Many of us feel like our lives the last couple of years have been put on pause, and we’ve found ourselves stuck in a cycle of looking ahead and trying to move forward. Often, we forget to slow down and enjoy where we are. Fears that plague our everyday routines – lingering worries about COVID-19, fear of unemployment in the recession and an ever-worrisome news cycle – play a huge part in our inability to appreciate the present. 

In his new book, Authentic Living in All Seasons: Focused, Fearless, and Balanced (CrossLink Publishing, June 7, 2022), award-winning author Walt Shelton, one of the most read faith columnists in Texas, shows readers how to find happiness while enjoying today. Shelton highlights key aspects of authentic life from a practical and applicable perspective and teaches how to overcome fears that may inhibit us from reaching our greatest potential. 

Shelton emphasizes the importance of intentionality in our daily practices and focuses on attention and awareness. Like in his first book, The Daily Practice of Life: Practical Reflections Toward Meaningful Living, Shelton prioritizes his Christianity as a love-centered, inclusive and just pursuit, and he draws from his life experiences as well as the teachings of Jesus. He welcomes all walks of life to his readings and insights as he explores overcoming challenges and the strategies we can implement to approach our struggles.

“We’re all on a path to greater things,” says Shelton “but often we’re bombarded by distractions. Taking time to slow down and move step by step helps increase our awareness and gratitude, and I hope that Authentic Living in All Seasons helps readers find practices that do just that.”

Shelton brings awareness to the modern problems that impact our ability to live mindfully and highlights key aspects for staying present, including:

• Focusing on the moment with attention and awareness

• Dealing with fear without letting it prevent us from living intentionally

• Identifying, refining, balancing and living out our priorities

Nicole Villalpando, long-time Faith Editor of the Austin American-Statesman says Shelton “uses his gift of teaching in Authentic Living in All Seasons to provide readers with a guide to living a meaningful life through vulnerable personal stories, authentic self-reflection and thoughtful discussion on the teachings of Jesus.” 

Reviews

Walt is the person I think of when naming a “model” human being. He truly does walk the walk and it inevitably influences all of those around him. Authentic Living in All Seasons is no different. Walt takes you through the “why” of authentic and principled living, and then provides short perspectives on how we can apply it to our daily lives. Every time I open one of Walt Shelton’s works, I know I am going to be motivated to view life in a more positive and directed manner. Walt also doesn’t leave anyone out. While Walt is open about his Christian faith, his books are not limited to a Christian audience. With Walt’s inclusivity, he encourages all of us to be more open-minded, community-based, and to realize that “God’s plan” is really just one and the same for us all. — Zoë Fedde, Associate Attorney, Merritt Law Houston, Texas Baylor Law School Class of 2021, Former law student, research assistant, (and now) friend

I have known Walt Shelton since my high school years as a friend. Now I get to know him as an author! Walt’s first book, The Daily Practice of Life: Practical Reflections Toward Meaningful Living, is an insightful and meaningful guide to important and relevant topics that are part of daily living. In this his second book, Authentic Living in All Seasons: Focused, Fearless, and Balanced, Walt continues to lead readers to think deeply about the choices we make as we walk the paths of our lives. Walt introduces new and important topics. He encourages and challenges me and all of us to think about our respective personal journeys in clear, concise, and meaningful prose. Mindfulness, fear, personal change, and balance are just a few of the subjects that he guides the reader to embrace with a combination of seriousness, humor, clarity, and sincerity. — Mary Lu Breshears, Tucson, AZ, Participant in Walt’s Spring 2021 six-week virtual program: “Cultural Transformation: An Open Discussion of Respect, Inclusiveness, Racial Harmony, and the Pursuit of Justice” Long-time friend of Walt

It is rare to find a book that genuinely feels as though it is meant for everyone. Authentic Living in All Seasons is among those rarities. Like Walt himself, the book embraces readers from all walks of life. Though the book is centered around the Christian faith, it certainly does not exclude a non-Christian audience. Instead, the book encourages a sense of community and oneness among its readers. It advocates for positivity with purpose and provides a refreshing perspective on daily living. Additionally, the style and tone of the writing bring a sense of warmth to the reader that is unique to Walt Shelton’s work. Walt’s passion for life and love of humanity is clear from the first few pages. Walt Shelton himself is an inspiration, and his work is no exception. — McKenzie Speich, Alamo Attorney General, Land Office (Austin, Texas), Former law student and now friend

I met Walt Shelton when he taught me at Baylor Law School. Since the moment I met him, he has been a wellspring of wisdom, knowledge, and virtue. I am proud to have said that I took as many classes with him as I could. I am prouder now of the privilege to call him a friend.

