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A Balanced Journey

A journey through our Nation's Western National parks, forests, and monuments to promote balance and beauty with outdoor exposure and Slacklining as a metaphor.

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A Balanced Journey

A Balanced Journey

A Balanced Journey

A Balanced Journey

A Balanced Journey

A journey through our Nation's Western National parks, forests, and monuments to promote balance and beauty with outdoor exposure and Slacklining as a metaphor.

A journey through our Nation's Western National parks, forests, and monuments to promote balance and beauty with outdoor exposure and Slacklining as a metaphor.

A journey through our Nation's Western National parks, forests, and monuments to promote balance and beauty with outdoor exposure and Slacklining as a metaphor.

A journey through our Nation's Western National parks, forests, and monuments to promote balance and beauty with outdoor exposure and Slacklining as a metaphor.

Shelby Matussak
Shelby Matussak
Shelby Matussak
Shelby Matussak
1 Campaign |
Fayetteville, United States
$440 USD 12 backers
8% of $5,350 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.

                   - Thomas Merton


Me 

Hello Friends! My name is Shelby Matussak. I just want to laugh, love, and make good art. I believe myself to be a Passionate and Creative individual. There are many things I am passionate about and these passions have a direct relation to my existence and it's fulfillment. Most of my passions are related to creative expressions. There is a sublime essence to an individual's freedom in natural creativity. The reward for such expression is one of great self accomplishment and often actualization.  Most of my passions also involve the outdoors and all it's delights. I achieve an incredible insurmountable amount of bliss through Nature's unsurpassed beauty and offerings. Being in touch with my natural planet physically and emotionally reciprocates an internal euphoria that allows me to enjoy my existence more fully and peacefully. I believe that all can share such ideals through Nature and it's rewards. 

Over the past two years one of the most influential activities has been Slacklining and all the fruitful lessons it has taught me. Slacklining exudes some very simple concepts that are easily relatable to life. What exactly is slacklining?  A slackline is a one inch piece of webbing stretched between two points with which one balances upon, walks, and poses. It takes an indescribable amount of focus and effort.  When on the line there is a complete disconnect with everything and at the same time just the opposite. The movement of the line, the movement of your body, and of your mind are all centering and simplifying. One empties their mind and becomes a fluid force with one's environment. It's about balance, breathing, and centering. It's meditative, physical, reflective, and connective. Here are some links that might help explain. 

A news piece on Highlining in Moab, UT

Slackline Yoga, Centering, Relaxing, Peace.

Some Highlining at Smith Rock 

Skyliners

Slacklining has taught me how slow down in life and become centered with my environment. It has showed me patience, balance, discipline, and peace. There's something special about being encompassed with practice in something so pure and beautiful such as slacklining while being surrounded by something so pure and beautiful such as Nature. 

My Campaign

I wish to journey across the West from Arkansas to the coast and back stopping at as many National Forests, Parks, and Monuments along the way. Throughout this journey I hope to spread exposure and knowledge about slacklining and it's valuable lessons to as many individuals as possible. I hope to influence others to find more simplicity, balance, peace, and grounding in their lives through slacklining and Nature as the most efficient tools. I hope to expose others and myself to the Natural beauties our phenomenal Nation has to offer and learn as many lessons as possible.  I have been searching for a journey as such for my whole life and now is probably the best time for me to accomplish it. I hope to come out of this experience with a greater value and understanding for life.

The best and safest thing is to keep balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man.
- Euripides

I graduated with a BA in 2010 and have since then waded about in various conquests for money to pay off the debt my education has supplied me and at the same time be as satisfied with my existence as possible. It has been really hard balancing the two. I will be saving as much as possible between now and March 2014 to cover the following monthly expenses:

  • $230   Student debt repayment
  • $150   Insurance 
  • $80     Connection to outside world (phone bill)
       $500ish total

All the actual costs of the trip is what I'm trying to raise. That's why I'm asking my family and friends to help me achieve this life goal. All funds raised will be going towards my trip. Meaning, I will go as far the contributions will allow. The bulk of this cost being gas with which to carry me about. The other main cost will be food. Beyond that I will be camping mostly and calling on the aid of good people for other sleeping arrangements. 

