Thrill of Being Alive

I have always believed that spirituality is a gift that needs to be polished. And we polish it, poetically speaking, by taking time to remember those moments when we feel most alive.

In my book Spirituality and Recovery, I seek to explain this awareness by giving examples that most of us can identify with; in this sense the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

"Most times, we are not in contact with our God-given spirituality. We miss it, reject it, or ignore it. The time and occasions when we make contact, those wonderful occasions when we feel and touch the very essence of our life flow, we glow with enthusiasm. At such moments, it is great to be alive. It is not only great to be a alive, it is great to be who we are and alive.

Such moments are abundant, but we often miss them. We concentrate on clutter, the superficial, the unreal, so that we miss the beauty that has been given and the splendor that surrounds us.

Are you in touch with your life? Are you there in your life? If you answer yes, then you are already aware of the thrill of living, the wonder of living, and that constant spirituality.
When two people are in love, it is loudly present. It shouts from their eyes, faces, and sprightly walk. Love is overflowing, demanding attention. It radiates from the most discreet, respectable, and proper people. It cannot be hidden or disguised. When two people are in love, life is filled with meaning and everything is exciting.

The shared telephone call between young lovers and the nervous pronunciation of the name sends shivers down the listening lover's spine. The meal and walk in the park become a sacramental communion that radiates a real presence. Even the making up after a silly argument becomes a joyous experience of generous forgiveness. Love makes everything exciting, meaningful, and extraordinary." (Chapter 3 - Page 48-49)

Spirituality and Recovery has recently been published by Health Communications Incorporated and is now available at various places including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. And for those of you who live in the Long Beach Orange County area, a wonderful recovery store called Easy Does It on Broadway in Long Beach has signed copies available. Visit their website for store hours and directions or call 562-621-1042.

Holiday Blessings

Happy Holidays and a Blessed New Year!

As we embark upon the end of the year a Frank Sinatra song comes to mind - "It Was A Very Good Year."

For me 2012 was a great year: 

• I semi-retired
• Refurbished Leo's Den in England
• Had published my latest book, The Happy Heretic 
• Had a great time with Spiritual Travelers in Southern India

Not a bad year.

I hope you had a good year. If not, let's proactively look forward to making 2013 most special and productive in every way.

Blessed means having a spiritual joy. It's good to be happy, amongst friends and loved ones, feeling safe and secure. And I wish this for you all in the coming year!

By the time you receive this I will be at Leo's Den in England. Surrounded by family and friends. And, naturally, enjoying the cheese!

Many blessings,

Rev. Leo Booth

My Beliefs are What Make Me Human

I remember reading that C.S. Lewis was essentially hopeful because he believed that God has won the battle with the devil. It was over. Truth has conquered evil. I also believe this metaphysical story, Goodness has been victorious.

It is with this as a background that I say today that it is easier to get well than to stay sick. For the alcoholic, sobriety is an easier path; it's really difficult to live each day as a drunk.

I've not always believed this. I used to say that it is hard to get sober and I came to realize that this was giving energy to the negative; it seemed to suggest that the disease of alcoholism is stronger than the human spirit.

Yes, it is not easy to get sober but it is easier than the pain and chaos of being drunk; as I said earlier, it's not easy to live as a drunk.

A major shift in our thinking comes when we begin to ask - "Who are we? What is a human being?"

Today I believe that we reflect the divine. Indeed, we truly are divine creatures who were created to love and be loved. When we cease to love, when we begin to hurt ourselves, we disconnect from that divine energy. We feel powerless. Heavy drinking or other addictive behaviors create feelings of powerlessness and unmanageabilty. But this is not who we essentially are; truly we are divine.

C.S. Lewis sensed this. The victory has been won. We are victorious. Now let's live as winners!

Rev Leo