Blind Can You Can

Tag: personal-growth

  • Let Your Authentic Self Shine: Living Life on Your Own Terms

    Let Your Authentic Self Shine: Living Life on Your Own Terms

    Sometimes life feels just fine… until someone else tells you it isn’t. You’re going along, happy with your decisions, and suddenly a friend, family member, or random stranger on social media starts handing out opinions like coupons at a grocery store.

    Maybe you want to live a certain lifestyle—be vegan, move up to the mountains, or work at that nonprofit you love. Maybe you want to be a foster parent to a dozen kids, or maybe you want none. Maybe you’ve chosen a career that isn’t high-paying but is fulfilling, closer to home, or simply allows you to spend more time with family.

    Basically, you just want to do you. But for some reason, everyone around you feels the need to second-guess your choices.

    Of course, I get it—there are some decisions that are just plain wrong (lying, cheating, stealing, killing—yeah, don’t do those). But outside of the obvious stuff, when it comes to everyday life decisions, it feels like everyone has an opinion.

    Your friends might say, “Why are you vegan? Meat is amazing!” Or, “Why live up in the mountains? The city is where the action is!”
    Your parents might push for that high-paying career in tech, law, or medicine so you can buy the big house, the luxury car, and provide for a family.
    And strangers online? Oh, they’ll tell you to ditch your 9-to-5, start a business, and chase “generational wealth.”

    It doesn’t stop there—they’ll have opinions on the clothes you wear, the people you date, and basically how you live your entire life. But here’s the thing: who knows you best? You do.

    I lived like this for most of my life. I grew up in a good neighborhood with a competitive school district. Pressure was the norm—you had to compete for the best grades, the best colleges, the highest-paying jobs, the nicest houses, cars, and kids who could probably write code before they could walk.

    All that pressure distorted who I really was. For the longest time, I wasn’t okay with what I actually wanted: a simple life.

    The truth? I don’t care for fancy cars (can’t drive anyway). I don’t want a mansion; I just need a roof. I don’t care about designer clothes, fine dining, or the latest gadget. What I want is affordable housing, a reasonable cost of living, and a community where people value connection more than the number in their bank account.

    So here’s the real question: What do you want in your life?

    I finally realized it doesn’t matter what others think. Yes, friends and family mean well, but at the end of the day, I’m the one who has to live with my decisions—not them. We can thank them for their advice, but we still have to follow what’s right for us—and if you’re like me, what God wants for us too.

    We all have an authentic self, and it deserves to be front and center. Maybe your authentic self is serving others in a third-world country, maybe it’s starting a business, maybe it’s living a simple life with a spouse, a few kids, and the essentials. Whatever it is—it’s yours.

    Don’t let others dictate what makes you happy. Only you know that truth. And even if it takes some digging, that authentic self is in there, waiting to shine.

  • You Are the Product: How to Sell Yourself Without Selling Out

    You Are the Product: How to Sell Yourself Without Selling Out

    We might roll our eyes every time a telemarketer calls—but let’s be real: in some way, we’re all doing the same thing. Maybe not cold-calling strangers 100 times a day, but every day, we’re selling ourselves.

    Think about it. In a job interview, we’re pitching our skills and experience. On a date, we’re showcasing our best selves. At a networking event, church, or even standing in line at the DMV—we’re presenting who we are through how we talk, how we dress, how we carry ourselves.

    And don’t even get me started on social media. Every post, every caption, even this blog is part of how I “sell” my mindset to the world.

    But here’s the truth:
    You can’t sell yourself if you don’t believe in yourself.

    You are a walking, talking reflection of your inner world. If you don’t believe you’re good enough, chances are no one else will either. The deal won’t close—not because you’re not worthy, but because your self-belief didn’t show up to the meeting.

    Yes, I take some inspiration from sales tactics. Not the sleazy stuff—but the deeper truths. Because being a great salesperson isn’t about manipulation. It’s about understanding yourself, connecting with others, and knowing your value.

    This all comes down to mindset—the one I try to live by and encourage here:
    🧠 Understanding. Acknowledgment. Acceptance. Growth.

    If you “fail to close the sale”—that’s okay. The beauty is, you are the product. That means you can evolve, refine, and come back better. Failure isn’t the end. It’s just market feedback.

    Believing you’re already perfect and never need to change? That’s not confidence—that’s ego in disguise. Real confidence includes self-reflection and a willingness to grow.

    Even when we bring our best game, the work isn’t done. We still have to show up, hit the gym (physically or mentally), and do the reps. Whether you’re coming off an MVP performance or a night you’d rather erase from memory, the key is the same:
    Show up. Do the work. Keep growing.

    That’s what it means to sell yourself—not with desperation, not hoping others feel sorry for you, but with grounded confidence. You attract what you believe you deserve. Someone once gave me a hard truth:

    “You’ll never get anywhere by making people feel sorry for you.”

    And they were right.

    So stand tall. Own your story. Do the inner work.
    Be your own best closer. Because the deal you’re making? It’s the one that shapes your life.

