It’s a common belief that people who are blind from birth lack the kind of insight into life that sighted individuals have. After all, how can someone who cannot see miss out on so many things? And while it’s true that individuals who are blind from birth do miss out on some aspects of life, they also gain an ability to see the world in a way that the rest of us simply don’t.
That’s because those who are blind from birth are able to see past what they cannot see. Through this lens, they appear to understand things about life that most of us never will.
Ways Blind People Can Teach You About Life
When it comes to seeing the world, everyone is limited by their own set of experiences, beliefs, and circumstances. That’s why the insight from those who see things from a different perspective can be so beneficial.
If you are fortunate enough to have Zoom colleague who has partial or complete vision loss, use this opportunity to learn about their life and their struggles.
In fact, there are many lessons that blind individuals can teach you about living a better life. These tips will help you understand how someone with less sight than you can lead a more fulfilling existence than you at this moment.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
If you’re walking down a street and suddenly feel a bump under your foot, such as a rock or a root, you may not notice it as you’re walking. Someone who is visually impaired will feel this immediately. They should not hesitate to ask for help. You may be afraid of being perceived as needing assistance, but remember that everyone needs help sometimes.
Don’t let your pride get in the way of benefiting from the experience of others. Similarly, if you’re struggling to complete a project, don’t hesitate to ask others for assistance. Asking for help doesn’t make you less capable; it makes you more human. Working on your own all the time greatly limits your potential. Asking for assistance allows you to learn new skills and perspectives that will help you become a more well-rounded individual.
Try everything that interests you
Blind people are fully capable of doing anything that sighted individuals can do. They just have to find their own way of doing it. This often means developing new skills or practicing skills that others take for granted, such as reading or taking public transportation. Blind people often find hobbies and interests that don’t rely heavily on vision. If you’re fortunate enough to be in a relationship with a blind individual, don’t take for granted the skills that they’ve developed.
Try to learn how to do the same things they do, or discover new activities that you both can enjoy together. The more you try new things, the more likely you are to discover new parts of yourself. Many people are perfectly satisfied with their lives, but they never try anything new. Experiences open the mind and make us more empathetic, which are important skills for true happiness.
Don’t let your vision loss define you
It’s important to be respectful of your friend’s condition and the challenges that come with it, but don’t let that define how you view them. If you’re dating a blind person, don’t ask them to describe a beautiful scene that you’ve never seen before.
Blind individuals have just as much potential and deserve just as much respect as anyone else. Telling them they are different will only make them feel worse and prevent you from getting to know them as an individual. That being said, don’t treat your friend like they’re fragile and helpless. Blind people are often used to taking care of themselves and others. When you’re going on a date with a blind individual, let them decide where to go.
Live in the present moment
The more you focus on worrying about the future, the less you appreciate the present moment. You may be haunted by images of your dream career coming to an end, or you may be stressed about money. The problem with worrying is that it rarely solves anything.
It’s like a dog chasing its tail: you’ll never catch what you’re after. Instead of worrying about what you don’t know, focus on what’s happening right now. Living in the present moment doesn’t mean that you don’t have goals for your future or fail to plan for your future. Instead, it means that you take time each day to reflect on what’s happening right now in your life. In what ways are you happy right now? What do you appreciate in your life right now? What do you love?
Stay in touch with your senses
The more you rely on your other senses, the more you connect with the world around you. Your vision is an important sense, but it doesn’t have to be the only one. Many blind people rely heavily on their hearing and tactile senses. Try to tune into what’s happening around you.
Listen to the sounds of your neighborhood or city to learn more about the people who live there. Blind people often use what they hear to learn about the people around them. Similarly, feel the textures of the world around you. What are the textures of a person’s hair? What does the bark on a tree feel like? What does the sand on a beach feel like?
Take care of yourself physically and mentally
Healthy diets and exercise are important for everyone, but they are especially important for blind individuals. Eating a balanced diet will provide you with the energy you need to live a fulfilling life and maintain a healthy weight. Exercising gives you the strength you need to interact with the world around you. In addition, meditation and other mindfulness practices help you connect with your senses and live in the present moment.
Taking care of yourself physically and mentally isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength. Blind people have to be very mindful of their health and well-being because they can’t always see what’s happening in their bodies. Similarly, blind people often experience high levels of stress because they have to rely on others for help often. Taking care of yourself will help you better deal with stress.
Conclusion
When it comes to seeing the world, everyone is limited by their own set of experiences, beliefs, and circumstances. That’s why the insight from those who see things from a different perspective can be beneficial.
If you are fortunate enough to have a Zoom colleague who has partial or complete vision loss, use this opportunity to learn about their life and their struggles. In fact, there are many lessons that blind individuals can teach you about living a better life. These tips will help you understand how someone with less sight than you can lead a more fulfilling existence than you at this moment.
