Friends at Leo's Den

 I know that many of you have watched the Olympics in London and enjoyed it. For me, the games were exciting to watch, not only for the US team but also for England! Yes, the spirit of the Olympics is about competition but in many ways it expands our respect for other cultures around the world and I see that the unity and friendship between the countries is evident.

Talking about different countries and cultures, in September a group will be joining me on my journey to Southern India.

Maybe you're asking, "I see that the trip is less than a month away but can I still come?"
"Can I join the group at this late date?"

Yes, but you need to call Shama at Rama Tours at 773.205.7900 and fix up the details.

I hear from my sister, who lives in Manchester, England that the weather is glorious at the moment. Maybe you would like to see England this Fall, well call Michael and arranage your dates. I will be visiting some time before Christmas; can't wait to order my English fish and chips. And the English lamb is very tasty.

Rev Leo


Here are some comments from people who have visited Leo's Den recently:

 Just wanted you to know how much we enjoyed our stay at Leo's Den. The weather was cool and rainy, but it didn't stop us. It was quiet and peaceful and yet so much fun to experience the English customs, food, shopping, sites and the car is lovely! I am glad we had the longer stay. Anything less would just not be enough. I would highly recommend it to anyone. - Maridale & Amy

 Leo's Den is beautiful, comfortable and well appointed. Leo did a great job with the remodel. Christine is a gem. (She doesn't really look like the Auntie type; she is very fashionable, gorgeous and young!) She was warm and welcoming! Our strategy of making Leo's Den our home base and adventuring out from there was all-in-all a good plan. - Donna & Geno, Richmond, VA

Spending time in the comfort and ease of Leo’s Den provided an opportunity for us to enjoy the quiet atmosphere of Manchester, to rest and rejuvenate, and to have a ‘home base’ from which to visit parts of England as well as to venture forth to Rome and Florence. We particularly appreciated Auntie Christine and the many friendly people we met in the neighborhood, on buses and at local pubs. Leo’s Den is a perfect place to spend time for anyone who needs to take a break from the hectic pace of everyday life. We are happy to have had this experience. - Reverend Judy and Reverend Glenda, Common Ground Spiritual Center

From 8/26/12 Newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter directly, click HERE.

For more details on Leo's Den, England, please click HERE.

A Spiritual Awakening

The good thing about having an author write a column is that you hear about a new book before the book is published; in my case, I’m talking about The Happy Heretic. It is the result of my spiritual awakening that happened years ago when I realized that everything I was told I didn’t believe. Or, to put it another way; we believe a thing until we don’t believe it anymore.

I think everyone who enters into recovery soon realizes that they are not only seeking healing for their drug and alcohol use, other things are involved. For some it is food, sex, gambling; in my case it was religious codependency.

Is the phrase religious codependency new to you? Well, that’s why I wrote this book. More importantly, that’s why it is being published by Health Communications Incorporated this December. It speaks of a toxic message I heard growing up; God is everything and I am nothing without God’s grace. Well, I don’t believe that. Oh, I realize that I’m not God, but I am something. Yes, God certainly wanted me to get sober, but I needed to want it enough to change my behaviors. The God that I believe in today, so very different from the God I was raised with, has given Leo something of himself (free will) at birth. I am a child of God that, with this gift of free will, is able to make creative choices. I’m no longer nothing; I am something.

For the alcoholic who was riddled with guilt, shame and low self-esteem this belief has proven to be transformational. I’m an essential part of my recovery.

Today I am able to understand the word responsibility in a new and challenging way because I’ve moved away from that religious codependency that kept me waiting for God to fix or rescue me. God’ grace requires my involvement; I have become part of the change process.

This spiritual awakening has also helped me understand that I have not inherited the sin of Adam and Eve. They were responsible for their behaviors, and they paid the price; I’m responsible for my actions and behaviors. The term original sin has come to mean for me, original blessing. I’ve moved away from sin into a state of blessedness. Their sins, your sins, they are not my sins. As the saying goes: I was born an original, I’m not going to die a copy.

For me, this spiritual awakening has created an amazing shift in my life. Notice I said my life, not just recovery. Yes, I need to take responsibility for my recovery from alcohol and drugs but this healing from religious codependency has affected health, finance, relationships…and prayer.

I’m no longer praying for God to take away my problems and challenges, rather I’m affirming in my prayers the need to think differently and act responsibly. Health issues became my issues. If I want to pray about my cough, and I’m a smoker, then I need to act differently. Asking for God to remove my financial insecurity, if I’m spending too much money at Starbucks, doesn’t make sense today. Requesting a loving partner, without doing the footwork, is really a cry for magic, not miracle.

Has this spiritual awakening made me critical of the words and prayers used at recovery meetings? Not really. I’ve always realized that the program is inspired, not dogmatically dictated and it is necessary for me to interpret what I hear and read. True, the prayers on the wall are not as I would have written them but I look to the meaning behind the words. What is said with one hand always needs to be balanced by what is being said in the other hand. I need to let go; and also be responsible. I need to be quiet and listen; but there is also a time to speak. I need to assist others; but also take care of myself.

