Father Leo’s - May 13 2026

ARGUMENTS

“Argument is the worst sort of conversation.”

–Jonathan Swift

Why did I argue so much? Why do I argue so much? Usually it is because I feel threatened, angry, discounted or I am wrong and I do not want to admit it.

Today I need to remember that discussion is the better path to follow. I need to hear and understand what the other person is saying and from where they are coming. For too long I have argued, fought and produced enemies – today I wish to embrace the spiritual path of serenity and reconciliation. Also, I do not want to hurt anymore.

Arguments hurt me. Arguments hurt others. I should, push and scream but inside afterwards, I hurt. My program today allow my ego to be balanced and restrained. I try to think before I speak. I consider before I react. However, when I do get into arguments and say hurtful and painful things that I do not mean, I am brave enough to say I am sorry.

May the God of peace, love and acceptance be seen in my

Today’s Gift #essentialsofrec #Quarreling #Sharing

In quarreling about the shadow, we often lose the substance.
—Aesop

There is a fable about a man and his camel who were hired by a wealthy man to get him across the desert. The journey was so hot that they stopped to rest one day, and the only shade to be found was in the shadow of the camel. The two of them began to argue about who had the rights to the camel’s shadow–the owner or the renter. They were so involved in their argument that the camel ran away and they didn’t notice until it was long gone.

Sometimes we get so caught up in being right that we become like these two, fighting over a shadow. Instead of paying attention to our journey and sharing what we have, we let ourselves get distracted. It is more important to notice what we have, to share it as best we can, and continue our journey.

What can I share with another today?

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EASY DOES IT #essentialsofrec #Change #Aggression

BACKING OFF

He has spent all his life letting down baskets into empty wells.

~ Sydney Smith 

We can always resist an argument where there is obviously no chance of either side solving a problem. Taking time to evaluate the situation will save us possible embarrassment and apologies.

We don’t have to be winners in matters that are unimportant to spiritual progress. We have also learned there is no disgrace in changing directions when one way won’t work.

Of course nobody wins by retreating from a confrontation, but aggressiveness is sure to be useless. Sometimes backing off is winning if nothing if nothing is to b gained by confrontation. We can often avoid another blow to the wounded dignity we brought into our Program.

To void what is impossible to win doesn’t make me a quitter.

©1990 by Anonymous. All rights reserved. Published by Hazelden.

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WALK IN DRY PLACES #essentialsofrec #Recovery #Arguments #Serenity

MENTAL ARGUMENTS ARE BAD THINKING

Serenity

Again and again we hear that bad thinking and drinking are linked together. Bad thinking is any line of thought that tends to be destructive. Mental arguments are in that class because they destroy peace of mind and self-control. We can avoid them by learning acceptance and maintaining serenity at all costs.

Sometimes we engage in mental arguments with those who seem to have defeated us or put us down. This only gives more life to the hurt we have been feeling; in effect, we cooperate in hurting ourselves repeatedly. Even the satisfaction of letting ourselves “win” the mental argument doesn’t really settle the matter.

We can maintain our serenity in all situations by accepting people as they are. We are not responsible for changing their opinions. We must also accept and dismiss past mistakes and failures, no matter who was at fault. We owe it to ourselves not to destroy another moment’s happiness with futile mental arguments that serve no good purpose in our lives.

Once we dismiss mental arguments, we can give our time and attention to things that really matter.

I will not waste a single second on any kind of mental argument. Anything another person said or did is forgiven and forgotten, and it has no power to hurt me a second time.

© 1996 by Hazelden Foundation

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Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrecovery

ARGUMENTS

“Argument is the worst sort of conversation.”

–Jonathan Swift

Why did I argue so much? Why do I argue so much? Usually it is
because I feel threatened, angry, discounted or I am wrong and I do
not want to admit it.

Today I need to remember that discussion is the better path to follow.
I need to hear and understand what the other person is saying and
from where they are coming. For too long I have argued, fought and
produced enemies – today I wish to embrace the spiritual path of
serenity and reconciliation. Also, I do not want to hurt anymore.
Arguments hurt me. Arguments hurt others. I should, push and scream but
inside afterwards, I hurt. My program today allow my ego to be balanced and
restrained. I try to think before I speak. I consider before I react.
However, when I do get into arguments and say hurtful and painful
things that I do not mean, I am brave enough to say I am sorry.

May the God of peace, love and acceptance be seen in my
relationships. 

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Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

#essentialsofrec #Bible #Quotes #Recovery

 3
August

Do everything without complaining or arguing. ~ Philippians 2:14

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Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrec #Recovery #FrLeo #Arguments

13
May 

ARGUMENTS


“Argument is the worst sort of conversation.”

–Jonathan Swift

Why did I argue so much? Why do I argue so much? Usually it is because I feel threatened, angry, discounted or I am wrong and I do not want to admit it.

Today I need to remember that discussion is the better path to follow. I need to hear and understand what the other person is saying and from where they are coming. For too long I have argued, fought and produced enemies – today I wish to embrace the spiritual path of serenity and reconciliation. Also, I do not want to hurt anymore.

Arguments hurt me. Arguments hurt others. I should, push and scream but inside afterwards, I hurt. My program today allow my ego to be balanced and restrained. I try to think before I speak. I consider before I react. However, when I do get into arguments and say hurtful and painful things that I do not mean, I am brave enough to say I am sorry.

May the God of peace, love and acceptance be seen in my relationships.

Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?