Father Leo’s

DIGNITY

“To behave with dignity is nothing less than to allow others freely to be themselves.”

–Sol Chaneles

I believe that ultimately I can only be responsible for me. It is impossible for me to live another person’s life. It is disrespectful to assume the role of decision-maker for another adult human being.  People must have the freedom to grow and be themselves. Dignity is affording people this freedom.

Today I can see how I continued to keep members of my family sick by taking on a responsibility that was not mine. I can see how I was not giving dignity to my family; I was unintentionally withholding dignity from those I loved. People, especially family members, must be given the freedom to express their hurts. They have a responsibility to deal with their pain — because it is theirs!

I pray that I may give to others the dignity I desire in my own life. 

Father Leo’s - May 8 2026

HONESTY

“Where is there dignity unless there is honesty?”

–Marcus Cicero

The cornerstone of my life today is honesty. It is the quality I most desire
in my life because I believe that with honesty comes a knowledge of God,
self and relationships. It is the key to my recovery from addiction. It is
the key to the meaning of spirituality. Honesty affords me hope for
tomorrow.

As an alcoholic I was a dishonest man. I was not just dishonest because
I told lies and manipulated the truth, I was dishonest because I refused
to risk the journey into self. My dishonesty was not about what I said but
what I did not say! Not so much about what I did but what I did not do.
My dishonesty stopped me from discovering my God-given dignity.

Today I risk the journey into self and I am discovering more about God
“as I understand Him”. My level of honesty helps me to be happy and
relaxed with who I am today.

“Be still and know that I am God.” In the silence of self-honesty may I know myself.

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrec #Recovery

DIGNITY

“To behave with dignity is nothing less than to allow others freely to be themselves.”
–Sol Chaneles

I believe that ultimately I can only be responsible for me. It is impossible for me to live another person’s life. It is disrespectful to assume the role of decision-maker for another adult human being.  People must have the freedom to grow and be themselves. Dignity is affording people this freedom.

Today I can see how I continued to keep members of my family sick by taking on a responsibility that was not mine. I can see how I was not giving dignity to my family; I was unintentionally withholding dignity from those I loved. People, especially family members, must be given the freedom to express their hurts. They have a responsibility to deal with their pain — because it is theirs!

I pray that I may give to others the dignity I desire in my own life. 

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A WOMAN’S SPIRIT #essentialsofrecovery

As I recover, I am learning to detach with love and mind my own business with dignity.

~ Kathy Kendall ~

Very few situations actually need our input. On most occasions we can contribute most by observing or listening. Although controlling how others live and think may still appeal to us, we are learning from our friends and sponsors the wisdom of detachment and the necessity for boundaries between ourselves and others.

Our desire to “help” friends make decisions may be rooted in love: we don’t want to see our friends get hurt by making wrong choices. But the wisdom of the program tells us that we hurt our friends more by doing for them what they need to do for themselves. While this may be hard to believe at first, we can learn to trust that it is true.

It is enough to live our own lives thoughtfully. We have been given a second chance through getting clean and sober. Now it’s time to give our lives all of our attention. Let’s free other people to do the same.

I have enough to do just to live my life today. I can show my love for others best if I let them live their lives too.

© 1994 by Hazelden Foundation

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Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrecovery

DIGNITY


“To behave with dignity is nothing less than to allow others freely to be themselves.”

–Sol Chaneles

I believe that ultimately I can only be responsible for me. It is impossible for me to live another person’s life. It is disrespectful to assume the role of decision-maker for another adult human being. People must have the freedom to grow and be themselves. Dignity is affording people this freedom.

Today I can see how I continued to keep members of my family sick by taking on a responsibility that was not mine. I can see how I was not giving dignity to my family; I was unintentionally withholding dignity from those I loved. People, especially family members, must be given the freedom to express their hurts. They have a responsibility to deal with their pain — because it is theirs!

I pray that I may give to others the dignity I desire in my own life.

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A DAY AT A TIME #essentialsofrecovery

Reflection for the Day

I can attain real dignity, importance, and individuality only by a dependence on a Power which is great and good, beyond anything I can imagine or understand. I will try my utmost to use this power in making all my decisions. Even though my human mind cannot forecast what the outcome will be, I will try to be confident that whatever comes will be for my ultimate good. Just for today, will I try to live this day only, and not tackle my whole life problem at once?

Today I Pray

May I make no decision, engineer no change in the course of my lifestream, without calling upon my Higher Power. May I have faith that God’s plan for me is better than any scheme I could devise for myself.

Today I Will Remember

God is the architect. I am the builder.

© 1989 by Hazelden Foundation 

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Today’s Gift from Hazelden #essentialsofrec #Dignity #Respect #Recovery

31
August


Differences
. . . with no hidden cutting edge.

The respect and dignity a couple shows each other set the table from which they are nourished for all other activities in their lives. Any feeling can be expressed in respectful or disrespectful ways. Anger is one of the most difficult to express respectfully. Everyone feels frustrated and angry at times. The crucial thing to learn is how to be angry and still be respectful – how to deal with our impatience without blame or put-downs. Many of us have to learn how to love without being possessive, how to be playful in a lighthearted way with no hidden cutting edge. When we treat our partner with disrespect, we pour poison into our own well. It may feel satisfying at first, but the long-term consequences are not good to live with.

When we are committed to respect in our relationship, we continue to learn at even deeper levels what respect truly means. We find that simply listening to each other – and letting in our differences – is a form of respect that nourishes us.

Name a difference between you and your mate that you respect.

From the book:

The More We Find In Each Other by Merle Fossum and Mavis Fossum

The More We Find in Each Other by Merle Fossum and Mavis Fossum. © 1992 by Hazelden Foundation

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

13
July 

DIGNITY


“To behave with dignity is nothing less than to allow others freely to be themselves.”

–Sol Chaneles

I believe that ultimately I can only be responsible for me. It is impossible for me to live another person’s life. It is disrespectful to assume the role of decision-maker for another adult human being. People must have the freedom to grow and be themselves. Dignity is affording people this freedom.

Today I can see how I continued to keep members of my family sick by taking on a responsibility that was not mine. I can see how I was not giving dignity to my family; I was unintentionally withholding dignity from those I loved. People, especially family members, must be given the freedom to express their hurts. They have a responsibility to deal with their pain — because it is theirs!

I pray that I may give to others the dignity I desire in my own life.

Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrec