Introduction
Embarking on a career in the creative field can often be met with skepticism, both from oneself and from the society at large. The reaction many receive echoes a parental pride in more traditional professions—those deemed ‘safe’ and economically sound. Yet the creative journey, fraught with uncertainty and judgment, holds within it profound discoveries both personal and universal. Recently, a transformative encounter with a blind masseuse in Kuala Lumpur illuminated this lesson for me in unexpected ways.
The Layover that Became a Journey
Several years ago, I found myself with a long layover in Kuala Lumpur's airport. Restless and tense, I decided a massage would be the perfect remedy. A quick Google search later, I found myself stepping out of the airport into the heart of the city, making my way toward the nearest massage parlor.
The scene that greeted me was far from the calming oasis I had imagined. The establishment appeared run-down, adorned with decrepit walls and dim lighting. Navigating a narrow hallway, I hesitantly entered a room, only to be greeted by an elderly man who seemed to be yelling at me in Chinese. As I motored past my initial reservations, I was ushered into a room with a masseuse who embodied anything but what I anticipated.
Surrendering to Trust
The masseuse was an old man, hunched over a wooden stool, attired in a straightforward outfit of a white shirt and shorts, with aviator sunglasses obscuring his eyes. He commanded me to strip down and wrap a towel around myself—a suggestion that initially left me reeling in discomfort.
"Do you want it soft or strong?" he asked, without flinching.
“Strong,” I replied, committing to the journey of trust.
What followed was an experience that defied expectations. His hands moved with a precision and understanding that transcended vision, tracing the contours of my body with an intuition that verged on magical. This wasn't merely physical touch; it was an interaction that seemed to touch my very essence. As he worked, I began to notice a transformation, not just physically, but cognitively.
The Unexpected Educator
As my muscles relaxed, my attention was drawn to a hand-painted quote on the wall: “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” At that moment, the realization dawned on me—my masseuse was blind.
His profound connection to the world around him wasn't reliant on sight, but rather on an expansive spectrum of senses and sensitivities. As a photographer, the realization was exceedingly humbling. Here I was, someone whose life and livelihood was predicated on the ability to ‘see,’ and yet in this dim, unassuming room, I found my vision broadened beyond the confines of my own eyes.
Beyond the Visual: Cultivating Presence
This epiphany fundamentally reshaped my approach to photography. Rather than seeking out picturesque vistas and meticulously staged portraits, I began focusing on the subtle nuances of everyday life. The soft ebb and flow of light in overlooked corners, the stories hidden in everyday objects, and the poetry found in inconspicuous details motivated my work.
From Inspiration to Action
Embracing this new approach was not without its challenges. For a long time, my skill level was not commensurate with the vision I hoped to capture. There was a gap—between what I aspired to create and what I could actually produce. The turning point came in the form of the “Dailies,” a project demanding a photo every day for four years, shared via social media.
Initially, my tendency for perfectionism proved to be a formidable adversary. I agonized over each detail, delaying projects until inspiration waned, ultimately leading to a number of unfinished endeavors. This cycle—what many describe as analysis paralysis—had preemptively ended what could have been meaningful creative pursuits.
However, the urge to transcend this destructive perfectionism prompted me to revisit the Dailies challenge, this time with unwavering dedication and resolve. A deadline each day liberated me from the oppressive need for flawless execution. It wasn't about creating unblemished masterpieces; it was about showing up.
Cultivating Mastery Through Quantity
Richard Bell and David Orleans articulate in their book Art and Fear a learning that resonated deeply within me. In the book, they recount a tale of a ceramics professor who divided his class into two groups: one graded on the quantity of work produced, and the other on the quality of a single piece. Interestingly, the finest works emerged from the quantity group.
Failing, adjusting, experimenting, refining—these were the byproducts of consistent practice, fostering not only skill but also ingenuity. It hammered home an invaluable lesson: Perfection is not the culmination of an isolated incident but the result of continuous evolution.
A Blind Man's Gift of Sight
Leaving Kuala Lumpur, I was filled with newfound appreciation. In my rush through the airport, details long overshadowed by the scatter of perpetual movement jumped vividly into focus. The small burn scars on the chef’s forearms, the dance of golden light upon still surfaces, once overlooked subtleties, now recounted their silent narratives, each moment imbued with a distinct beauty.
The blind masseuse had offered me a gift—a renewed perspective within which creativity can thrive unencumbered by mere visual aesthetics. The daily exercise of capturing life reshaped my understanding of sight. It was no longer exclusive to grand landscapes or perfect postcards; it was rooted in the act of noticing and appreciating the world as it unfolded.
Conclusion
To many, a simple gesture from a blind man might seem trivial. Yet, in that small exchange lay profound insight into the artistry of living—to see isn't simply to perceive visually, but to engage wholly with the essence of things. This awareness transcends professional focus; it can enrich any endeavor, from photography to everyday conversations.
The lesson is as poignant as it is simple, echoing in the humble words of Confucius: "Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” In our fast-paced quest for perfection, let us remember to acknowledge the profound in the simple, the grace in the mundane, and above all, embrace the continuous journey of discovery that life offers.
LIFE LESSONS, DAILY PRACTICE, INSPIRATION, JOURNEY, PERFECTIONISM, CREATIVITY, LEARNING, PHOTOGRAPHY, YOUTUBE, VISION