Blind Can You Can

Tag: health

  • Strengthening Your Mindset: A Daily Practice

    Mindset Is a Muscle

    Everything I read, watch, listen to, and learn is shaping my mindset—bit by bit, day by day. There’s this idea out there that successful people all share a certain mindset, right? That’s what I grew up believing. And honestly, I think it’s true… but it’s also something I’m still figuring out.

    Mindset isn’t something you just “get” one day and then keep forever. It’s more like a muscle—a mind muscle, if you will. And like any muscle, it needs to be trained, stretched, fed, and sometimes given a good talking to. Reading one inspiring book, attending a single training, or watching a killer motivational video might give you a boost—but without consistent practice, the strength fades.

    Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected twists and turns, sharp lefts, and a few potholes just to keep things interesting. Your mindset is your vehicle through it all, and if it’s not maintained, you’re going to feel every bump.

    Acceptance… and Then Some

    In an earlier blog, I talked about acceptance—and honestly, it’s foundational. For me, that means accepting my visual impairment. No amount of frustration, sadness, tears, or tantrums is going to change that reality.

    But acceptance is just step one. Step two? Letting go.

    That’s the one I’m still working on. I tend to get fired up when things don’t go as planned—when people don’t meet my expectations, or when life simply refuses to follow my script. For example, I get frustrated when drivers can’t find my drop-off location. In my mind, I’m thinking, “It’s right there! You have a GPS and two eyes—what’s the problem?” But then I remember: sometimes GPS is wonky, drop-off points are chaotic, and people are just doing their best. (I mean, I’ve never driven a car—I probably shouldn’t be too hard on those who do.)

    What’s really happening in those moments is that I’m projecting my standards—my vision of perfection—onto others. And let’s be honest, that’s a one-way ticket to disappointment.

    I even catch myself doing it with my son. I want him to focus, to get things right, to be just like me—but sometimes, kids just want to play in the moment, not hit every checkbox on a to-do list. And really, maybe they’ve got it right.

    Let It Go (Yes, Just Like the Song)

    So I remind myself: let it go. Don’t project. Don’t assume. Don’t expect perfection. Instead, think of others first. Be thankful.

    Thankful that someone’s out there driving a paratransit van or working long hours to help people get where they need to go. Thankful that I have a support system, options, and chances to grow. Thankful that I even get to think about mindset and share it with you.

    Final Thought: When the Mind Is Distracted, the Heart Is Weary

    The real takeaway today? Gratitude clears the mind. When you’re angry, stressed, or annoyed, your mental space shrinks. You can’t focus, you can’t create, and you definitely can’t be your best.

    But when you can let things go, shift your perspective, and stay grounded in gratitude—that’s when your mindset gets stronger. That’s when your mind muscle shows up and says, “I got this.”

    So if today feels messy, chaotic, or not at all how you planned—take a breath. Maybe even laugh a little. Life isn’t perfect, but our attitude doesn’t have to be either. Just work that muscle.

  • The Honest Truth About Time Management”

    There’s never enough time!
    Sound familiar? I catch myself thinking this all the time. It feels like I’m constantly rushing, playing beat-the-clock in a game where the clock always seems to be winning. And yes, I’ve played the blame game too: If only everyone else would just cooperate! Then I’d surely have more time… right?

    Well, no. That’s not entirely true.
    The reality is, I am the one responsible for how my time is used—or misused. No one else can manage (or mismanage) my time, because it belongs to me. It was given to me by God, and I can either honor it or squander it. The choice is mine. And yours too.

    Here’s the beautiful (and slightly terrifying) truth:
    We all get the same 24 hours each day. Rich or poor, introvert or extrovert, night owl or morning rooster—it doesn’t matter. We all get 86,400 seconds daily, just like Jim Kwik says. At midnight, that account resets. Whether we spent the day conquering our dreams or deep-diving into cat videos is up to us.

    If we were to divide our time like a well-balanced pie, it would look something like this:
    8 hours for sleep, 8 hours for work, and 8 hours for free time. But let’s be real—when was the last time any of us followed that perfect little equation?

    In my world, it’s more like:

    • 5 hours sleep
    • 10 hours work
    • 9 hours wondering why Outlook won’t connect my Gmail account. (Seriously, that happened. I spent hours trying to fix it, only to have a Microsoft rep remote into my computer and solve it in minutes. Technology humbles me.)

    But here’s the lesson: I could have asked for help sooner. And there’s no shame in that. We were put on this planet with other people for a reason. Working with others—whether it’s fixing email or chasing big dreams—makes the journey faster, easier, and a whole lot more meaningful.

    What I’ve learned (and am still learning) is the importance of prioritizing the tasks that move the needle. The actions that get me closer to my goals. The rest? They can usually wait—or be delegated. Especially in a work setting, everyone plays a part. If we each focus on our own piece of the puzzle, the whole picture comes together more quickly and beautifully.

    That’s why I wrote out my 3 main goals in my last blog. Just three. Not thirty. I wanted something simple and focused—goals that touch different parts of my life like finances, work, family, and relationships. Because when we manage our time with purpose, we tap into something powerful.

    Time is power.
    We can always make more money. But we can never make more time.