In return I've designed some fun perks! They're over there in the sidebar --------->

I am requesting your address for these perks primarily for the opportunity to possibly send you some sort physical gratitude at some point. 

Help me spread knowledge and understanding through simplicity. Help me teach others to be more in touch with their environment, with themselves. Help me spread importance of centering, grounding, and reflective/meditative peace. Help me experience a journey of a lifetime. Help me learn more about myself. Help me experience the Natural beauties this Nation has to offer while at the same time aiding others in sharing the experience. I understand if you can't contribute financially (hence the campaign). But, simply sharing my goal with others could also be a big help. Indiegogo is good with helping you share. 

We all are driven towards such goals and lessons. Now's my time. Thanks for your time and donations. Love you. Shelby

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Choose your Perk

Shameless Gratitude

$5 USD
Thank you! When I see you I'm gonna give you a big hug/high five combo in appreciation. If I wont see you than I will hopefully be able to send gratification digitally via the interwebs! Love you!
Estimated Shipping
February 2014
2 claimed

A Little Art

$15 USD
Thanks! You will receive a personal, quick, one-of-a-kind sketch, digital drawing, or short poem custom to you. This will probably be sent to you digitally.Please don't expect the highest quality of work here. I'm just a man. Love you!
Estimated Shipping
February 2014
5 claimed

Message in a Massage

$25 USD
You have one delicious massage coming your way my friend! I believe the human connection is a truly remarkable thing. Touch and intimacy are critical to my being and philosophy. I wish to rub some love right into you! Get the oils out and put on Vandross cause you gonna feel goooood! If we can't meet up for this occasion we will have to work something else out. This perk can be cashed-in at the soonest agreed upon time. Thanks. Love you!
Estimated Shipping
February 2014
0 claimed

A Culinary Contribution

$50 USD
Thank you very much! I would love to make you a meal! I'm a whiz at breakfast but, I can prepare a meal for anytime of the day. This perk is for the labor/company only and is sans meal cost (sorry). If we cannot meet up for the food-tivity than I will write and send you a personal Shelby recipe for a dish in a specific meal genre/category. This perk can be cashed-in at the soonest agreed upon time. Love you!
Estimated Shipping
February 2014
0 claimed

A lot of Art

$100 USD
You will receive one custom piece of art straight from my genuine efforts. This could be a highly valued (personally) piece that I've already created or a new personal piece with hard work, time, and effort instilled. Including but, not limited to, a realistic profile sketch, an organic themed abstract, a lamp, a small table, and a pool of other endless possibilities. Can be redeemed at the soonest agreed upon time. Thank you Awesome being! Love you.
Estimated Shipping
February 2014
2 claimed

Mural Proportions

$500 USD
For your generous donation you receive a one-of-a-kind piece. A large mural-style in pen and ink on 2.5' x 6' on vinyl. The pieces have a very organic and somewhat abstract themes displaying an energetic movement of life and death. Each piece underwent at least 20 hrs. of work time. These are not framed and are easily mailed. These pieces are special to me. I hope you enjoy them. This perk can be redeemed at the soonest agreed upon time. Thanks too much. Love you!
Estimated Shipping
February 2014
0 out of 2 of claimed

A Door to Another Existence

$750 USD
You will receive a one-of-a-kind piece of Art. This is also a piece done in pen and ink in a mural fashion with one important difference. The canvas is actually a standard size door panel. This piece saw over 40hrs of work time. The piece shares the themes of the aforementioned vinyl murals above focusing on mostly organic floral/fauna imagery. This piece is also very special to me. This perk can be redeemed at the soonest agreed upon time. Thanks more than can be expressed. Love you!
Estimated Shipping
February 2014
0 out of 1 of claimed

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