I am as much a student of his now as I was in law school because of these profound books he has created. His first book, The Daily Practice of Life: Practical Reflections Toward Meaningful Living, struck a real chord for me, and I only read it in law school. However, in the “real world,” the legal profession can be fraught with spiritual onslaught to the point where many lawyers feel completely spiritually bankrupt. There is a dearth of guided spiritual nourishment for the legal community, and it truly shows. Authentic Living in All Seasons brings us some necessary reflection and guidance for a profession that is expected to have all the answers to peoples’ problems. And it points the finger at something that every lawyer and other person has control over: themselves. The need for introspection and personal inventory that Walt’s Part I calls for from the get-go is echoed in his first book in some respects, but it now calls for a more nuanced journey toward spiritual self-care. — Wyatt E. Fraga, Associate Attorney―Anderson, Smith, Null & Stofer, LLP Victoria, TX, Baylor Law School―Class of 2021, Former law student and now friend

In my experience, Walt Shelton embodies the highest of character traits. I appreciate his insights on living a life of authenticity and meaning because Walt knows how easy it is to lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Despite this, he has continuously reexamined what is meaningful in life. In Authentic Living in All Seasons, Walt has refined his part-parable, part-autobiographical style of writing to extend a hand to the reader and say, I know the path of life is hard, but maybe my story can help you in yours. No matter who you are, where you are from, or what you believe, Walt’s words break through all the divides to envision a life of love, kindness, compassion, and care for everyone. — Brock Lewis, Houston, Texas, Associate Attorney, Baylor Law School Class of 2021, Former law student, research assistant, and now friend

God absolutely uses Walt Shelton as a vessel for His teachings. Walt’s first book, The Daily Practice of Life, is a moving account of Walt’s life experiences and perspectives on incorporating faith-based principles into a daily routine. My husband and I both read The Daily Practice of Life like a devotional and had many thought-provoking discussions regarding its contents. Walt’s latest book, Authentic Living in All Seasons, is so deeply personal and relatable that it makes you feel seen and understood. But perhaps most importantly, his book is soul inspiring in such a way that it evokes a call to action to be the best versions of ourselves. The book takes on a wide range of complicated topics―from inclusiveness and social justice to suffering, to name a few―and provides a subtle yet dynamic, biblical perspective for evaluating these topics. The book provides a much-needed solution-oriented focus, a refreshing approach in a world that seems to often dwell on the negative. Walt points to an abundance of Scripture to illustrate just how beautiful the day-to-day bustle of life is and shows that even the “little things” we do for others can have an impact. Authentic Living in All Seasons is the perfect book for those that want a deep and reflective study of faith and meaningful living. — Kristen Fancher, Attorney/Owner of Fancher Legal, PLLC Prosper, Texas, Colleague and friend of Walt Shelton, Co-Chair of the Law School Programs Committee of the State Bar of Texas, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section with Walt Shelton

In Authentic Living in All Seasons, Walt’s own lifestyle is evident as he considers what it means to live, in a practical sense, and he encourages his readers to do the same. Walt’s emphasis on justice as a crucial part of our expression of our faith, and his model of principled, qualitative, and mindful living is essential for all Christians. Additionally, his practical and systematic approach makes authentic living feel not only attainable, but also imperative for the life of both individual Christians and the church at large. — Masyn Evans-Clements, Austin, Texas, Minister for Youth and Outreach, The Church at Highland Park

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Walt Shelton is an award-winning author, with a Nautilus Award in the Religion/Spirituality of Western Thought category, a regular columnist and a noted speaker. The Austin American-Statesman and Progressive Christianity have published several of his columns over the years, and he has been featured in Crosswalk.com, Lonestarliterary.com, Texastechlawreview.com and more. An environmental attorney, he received his J.D from Baylor Law School alongside a bachelor’s in history from the University of Texas and a master’s in religion from Baylor University. Grounded in history and religion degrees, a lifetime of studying the Bible, and reflection on experiences and other traditions, he has led Christian and inter-faith discussion groups for more than thirty years. He lives in Austin, Texas. For more information please visit: www.waltshelton.com.