Mindfulness without the Bells and Beads

Acknowledgments

We are born into this world helpless, shaking, and scared, and if we are lucky, we are immediately embraced and comforted by our mothers. From that day forward we can never say we made it to where we are in life without the support of others. It's quite similar with writing a book.

As much as writing may feel like a solo endeavor, the words landing on the page are not our words alone. They are words given us by our parents, siblings, friends, colleagues, teachers, newscasters, podcasters, and by authors of any book we've ever read and filtered through our life experiences. So, in a very real sense, everyone I've ever had a conversation with or whose words I've heard or read has helped make this book a reality. If you fall into this general category, I thank you.

As for specific people, there is one person who must be thanked first: my beloved mother. I would not be the man I am today if you were not the selfless, loving, determined, and resourceful mother you are. You taught me to love, to be compassionate, and to not start fights but to finish them if they were started. Any positive traits in me, such as kindness, generosity, integrity, selflessness, resilience, and perseverance, came from you. Thank you, Mom, for all you've done for me and for just being who you are. This book would not exist without you and your support.

Any negative traits I have, such as cursing, drinking, and wanting to spend an inordinate amount of time in the woods around a campfire, ...