Yes, you can say it; Leo will never become a bleeding deacon!

Walking Away

A popular saying needs thinking about: What you think of me is none of my business!

Oh really?
If you are cruel and sarcastic, a real jerk, that is my business.
I need to create some distance for MY sanity.

Upcoming Conferences

Upcoming Events

Many of you are family therapists, nurses, counselors, social workers, healthcare specialists or work in the various fields of recovery and know the importance of providing an array of dynamic educational events to enhance the work that we do.

Therefore, I would like share this information on a few conferences that I will be speaking at this year.

AUGUST 16: The 16th Annual RGANM Conference
Albuquerque, NM
Contact:  Carolyn Warrenswe / Phone:  505.242.6988 ext 12
website: https://rganm.com/  

AUGUST 24:  Addiction Studies Institute sponsored by Talbot Hall, The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
Contact:  Eleanor Garrison / Phone:  614.273.1400
website:  www.addictionstudiesinstitute.com  

SEPTEMBER 15 & 16: The Harmony Foundation
Estes Park, CO
Contact:  Alice Burkholder / Phone:  970.577.3150
website: http://www.harmonyfoundationinc.com/

OCTOBER 11: Behavioral Health and Addictive Disorders Conference
Newport Beach, CA
Contact:  US Journal Training / Phone:  800.441.5569
website: http://www.usjt.com/

Hope to see you there!

Ordinary Miracles, a poem

I'm at the airport going to Alina Lodge, Newark. 

It's busy. 

A lady offers me a slice of her orange. 

Kindness in the hustle.

Look for the ordinary miracles.

--Rev. Leo Booth

Updated - Leo's Den

Leo’s Den -  Updated Information!

Many of you know that I have a comfortable home in England (Lancashire). With this in mind, I wish to make my house available to my friends. (But trust me when I say it is most comfortable).
About the House: This attractive detached house has three bedrooms, and will comfortably sleep up to five people, with a kitchen, dining room and two lounge areas; also two bathrooms and showers with a guest bathroom downstairs.  There is a garden at the back and front to just sit and relax.
Where is it? The house is located outside the city of Manchester, close to Yorkshire, Stratford on Avon (Shakespeare's home), the countryside where the T.V. series All Creatures Great and Small was filmed, The Lake District, Auckland Castle, Liverpool (birthplace of the Beatles) and close to Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters' home. Scotland is three hours drive and there is a direct railway connection between Manchester and London. Of course, for soccer fans you can see Manchester United play at Old Trafford.
Car Available: In order to see the beauty of England's countryside or visit Scotland, Ireland and Wales you need a car. This is what makes visiting England, with hotels and car rentals priced in "the English pound" so expensive. With this in mind, I've included the use of my personal Mercedes E Series (Automatic) in the daily rental.

Auntie Christine: I've arranged for Auntie Christine to be your point person during your stay. Christine will provide basic snacks at the house upon your arrival. Auntie Christine will arrange a mutually convenient time concerning orientation for driving in England. Also included, Christine will clean the house once a week. Anything you need for the house, she will try to accommodate and meet your every need.  She's a fantastic person.   You'll enjoy Auntie Christine.

Cost: April – Sept: It is simply $250.00 per night (including use of the car and domestic services provided by Auntie Christine). For those sharing the expense with family and friends Leo's Den is truly a great deal. Winter rates: $175.00 per night.

Driving/Transportation: Scotland is a 2 ½ hour drive from the house; Wales is little over an hour drive. The train station is located 2 miles away from the house, to take the train from Manchester to London is approximately 3 hours.

How do I make a reservation for Leo's Den?   Contact my office at 562.494.2900. Email: fatherleo@fatherleo.com    We have a master calendar and all your dates (if available) will be confirmed when payment is received.  Everything is as above, all you need to do is pay for the gasoline and food you require during your stay and then enjoy England at your own pace.

I want you to feel at home in my home and for those of you who are interested in AA recovery, I will provide a list of scheduled meetings. However, I do realize that not everyone is in recovery and so everyone is able to rent my house.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact us.

Leo Booth

India's Bird Sanctuary

You've heard the saying...a Bird in the Hand!

Kumarokom and Alleppey

 Another highlight of our trip will be a morning visit to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary where several species of birds can been seen. It is located along the beautiful banks of the Vembanad Lake which, by the way, for anyone visiting southern India, is considered to be one of the world famous Backwater destinations of Kerala.

In the morning, as we depart from Kumarokom, we will arrive in Alleppey in the afternoon to be served delicious Malabari food on a deluxe house boat. You'll have the rest of the day free to either sit and relax or, if adventure awaits you, it will be a wonderful opportunity to explore the Backwaters of Kerala.

Hope to see you there,
Rev. Leo