Welcome to the Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast. Our intention is to awaken, enlighten, enrich, and inspire a simple and uncomplicated life. Discover the benefits of mindful living with your host, Timber Hawkeye.

Of the many essays I have published over the years, few have ever upset as many people as this one.

As soon as I shared it, my inbox was flooded with furious messages from people angrily withdrawing their support of my work,

claiming there is such a thing as too much acceptance, tolerance, and compassion.

And this apparently is where they draw the line.

It surprised me because the message is all about kindness, patience, gentleness, growth, and open-mindedness, so I didn't think recording it would require a disclaimer, but here it goes.

We do not need to agree on everything. It would actually surprise me if we do.

The intention behind my reflections is to

provide food for contemplation, inviting you to think without telling you what to

think. If it gives you pause for better or worse, then I'm doing my job. If you agree, then, for better or worse, then I'm doing my job.

If you agree, then wear it, so to speak, and if you disagree, then skip it.

At no point is it necessary to attack, so I'm glad the feedback wasn't all negative. A few people have expressed their gratitude

for openly discussing a matter that intimately hits home for them. And you know me,

if one person in the world feels less alone and more loved and accepted because of our discussions, then I stand by my work.

If I say something that is offensive, then by all means call me out on it, please.

But just because we may be in disagreement about a few topics does not make us enemies.

Perhaps that is part of the learning curve as well.

Thank you for keeping an open heart and mind.

I've had my driver's license for 30 years, but I wrote this while on a book tour around New Zealand and Australia,

where for a couple of months I was driving on the opposite side of the road. I constantly

had to remind myself to keep left because I'm so accustomed to driving on the

other side. Every time I wanted to signal that I was about to change lanes or make a turn, I ended up flipping

...