Father Leo’s - 13th Jan 2026

ACCEPTANCE

“Treat the other man’s faith gently; it is all he has to believe with.”

—Henry Hoskins

I said that I was a nonviolent drunk. Today I am able to see that I was sarcastic and verbally violent, and this was no less painful or destructive to the victim. A target for my anger and venom was the faith and beliefs of others, especially when they differed radically from my own. My alcoholism made me a prejudiced and bigoted man, a prisoner of my arrogance.

My sobriety teaches me to be accepting and tolerant of the views and opinions of others. A spirituality that embraces all men—rather than a narrow and restrictive religion—is my prescription for life. I have exchanged bigotry for freedom, and I am happy in God’s world. I pray that my acceptance of my fellow man, regardless of culture or creed, may lead to understanding.

Father Leo’s - 12th Jan 2026

VALUES


“The aim of education is the knowledge not of fact, but of values.”

— Dean William R. Inge

Facts can sometimes confuse. They can be used to hide behind. They can be manipulated into lies. Facts are no substitute for values — human values.

Today I not only value my life but I value life itself. When I walk amongst nature, I taste her purity, observe her beauty, experience her strength — and I know I am a part of it all. Today my values have changed because I see myself as “part of” rather than “separate from”. I belong to this universe, this world, this planet and what I do affects the essential value of life. With my daily respect for self comes a respect for property, people, different cultures and God.

Today the things I truly value I do not pay for; the things I cherish cannot be won or bought. Spirituality is free. Teach me to value the meaning of freedom and the richness of life.

Father Leo’s 11th Jan 2026

 11
January 

PHILOSOPHY


“To teach men how to live without certainty and yet without being paralysed by hesitation is perhaps the chief thing philosophy can do.”

—Bertrand Russell

I suppose the “Twelve Steps” are a practical philosophy of how to live positively with the disease of alcoholism: (a) Don’t drink. (b) Find a God in your life that is understandable. (c) Begin to make positive choices in attitudes and behaviours. (d) Let “never forget” be an essential part of the message.

The miracle of this philosophy is that it reaches out to so many who suffer with addictive compulsions and teaches us how to live with being imperfect. I believe the Twelve Steps are the answer to “The Fall” of man—we are going home to God. Let me see beyond the logic to Your loving energy.

Father Leo’s - 22nd September 2025

HEAVEN


“If you’re not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don’t want to go there.”
– Martin Luther

When I was a practicing alcoholic, I imagined heaven to be a dull formal place, rather like a never-ending cathedral. Beautiful, but serious. My pain and guilt were so great that I rarely laughed, and when I did it was usually inappropriate and violent: I laughed at others!

Today heaven is associated with recovery. It is a place of joy, acceptance and forgiveness. A place where people can be themselves and where variety abounds. Christians play with people from other religions — and the atheists make the music! The laughter of “peace” abounds. I am “at one” with my Father and all my brothers and sisters. I am home!

God of Love, when I hear the sound of laughter here on earth, I think what joy awaits me in heaven. 

STRENGTH

“All cruelty springs from weakness.”

~ A Seneca Saying 

Spiritual recovery means I must confront my disease and remember the sick attitudes and behavior patterns. Sometimes, I would rather not talk about my disease for it can be embarrassing and shameful, particularly the cruelty I demonstrated. Alcoholism made me lash out at the weak. My own weakness inflicted pain and cruelty on others.

Today I remember this only to rejoice in the strength that allows me vulnerability. My past weaknesses made me act as if I were strong. Now my strength allows me to be weak in a way that is healthy.

I get my ego out of the way and open my heart to love. I know my strength is God ordained and shows up in myriad ways.

God, the recognition of my past cruelties enables me to forgive and understand others. 

© 2008 Leo Booth     Why not sign up to get emails with all daily posts included?
Or Follow Us On Twitter #essentialsofrecovery

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrecovery

ART


“Art is not a thing; it is a way.”

– Elbert Hubbard

In the spiritual twelve-step program it talks about “…a God as you understand Him.” This is a liberating concept that teaches us to risk and think “big”. God is not only found in churches, temples and rituals — God can be found in the myriad of art forms. God is always to be found in the creative. Because art is always concerned with life and truth, God is always involved.

Today I am able to look for God in His or Her World.

In my recovery from the disease of addiction I need to discover the wonder and splendor of life that got damaged in my drinking days. Art can help me to feel again. It helps me to think and be concerned again. Art teaches me to be involved in life.

Thank You for the artist — another aspect of priesthood.  

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

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation

DREAMS

“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”

–Thomas Jefferson

I am an optimist. I believe that things are getting better day by day. Today I believe that what happened yesterday need not happen today or tomorrow. Dreams can come true. I know this to be true. Today I have dreams. Today I have a hope for my life and on a daily basis it is coming true. My life is becoming more meaningful. Today my dreams have coincided with God’s dream for me.