  • The Real Buy-In: Fueling Your Dreams Beyond the Whys

    The buy-in has to be bigger than the prize. Let me say that again—what you want must be more powerful than all the “whys” holding you back.

    Most of us start by asking, “Why am I doing this?” or “Why should I even try?” That sounds logical. But here’s the problem—if your “why” isn’t solid enough, you’ll fold the moment things get hard. You’ll lose the energy to get back up when life knocks you down. Worst of all? You’ll lose the willpower to even get out of bed.

    Let’s be honest—life has a way of wearing us down.
    Work. Bills. Kids. Relationships. Health. Hustle.
    There’s always something trying to sap your energy.

    But life doesn’t hit pause just because we’re tired.
    The kids still need to be cared for. The job still needs to be done. The relationships still need attention.

    Too often, we burn out—not because we’re lazy or incapable—but because our buy-in was too weak. We were aiming halfway down the track instead of the finish line.

    Here’s the truth:
    If all the “why” questions in your head can convince you to stop, it’s a clear sign—you didn’t want it enough.
    And that’s okay! But it’s something we need to recognize and own.

    Because if you don’t believe in yourself—if you don’t truly want that goal—no motivation, no podcast, no guru is going to carry you through the hard days.
    The “why am I here?”, “why am I doing this?”, “why is this worth it?” questions will start echoing back with answers like:
    “You’re not good enough.”
    “This isn’t worth it.”
    “This is too hard.”
    Until finally, the loudest thought becomes: “Maybe I should just give up.”

    So how do you fight back?

    You get crystal clear on what you really want.
    Not what your parents want. Not what society tells you to chase. Not what looks cool on Instagram.
    Your dream. Your desire. Your calling.

    You will never fully buy in to someone else’s dream. If you try, you’ll end up half-hearted, uninspired, and exhausted. But when you know deep in your bones what you want—something that speaks to your spirit—your motivation becomes limitless.

    Think of it like Iron Man’s arc reactor.
    When your dream is truly yours, it powers everything—your focus, your courage, your energy, even your patience.
    With that in your arsenal, you’re not just fighting to win a single battle—you’re equipped for the whole war.

    So what’s the takeaway?

    • Find your dream.
    • Tune out the noise.
    • Don’t let your life be scripted by well-meaning friends or scrolling social media.

    How do you figure out what you really want?
    For me, it’s about getting quiet.
    Find a peaceful space—maybe out in nature. Silence the distractions. Quiet the mind. Breathe. Reflect.
    Let your soul guide you toward the truth. I know, it sounds a bit woo-woo, but hey… it just might work for you too.

    Because at the end of the day, your goal, your dream, your life—it’s your arc reactor.
    Only you can switch it on.

  • Gratitude vs. Growth: Can You Be Thankful and Still Want More?

    At this very moment, I find myself torn—do I fully accept what I have, or do I dare to want more?

    It’s like one of those age-old debates: love vs. money, or which came first—the chicken or the egg? But for me, the internal tug-of-war is between acceptance and ambition.

    There’s this message we often hear: “Be thankful for what you have.” Sounds nice, right? But depending on your mindset, it can feel either peaceful… or like a polite way of saying, “Just settle.” Some interpret it as a way to justify not reaching higher—like telling yourself, “I didn’t make it, but hey, at least I tried.” Others see it as a beautiful reminder to appreciate the blessings in life, even when they’re not perfect. It’s the classic glass-half-full perspective.

    Then there’s the flip side: wanting more.

    Some see the desire for more as a sign of drive and courage. The hunger that fuels greatness. Others might see it as greed, or worse—restlessness with no gratitude. Society loves to both glorify ambition and judge it at the same time.

    So where do I land in all this?

    Personally, I lean into being thankful for what I have. But not in a “throw in the towel” kind of way. For me, acceptance is about neutral awareness. It’s not saying “This is good” or “This is bad.” It’s just acknowledging, This is where I am. Financially. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. It’s like checking in on social media—no filters, no ratings—just letting the world (and yourself) know: “This is my location in life right now.”

    Why does this matter? Because in life, no matter what happened yesterday or what others have done to you, you always have a choice. That choice defines you.

    When people say, “Well, that’s just how I’ve always been,” it’s often a sign of resistance to change. An unwillingness to reflect or grow. They’re stuck—not because they have to be, but because they choose to be.

    And that’s where wanting more becomes a vital part of the mindset. Not “more” in a greedy, power-hungry way. But “more” as in: growth, evolution, abundance—not just for yourself, but for the people you love and the community around you.

    Wanting more so you can give more.

    It’s not selfish to dream bigger. It’s not greedy to want to improve. It’s about building on the foundation of gratitude—because without accepting where you are, how do you even know where to go?

    So here’s what I’ve come to believe:

    ✅ Acceptance gives you solid ground.
    ✅ Ambition gives you a ladder.
    ✅ And abundance? That’s the roof you build to shelter others.

    If you’re feeling conflicted between being content and chasing your goals, maybe it’s not an either/or. Maybe it’s both. Be grateful. And keep growing. The world needs your best—and so do you.

  • 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.