Shawn Wallin

Moving Through Life

Summer 2018 is officially here and life has been moving along with a steady glide. So many things on my "To-Do" list that my head is up in a spin. Work, Family Life, Band Life... busy boy.

Back to the Blues

Life Update: I've kept it on the down low, but I am officially in a blues band playing with some of the best Twin Cities blues players. I am not only lucky enough for that but I have looked up to these guys as my blues heroes for years and I was asked to join the band.

More to come...

Inspiration

Been a Long Time

 

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."

 

    

My name is Shawn. I have been in a bit of a creative funk lately, but with a refreshed spirit and meditative mind I fully intended to return to the world. Life has thrown some interesting challenges my way in the last few months but instead of feeling down about it I have decided to use these lessons in a positive way.  A part of me wishes I would use my downtime in a creative way but instead I retreat into a quiet mind and go into deep thought mode. Life changing conversations that leave me feeling somewhat focused but certainly inspired to change paths in this journey of life. It is a gift given with age. The ability to stop giving a crap about certain things in life. Things that don’t matter. Things that no longer provide a positive feeling to your purpose in life. To focus on what really matters and stop chasing things that don’t. It is freeing.

 

Early in the year I felt very inspired and had kept up an active social media presence with my Instagram account and Facebook. A few months ago some career changes brought me to a point that I pulled back a bit and withdraw from the world. Lay low. Return to thought and focus. Make changes. Observe more, speak less. When March came around I really wanted to put some effort in to my journey towards minimalism. Minimalism is something that I have been slowly starting to practice over the last year. More on that later. Several blogs and YouTubers recommended a March Minimalism Challenge that involved decluttering one item on day one and then slowly adding up until March 31st when you would have to declutter thirty one items in one day alone. Mathematically challenged, I will leave you to do the math on how may items your would deciliter for the monthly total. Bucking the “norm” I decided to go all in and I removed everything from my cubicle that was not essential. From having a sit-stand workstation with three widescreen monitors playing my favorite Matrix screen saver for working on computer setups. A dual monitor desktop running Windows 10 with an ergonomic wireless keyboard. Plenty of desk real-estate for working on laptops and paperwork.

 

After a few hours of hard work all that remained of my work space included a laptop, phone, desk lamp and a notebook. Cabinets emptied except for a very few essentials. Drawers clean as can be. Filing cabinet cleared. Felt beyond freeing. Freaked out my coworkers. Had to explain myself a few times. Life changes. The world still spins. All in all many, life lessons have been discussed the depths of my mind and I am a changed man. Do what is important. Be yourself. Free yourself.

 

What is really important to me? Peace of mind. Happiness. Creativity. Free of attachment. Moments over consumerism. Life. That matters. Spending the majority of your life doing something that is no longer bringing you passion eventually starts eating at your soul. Which eventually leads to inspiration, creative thinking and the survivor mentality that you are ready to change the world. Even if only internally. Do what is important. Be yourself. Free yourself.

 

Until next time...

Resist the Temptation

 

21-Day Challenge: Day 4

So far I have kept up with my 21-Day Challenge but it has yet to become easy or natural as I am still craving sugar, soda pop and candy. Willpower is everything and I have been very positive throughout this experience. As you can see from today's photo I have had to make little reminders to myself to not give in to temptation. Including our pantry that is filled with all sorts of junk food like potato chips, cookies and soda pop. 

The world is full of temptation and even just attending my daughter's summer program presentation today presented challenges. After the presentation all of the guest were treated to a treat made by the kids, Pudding Mud Cups, complete with pudding, Oreo cookie crumbs and a gummy worm. Sugar Sugar Sugar... not good for my plan. I did try a few spoonfuls but felt so guilty about breaking my plan that I doubled up on my excercise, meditation and reading to redeem my poor judgement.

May tomorrow bring no temptation!