Now I love myself enough to speak out for me – and it feels good. Now my decision to embrace the spiritual life is not dependent upon others. Today I can dream to be me.

Help me to dream with my feet firmly on the ground.  

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

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation

SELF-LOVE

“Only a person who can live with himself can enjoy the gift of leisure.”

–Henry Greber

As an addict I could not tolerate my own company for long. I was
forever telephoning somebody, going over to a friend’s house, inviting people in, creating an “occasion” so I did not have to think or, at least, think about myself. Being alone terrified me. I was terrified because I would begin to think about what was happening in my life and I did not want to face it.

Spirituality is reality. Some years ago I decided to encounter the “real” me, painful but necessary. I began to develop an awareness of who I am. Acceptance followed: I am an alcoholic.

Today I know me; today I like me; today I can love me – and this awareness brings with it a knowledge of God, self and my neighbor.

Today I can be alone without feeling lonely. 

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

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrecovery

BOREDOM

“Nothing is interesting if you are not interested.”

— Helen MacInnes

There is a subtle distinction between the “dry” alcoholic and the “sober” alcoholic.  The sober alcoholic chooses not to drink because he has accepted his alcoholism. The “dry” alcoholic is “not drinking” but is invariably angry and resentful — and he is new expressing these feelings. His abstinence is not exciting because he is not interested in it — he is bored.

The “dry” alcoholic is also boring to be around. Why? Because he is bored. His boredom makes him boring. He really wants to drink. He has stopped drinking for reasons that do not include the acceptance of the disease; he is still a victim of the disease.

Sobriety, by contrast, is an adventure into self. It greets the new day with enthusiasm and energy. Sobriety is the spiritual discovery of God in our lives.

Let me always remember that my interests in life reflect my interest in You. 

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

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

18
April 

GOD

“Any God I ever felt in Church I brought in with me. And I think all the other folks did, too. They come to Church to share God, not find God.”

–Alice Walker

God is within us! At one time I would find that statement blasphemous or incomprehensible. I always thought God was a long way off – separate, unknowable and judgmental. He was much more a judge than a friend. I saw myself more the sinner than the son. Naturally, with such a low self-esteem it was hard to associate God with my life, let alone consider God existing within me!

Then I began to search for the spiritual path that leads to a deeper understanding of self – and I found a loving, gentle and friendly God. His love was so pervasive in His world that I was able to discover Him in my life and the lives of others. The concept of meeting together to share God made sense. The concept of discovering a God within and without made God knowable and comprehensible. Because God lives in me, I am alive.

Master, in the breaking of the bread, may I share Your life in my world.

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

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrec #Truth #Honesty #FrLeo

 8
April 

LIES


“It takes a wise man to handle a lie; a fool had better remain honest.”

–Norman Douglas

As a drinking alcoholic I was telling so many lies to cover the lies I had previously told that I got lost in a maze of untruth! Most of the lies were stupid, irrelevant and harmless – but they were all aimed at building up my ego. Making me look good. Telling people I had more. My memory could not keep up with my tongue and I became guilty, ashamed and embarrassed.

Today I need to remember that there is nothing any lie can give me that I need; there is nothing in the world of fabrication that I need; I have what I need.

Today I have a relationship with a God and Friend that I can understand and be vulnerable with; I don’t need to be perfect to be loved.

Help me to seek the good life in those things that are good.

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

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

 6
April 

PRIDE


“Though pride is not a virtue, it is the parent of many virtues.”

–M. C. Collins

I need to remember that “pride” is not necessarily a negative. It is sensible to have a balanced pride in my sobriety because self-esteem will grow from the pride and respect I give to myself. God has made me and is involved with me and, therefore, I am a beautiful person.

Balanced pride helps me with my appearance, grooming and personal etiquette that comes with clothes, fashion and hairstyles. Pride helps me with my communication skills – I work hard at being understood, speaking out clearly and developing better methods of being understood.

Pride stops me from being taken advantage of, enabling me to say “no” to others while still feeling good about myself. A healthy sense of pride is essential for spiritual growth.

Lord, let me have a realistic appreciation of myself that leads to achievement.

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

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrec #Hope #Failure

 5
April
FAILURE


“No man is a failure who is enjoying life.”

–William Feather

Spirituality is fun. I enjoy my sobriety today and I do not take myself too seriously.

For years I thought I was a failure and this “thought” manifested the behavior of a failure. I hid, sulked, was jealous, carried resentments and isolated myself from life – and then blamed the world.

Today because I really understand and accept that I am a child of God, I know that I am not a failure and I have a glorious future in recovery.

Today I have hope. Today I have confidence. Today I am able to accept and forgive. Today I am able to love my neighbor because I love myself.

In my enjoyment of life may I reflect your love for the world.

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

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrec #Recovery

 2
April
PROBLEMS

“The real problem is in the hearts and minds of men.”

