Brain Matter On Paper By Shawn Williams

Introduction

The purpose of this project to me is that it reinforces your writing style and writing skills. I feel it was a good project to do,because it opened my eyes and introduced to me different ways of communication,that I know but never really recognized as communication.

Thinking In Writing

What my thoughts consisted of the most was my car and driving,then came my religion and last was my social life. Maybe the reason I thought so much about my car is because right now it’s not running right. My Wife drives it to and from work,so on the days I don’t have to go to school or work,I drive her to work and I run errands or just drive and enjoy myself. From the time I walked to the masjid at six in the morning and was coming back all I kept thinking about was getting my car fixed. Because I know I had to take public transportation,but I could be driving. Like one of my thoughts were “I hate having to take this bus.” Even when I was walking my step son to school all I was thinking about was getting the car fixed.
The second thing that occupied my thoughts the most was my Lord and doing the things that would please Him and getting Blessed for it. You see I was not always such a good guy. One time in my life I was the epitome of a bad guy. But not to degrees,the life I live now is based on my remembrance,love and fear for Alláh. That’s why when I took public transportation and I seen a homeless person it does something to my heart,because I know and believe that the only difference between me and him is Alláh’s Mercy.
The least thing that occupied my mind is my Wife and I feel I need to change that. But I feel subconsciously she’s always on my mind,but due to the situation of my car and the meeting I had today she just seemed the least.

Thinking Visual

https://flic.kr/s/aHsk8ArZtd

First Pic.My video games is one of the least things I think about because,at one point I was addicted to gaming. At work all I would do is just daydream about finishing a level and rush home to play. But not anymore.

Second Pic. I’ve always love to drive. I’m a “speed demon.” I taught myself how to drive just by watching my Uncle drive his car. At the age of twelve I rented a van from a drug user and drove all day. Ever since then I’ve been driving.

Third Pic. I have a big family,but it doesn’t feel like it. When I went away to prison I can count on one hand how many people I received a letter from and half of them were family. So I’ve come to accept,love and embrace that my family consist of the three  people you see in this picture with me.

Fourth Pic. I love cars for many different reasons. The convenience I would have to say stands out the most. There’s nothing like being able to go somewhere to eat or just enjoy myself,and once I’m finished I’m able to hop in my car and leave. That’s priceless for me.

Fifth Pic. The thing that is most on my mind is making my five prayers. What I’ve experienced throughout my life is that when my five is in order everything is easier and I’m happy. But when I don’t make them a lot of things go awry.

Sixth Pic. My Wife is one of the least things I think about because I feel she’s such a major component in my life. I guess I’ve started to take her for granted. When you feel something will always be there,you tend to subconsciously think and act like it.

 Thinking Reflectively 

My name is Shawn Elijah Williams. I am very ambitious. I like to cook, drive and eat. I have some advice for my present self-five years from now. I want you to constantly keep Allah, on your mind and tongue. I know you like to drive and you like fast cars, but you should focus more on your school. Do not just get by, but excel, and the easier it will be in the future to demand and acquire what you want. You need a good partner by your side. Someone who has your back, someone who can make you better as well as you making them better. If you do not start thinking about your wife more, and stop taking her for granted, you will eventually lose her. I am happy you understand the value of family, because down the line there will be a limited amount of people you can depend on.

Perseverance is a major thing in life. In the past I have given up when things got hard. I would revert back to the easy things I knew which were always negative. It is very important to persevere when things get tough. When I did stick things out, although they were very minuscule, I always achieved what I wanted. The things I want to achieve in life for the future are; cars, a nice house, a lot of money and a righteous life. Perseverance, determination, patience and hard work, with my education now and my businesses later, will be the aspects I need to succeed. These qualities will benefit me now and later. In one of my thought logs” I said I have come a long way and I changed a lot”. I made this statement because I was faced with a situation, where if I did not persevere in life to control my anger, and to change how I deal with circumstances I do not like, I would have handled it differently in a bad way.

Shawn you are going to need patience and a lot of it. Things are not going to always go the way you want them. You learned this during your childhood and more so in prison. The difference between prison and childhood is that in prison it was forced on you to be patient, and if you did not, you either acted out physically or verbally and you were punished for it. Whereas in childhood if you showed displeasure physically or verbally sometimes you were able to persuade enough to get your way or it was a mild admonishment.

You know in business there are many ups and downs, and this is where patience will help you achieve your goals. One of the pictures in the “Visual Communication” is of the masjid where I pray. It takes patience to pray five times a day, then to travel to a place to do it.  At certain times I am engrossed in an activity I like, and it is hard for me to stop that and go pray. That is Patience. Patience comes in different ways. Patience can be shown in studying for a test. Patience can be shown with being faithful in a relationship. When you are used to living a lifestyle of promiscuousness and you are constantly bombarded with the very thing that entices you to cheat. If you stay patient now, you will have success later.

The next thing you will need is determination. It is a quality that makes you continue trying to do or achieve something that is difficult. Shawn you heard the stories of how hard it is to start and then to maintain a successful business. First you have to be determined to acquire the degree from college. Once you do that, you have to be determined to draw a business plan, execute it and no matter how many setbacks do not give up.

After reading from my future self. The ways I am going to accomplish these goals are praying more for, perseverance, patience, and determination. I am going to work harder in school right now, by studying more even when I do not want to. Spending more time on my school work instead of playing video games or just relaxing around the house on the weekend because I feel I deserve it. There are a couple of business ideas that I have. I am going to apply these to a real business plan. I appreciate the advice, now it is up to me to internalize and apply it.