Blind Can You Can

Tag: relationships

  • 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.

  • Let It Go (For Real This Time): Why Holding On Holds You Back

    Like that infamous Disney song goes—“Let it go!” Easier sung than done, right?

    Letting go of the past, a grudge, or a deep disappointment is not always as easy as Elsa makes it seem. Many times, we’re emotionally invested in our history, our pain, and even our anger. Some people are lucky enough to travel light in life, but the rest of us? We’re dragging emotional carry-ons, checked bags, and probably an overweight suitcase of unresolved issues.

    And just like at the airport, extra baggage will cost you.

    The thing is, some of these burdens can’t be seen or touched, but emotionally? They take up prime real estate in our hearts and minds.

    Sometimes we think that holding on—clinging to the anger, the betrayal, the “they did me wrong” moment—gives us power. That if we keep the memory alive, maybe it’ll make the other person feel guilty, sorry, or finally give us the closure we deserve.

    But here’s the truth bomb: they probably don’t even know. Or care.
    They’re living their lives, while you’re stuck in the same emotional holding pattern.

    So who really loses?

    I’ll be the first to admit it—I’ve done this. For the longest time, I blamed my parents for my disability. I blamed friends and exes who left me. I blamed the people who didn’t give me a shot or passed judgment without knowing me.

    I held on tight. But the irony? None of them knew.
    They were off living their lives.
    I was the only one left hurting.

    The truth is, my life is my responsibility.
    Not theirs.
    And the longer I held on, the more I delayed my own healing and happiness.

    It reminds me of sparring in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Sometimes, I hold onto a grip or a position for too long because it feels safe. Familiar. But if I don’t adapt or let go when it’s time, that good position turns into a bad one. Next thing I know—I’m getting passed, countered, or submitted.

    Same goes for life.

    Your job—my job—isn’t to stop others from doing their thing. It’s to protect our own peace, adapt, and make the necessary changes to keep moving forward.

    Because if we don’t?
    Life will sweep right past us. Submit us. And we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves.

    Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting.
    It doesn’t mean pretending it didn’t hurt.
    It just means you’ve decided to stop carrying the weight.

    So take a deep breath.
    Let go of what no longer serves you.
    And step into what could be—not what should’ve been.

  • 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.

  • 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.