–Albert Einstein

We are facing not so much a “drug problem” as a people problem – and this requires a solution from the people. I believe the solution and recovery has already been given by God, but it must be discovered from within. We need to seek out what is truly in our minds and hearts: what are our problems, what are our needs, what do we long for, where are we going in our lives?

Today it is not enough for me to know my problems, I need also to talk about them. Today I choose to express my feelings.

God, I thank You for the creative gift of communication.

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

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

 1
April 

TIME

“I would I could stand on a busy corner, hat in hand, and beg people throw me their wasted hours.”

–Bernard Berenson

I enjoy my sobriety so much that I hate to waste my time. Part of my spiritual program involves a correct use of time. I will not spend time with negative or destructive people. I will not spend time in useless gossip or doing things I do not enjoy to please other people.

I am enjoying life so much I do not wish to waste any of it. Spirituality involves a creative stewardship of time.

As an alcoholic I wasted so much time. For most of my life I was “out to lunch”! Today I spend time enjoying my life – and I spend quality time alone with “self”. I enjoy my little conversations with self – the thoughts I have and need to ponder upon. I need time to rest in the peace of my life. Time is a precious gift from God that should not be wasted.

Lord, let me live each day as if it were my last.

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

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrec #Recovery

30
March 

REASON


“For here we are not afraid to follow wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate error so long as reason is free to combat it.”

— Thomas Jefferson

As an alcoholic I was so often afraid to challenge the thinking and ideas of other people. My “people pleasing” demanded peace at any price. And yet so much of what I heard, read and practiced I did not agree with. Now I see that my behavior, my attitude — along with the alcohol consumption — kept me sick.

In my spiritual program today I am free to reject, consider and have my own opinions in life. I do not simply have to agree with everything that is said, in this way I am discovering my value and self-esteem.

Lord, I am grateful for the freedom to cooperate.

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

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

29
March 

OPINIONS

“Opinions cannot survive if one has no chance to fight for them.”

— Thomas Mann

An opinion is worth fighting for, and I have opinions on a great number of subjects — as a result of sobriety.

Drugs have a tendency to make insane remarks appear brilliant; the drunk is always the unsung poet or victimized genius when he is “in alcohol”. I did not have opinions when I was drinking but rather a series of chaotic and incoherent reactions.

But today I have considered opinions. I am able to think and make decisions. I am able to make a contribution to life and the world in which I live. I am involved.

More than this, today I have the spiritual confidence to fight for what I believe and “speak out” my concerns in love. Today I am alive and I love it — also I love me.

Let me always hear the opinions of others but not fail to express my own.

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

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrec #Self-Love #FrLeo

23
March
SELF-LOVE

“No matter how old you get, if you keep the desire to be creative, you’re keeping the man-child alive.”
— John Cassavetes

When I was a child, I used to play in the sand and make castles. I would build a strong and firm fortress around the castle so that it could withstand the force of the sea.

Today I also like to play in my life and I need to build strong and firm behavioral structures that will withstand pressure and stress. Today I need to build my life on a sure foundation — and that foundation must be me! I need to take care of me so that I can enjoy my life.

How do I take care of me? I watch what I drink. I am a recovering alcoholic, and so I choose not to drink alcohol. I drink soda, orange juice and milk — but no alcohol. This is an important part of my self-love program. I exercise regularly. I watch what I eat and I avoid sugar and needless carbohydrates. I rest in the evenings and take walks in the fresh air. The child that is in me still lives, but today he is healthy.

Help me to treat life responsibly, but not too seriously.

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

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsofrec #recovery #Brotherhood

21
March 

BROTHERHOOD


“I love my country better than my family; but I love humanity better than my country.”— Francois Fenelon

We need to think “big”. We need to escape from those little concepts that keep us small. Life is more than we can ever perceive. We need to see it in its totality. The nuclear family can be restrictive if taken as the center of our loyalty. Even our national citizenship needs to be placed in the context of the world. Our freedom rests in our universal humanity.

Spirituality is about thinking “big”. It is finding God in the richness of His creation. Our insistence on our shared humanity is the path to world peace and serenity. Divisions should not exist for the humanitarian who seeks acceptance for all men simply because they are men.

May I seek to find the One in the many—and the many in the One.

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

Father Leo’s Daily Meditation #essentialsorec #recovery #FrLeo

17
March 

SAINTS


“The saints are the sinners who keep on going.”

—Robert Louis Stevenson

At times I do not want to carry on; I do not want to fight anymore for truth and freedom; it seems so much easier to “give up ” and agree with everybody—but I know, deep inside myself, this is not true.

At times the disease speaks to me and tells me to “give up” and everything will be okay—perhaps have one drink, don’t rush off to so many meetings, get what you can when you can! It all sounds so tempting, but I know that it does not work.

Sobriety works! The struggle and pain to act responsibly in my life is paying off and it does get better. I am not going to give up. My life is worth more than a quick fix!

Lord, let me know that true courage is working through the pain.

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