Instead of changing who we are depending on outside circumstances, let's commit to being a certain way no-matter-what. Your response in any situation would be consistent with who you are rather than dependent on the whim of those around you. We don't so much "discover ourselves," we create who we are, so choose wisely.

This might just be the way for us to avoid judgment, segregation, and discrimination by making everyone instantly more relatable. If you find value in the ad-free Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast, Facebook page, public events, books, and programs, please consider showing your support at BuddhistBootCamp.com/support Thank you for being a Soldier of Peace in the Army of Love.

I don't meditate to control my thoughts, I meditate so my thoughts don't control me. Visit https://BuddhistBootCamp.com for more information, and if you find value in these commercial-free Podcast episodes, please show your support at BuddhistBootCamp.com/support Thank you for being a Soldier of Peace in the Army of Love.

Are we robbing ourselves of contentment by chasing happiness?

We must stop undermining our ability to be generous by overlooking the fact that generosity doesn't have to be monetary.

The lifetime we are given (the good times, the terrible, and all the time in between), is a gift from a mysterious stranger. And the natural response to receiving a gift is gratitude, not a sense of entitlement.

Why do you do what you do? What are you trying to accomplish? Are your actions fueled by the ego? I ask myself these questions all the time to make sure I don't get into the habit of letting my ego run the show. What motivates YOUR actions?

If you find value in this Podcast episode or my online posts, monthly emails, the books, or local events, please show your support at BuddhistBootCamp.com/support

Thank you for being a Soldier of Peace in the Army of Love.

Would your life choices be different if you were to set a single intention to motivate all of your actions? What's your intention?

Every experience triggers an emotion in us and we then make judgments, decisions, and act out of that emotion, unreliable and variable as it may be. Could the labels that offered us comfort and clarity at one time in our lives later cause our segregation and discomfort? The question to ask yourself is if your narrative is working for you or against you. If you find value in these commercial-free Podcast episodes or my online posts, monthly emails, the books or local events, please show your support at BuddhistBootCamp.com/support Thank you for being a Soldier of Peace in the Army of Love.

Distinguish between healthy and unhealthy guilt. As my brother says, "Most of what weighs you down isn't even yours to carry." If you find value in these Podcast episodes, please show your support at BuddhistBootCamp.com/support These podcasts are available commercial-free thanks to listeners just like you who show their support. Thank you for being Soldiers of Peace in the Army of Love.