if you’re not jumping in, the message is clear: you must not want success badly enough.

    It’s exhausting. It makes you feel like a failure for not joining their “cool kid” club.

    Now, I’m not saying all these paths are scams—some might work for the right person. But the point is, there’s a lot of noise. And that noise can make it harder for regular folks like us to hear our own voice.

    Here’s what I believe: we weren’t all meant to do the same thing.

    We each have God-given gifts, and we were built to play different roles. Not everyone is supposed to be the quarterback. Some of us are wide receivers, linemen, coaches, even bench players who come in at the exact right time and change the game.

    It doesn’t make one person better than another—it just means we all have a different assignment.

    And only you know yours.

    It’s not something someone else can sell you. It’s not something an algorithm can predict. Your North Star is already programmed into your DNA. You just have to listen. Your body, your heart, your soul—they’ll tell you when something is right. It won’t just feel like, “That sounds nice.” It’ll be more like a full-body “YES.” That’s when you know.

    I wish I could say I’ve found my North Star already. The truth is—I’m still looking.

    Sure, I’ve dabbled in things like stock trading or thinking about becoming a real estate investor, but if I’m being honest, those things sound nice mostly because they promise money. They don’t light my soul on fire. They don’t feel like a calling. I want something I’d still love—even if it never made me rich.

    Something that serves others. Something that leaves a mark.

    I don’t think I’m alone in that.

    Maybe my purpose is to share my journey—my highs, my lows, my lessons—so others can find their own path a little faster. I believe we all have value to give, and I believe we need each other to get where we’re meant to be.

    So, to those of you still searching: you’re not alone.

    To those who’ve found your true North: don’t forget to lend a hand to the rest of us.

    And to the dark side and its shiny Jedi mind tricks? Nice try. We’re not falling for it anymore.

  • Dig Deep, Push Forward: Growth Lives Outside the Comfort Zone

    Digging Deep and Pushing Forward

    I was reading The Way of the SEAL by Mark Divine today. Tons of great takeaways, but one really hit home: pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.

    Let’s be honest—humans love habits. We’re practically programmed to stick with what’s easy, convenient, and comfortable. That’s great for ordering takeout or watching the same Netflix show on repeat—but not so great for personal growth.

    Getting too comfortable can quietly trap you in a rut. It stunts your potential, locks you into bad routines, or worse—makes you settle for a life that’s “just okay.”

    I truly believe that no matter where you are in life, there’s always room to grow. As a Chinese saying goes:
    “Live till you’re old, learn till you’re old.”
    (Or in modern terms: lifelong learning > lifelong lounging.)

    Yes, growth is uncomfortable. But that’s why it works. That’s when we have to dig deep.

    You’ve heard it before: “No pain, no gain.” Mark Divine, a former Navy SEAL, shares stories from his training that sound like something straight out of an action movie… but with way more sand and shouting. Still, through it all, he learned to calm his mind and push through. And if it works for SEALs crawling through freezing mud for fun, maybe there’s something to it.

    The truth is—it’s hard, not impossible.

    Our minds are incredibly powerful. With the right mindset, we can endure far more than we imagine. When things get tough, finding the joy—or at least the purpose—in what you’re doing can make all the difference.

    Look at elite athletes. They train relentlessly. But when they’re in the zone? They say things like:
    “We just went out there and played our game.”
    “We just had fun.”
    That mindset—being fully present, enjoying the process—is what helps them perform at their best.

    For me, one of my “happy places” is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Being blind limits what I can do in many sports, but on the mats? I feel free. For those few minutes, I’m not thinking about bills, stress, or anything else. I’m just rolling, learning, flowing. No distractions—just focus. And that, my friends, is the zone.

    That’s how I want to take on life.

    Whether it’s work, school, or parenting—I want to show up, dig deep, push forward… and crush it. I want to learn from my mistakes, grow a little every day, and keep stretching that comfort zone. Not because it’s easy—but because it’s worth it.

    So, let’s challenge ourselves.

    Shake things up a bit:

    • Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
    • Try a cold shower (yep, they’re brutal but oddly energizing).
    • Visit a new restaurant instead of the usual spot.
    • Say hi to a stranger—who knows, they might be awesome.

    Each small step outside your comfort zone is a step into a bigger, bolder version of you.

    We’re all capable of more than we think. So don’t wait for the perfect moment.
    Get in the zone, dig deep, and push forward.

  • Why Me? Turning Life’s Hard Questions into Personal Power

    Why Me? Flipping the Script on Life’s Toughest Questions

    “Why me?” That’s the question we ask when life throws us a curveball—or ten. I’ve asked it many times. Actually, I asked it today.

    Why am I blind?
    Why am I broke?
    Why am I alone?

    Why me?

    But maybe that’s the wrong question. Maybe we should be asking: Why not me?

    It’s kind of like turning a frown upside down. When we ask “why,” we often assume something’s wrong—like we’ve been unfairly singled out by the universe. But problems without solutions just become stress. And stress, as you might’ve noticed, doesn’t fix anything—it just drains your battery and your soul.

    So, let’s flip the script.

    Instead of asking why—ask what.

    • What can I do because I’m blind?
    • What can I do because I’m broke?
    • What can I do because I’m alone?

    Let’s turn that pain into power. That problem into purpose. That frustration into fuel.

    I know—it’s easier said than done. Asking someone to turn their challenges into strength can feel like asking them to turn coal into diamonds. But you know what? That’s literally how diamonds are made: with pressure, time, and grit. So yes, it’s hard. But it’s not impossible.

    One of my biggest pet peeves is when people point out problems without offering solutions. It creates stress, negativity, and leaves people hanging. But when someone acknowledges a challenge and offers help? That’s gold.

    Like when someone says,
    “Sir, this place is crowded—can I guide you to where you need to go?”
    Boom—problem acknowledged, solution offered. That’s service. That’s kindness. That’s what makes life easier for everyone.

    Think about it:
    If the food’s wrong at a restaurant, the server doesn’t just say “Yeah, that’s tough.” They say, “Let me fix that for you.”
    If your team’s short-staffed, and a coworker says, “I can stay a bit longer to help”—that’s someone who gets it.
    If you see someone struggling, just offering to help them find what they’re looking for changes the whole experience.

    Nobody likes to be left hanging. Not even you.
    So when you ask “Why me?”—don’t leave yourself hanging.

    Be the one who steps up for yourself. Offer your own soul a helping hand.
    You noticed a problem—great. Now do yourself the courtesy of working on a solution.

    So next time you ask, “Why me?”
    Take a breath.
    Stay grateful for what you do have.
    And ask:

    • What can I learn from this?
    • What can I do better?
    • What strengths can I grow because of this limitation?

    Because here’s the truth: every adversity carries the seed of a greater strength.

    Your limitations don’t define you—they refine you. They sharpen the parts of you that need to shine.

    You’ve got this. Diamonds aren’t born overnight—but they are made under pressure. Keep shining.