    That’s why clarity is key. Knowing what we’re working toward helps us say no to what distracts us—whether it’s social media, spam emails, or that chatty neighbor who wants to tell us their life story again while we’re just trying to check the mail. (Bless their heart.)

    The goal isn’t to become a productivity robot, but to live with intention. To find balance. And yes, moderation—that underrated word that helps us juggle a million things without losing our minds.

    Right now, my mental to-do list looks like a circus:

    • Hire employees for a new location
    • Find a new warehouse
    • Look for a new place to live
    • Save more money
    • Research investment options
    • Write an ebook
    • Keep up this blog
    • Get my kid to all  his activities
    • Oh, and maybe remember to breathe

    But even in the chaos, I believe things will fall into place—as long as I keep managing my mind and my time.

  • What Is My Purpose in Life?

    That’s a question many of us ask ourselves at some point—or maybe all the time. I know I do. For me, it often comes up during moments when I feel lost, doubt my abilities, or when I’m simply unhappy with where I am in life. Whether it stems from a lack of direction, a low emotional state, or comparing ourselves to others, the question remains: Why am I here? What am I meant to do?

    Most self-help books suggest prayer, meditation, or quiet time to reflect deeply and uncover what we truly want out of life. Coaches, gurus, speakers, and authors often tie purpose to wealth or success—selling the idea that fulfillment lies in financial achievement. But is that really why we were placed on this Earth? Just to chase money?

    Don’t get me wrong—I’m not against having money. It may not buy happiness, but it does offer choices and freedom. Still, I’ve never chased wealth for the sake of being rich. That just doesn’t feel like my true purpose. I’ll save the deeper dive on money for another blog post. This one is about purpose.

    I’m reminded of a simple story:
    A wealthy businessman sees a fisherman relaxing by the shore, not out at sea. The businessman tells him, “If you worked harder, you could catch more fish, buy a fleet of boats, and eventually be rich like me.”
    The fisherman replies, “And then what?”
    The businessman says, “Then you can enjoy life.”
    The fisherman smiles and says, “What do you think I’m doing right now?”

    That story always grounds me. It reminds me that chasing more doesn’t always bring joy—it often just brings more stress. We might already have what we need to be happy but are too busy chasing something else to realize it. It’s like the saying: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

    I’m not saying we should settle. I’m saying that our purpose in life should not be defined by what society deems important—it should be defined by what we find meaningful. For me, I need to figure out what truly brings me joy, not what looks good on paper or impresses other people. Lately, I’ve realized I feel most at peace and purposeful when I’m spending time with people who genuinely care about me.

    Right now, I can’t even fully write down what I want to do with my life—my mind feels clouded by outside expectations and noise. But I do know this: My purpose is somewhere in the quiet, in the simple moments, and in the connections that matter.

  • Quieting the Chaos: Training My Mind to Focus and Be Present

    If your mind is anything like mine, it can feel like it’s racing at a million thoughts per second. All the what ifs, should-haves, regrets, worries, wishes, moments of joy and sadness—it’s a never-ending loop. This mental flood hits me almost every waking hour, making it hard to focus, be productive, or even fall asleep at night.

    From the many self-help books I’ve read, one message comes through loud and clear: to move forward in life, we must first quiet the mind.

    Creating Space for Stillness

    What most experts recommend is carving out time each day to intentionally calm the mind—whether through meditation, prayer, or simply spending a few moments in silence. The key is to disconnect from everything: your phone, social media, the news, even people. Just step away for a bit and sit with yourself.

    This “alone time” isn’t about loneliness—it’s about reclaiming your mental space. It’s about redirecting your thoughts from the chaos of past regrets and future worries to the only thing we truly have: the present moment.

    Meditation: Learning to Breathe and Be Still

    Meditation is the most common method people use for this practice of mental stillness. The idea is to focus on one thing, clear your mind, and ground yourself. For me, concentrating on my breathing has been surprisingly helpful.

    Breathing is usually automatic, but when you turn it into a conscious act—inhaling and exhaling with intention—it becomes a form of mental exercise. It gives your busy brain something simple and present to focus on. When I do this, it feels like I’m giving my mind a break from its usual storm of thoughts.

    I’ve only been practicing this for about a week now, but I’m already seeing signs of clarity. This will now become part of my daily routine, right alongside exercise, journaling, and goal-setting.

    Training the Mind to Be Present

    The real goal here is to train my mind to focus, to stop wandering off into the past or racing into the future. I want to be present, especially in the moments that matter—like spending time with family and friends, or working on something meaningful.

    Too often, I catch myself physically in a moment but mentally somewhere else. It’s like I’m watching my life from the sidelines instead of living it. That disconnect not only affects my productivity, but also my relationships. I’m realizing how important it is to break that pattern—not just for my work, but for the people I care about.

    Final Thoughts

    This week, I’ve started working on my ability to focus and be present, and it’s already showing promise. I’m learning that inner peace is not passive—it’s a discipline. A skill I can practice daily, just like anything else in my routine.

    Maybe you’ve tried meditation, or maybe you have another practice that works for you. Either way, the message is the same: when we train our minds to be still, we create room for clarity, purpose, and deeper connection—with ourselves and with others.

    Let’s not just go through life on autopilot. Let’s learn to actually live in the moments we’re given.