Rudeness

How do I deal with rude people?
I occasionally pray for them. But truly, it's healthier for me to avoid them. Spirituality occasionally requires distance.

Why are people rude?
Well, I think that they are so consumed with themselves they don't consider how their actions or attitudes affect others. It is a complete lack of consideration for others.

Bosnia and Serbia

2013 Spiritual Journey: Serbia and Bosnia
Many of you have contacted my office, emailed me and told me that you are very excited about the possibility of Eastern Europe. With that being said, let me give you some information about the trip:

Destinations: Belgrade / Sarajevo / Visegrad / Zlatibor / Petrovaradin Fortress

Selected Highlights: Sarajevo is the capital city of (the state of) Bosnia and Herzegovina which is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and mountains. Sightseeing will consist of four city municipalities: Old City, Center, New City and New Sarajevo then off to Mostar and Medjugorje.

Medjugorgie: See the historical famous bridge from all angles and learn about the incredible story of Medjugorje and how it has become one of the largest Catholic pilgrimages sites in the world.

Sarganska Osmica: Enjoy a ride on the incredible railway that connects Western Serbia and Eastern Bosnia which is one of the many must-see a tourist attractions.

Sirogojno: Visiting the ethno village of Sirogojno known as 'Old Village' , an open air museum where beautiful authentic handcrafted arts and souvenirs are made and elements of life collected from the 19th century remain.

Monasteries: Visit old monasteries from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, The Fortress where the 7,000 year old rivers of the Sava and Danube meet in Belgrade, A Serbian Orthodox Cathedral built in 1834, The Regional Museum, the "Gibraltar of Danube" located across from the Danube and tour a historical vineyard in Topola, just to name a few.

Dates: September 23 - October 5, 2013

Price: $3,460 per person - Price includes: International Airfare, Luxury Hotels, Meals and Transportation. (Price does not include Taxes and Fuel Surcharges approx $610)

When I spoke about the trip last time I mentioned that Rama Tours and my office will begin arranging the trip if we have twenty or more committed travelers. So, as an incentive, I wanted to offer our Spiritual Ambassadors the opportunity to make a commitment today. 

Anyone who sends in their deposit to Rama Tours by February 28th will receive a $100.00 credit towards their trip. This is limited offer and as I said earlier, if we have enough people signed up we will be going to Serbia and Bosnia. Now is the time.

Make that commitment and contact Rama Tours!
Shama Kapur by phone at 800-835-7262 or by Email.

See you soon,

Rev Leo Booth

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.

The Angel and the Frog Q&A

Doesn't he look hop-less?

Q. Which character are you, the author, in this book?
A. I'm all of them. That's what makes me interesting!

Q. When was The Angel and the Frog released?
A. November 6, 2012. It's brand new!

Q. Is it appropriate for children?

A. Absolutely. Becoming your own angel is good for any soul, young or old, and in any body.

Q. Can I still get a copy?
A. Absolutely! Call Michael for an autographed copy at 562-494-2900 or email, Order at Amazon, or Barnes and Noble, or my website, or stop into Easy Does It.

Q. What piece of advice would you give about this book?

A. If you meet someone without a smile, give them yours. If you want a smile, read The Angel and The Frog; Becoming your own Angel.

Q. What's the best compliment you have received on the book?

A. We all enjoy receiving or reading a compliment. I was touched by Thomas Page's comment concerning The Angel and The Frog, how he has shared it with his children and now prepares to read it to his
grandchildren. That's why I wrote this fable. I hope his compliment will encourage others to read it. 

Q. Are you proud of this work?

A. I'm still enjoying it!

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

On Blasphemy

Blasphemy

People think it means
being wrong
but it can mean
daring to think differently

If I'm a blasphemer
I'm in good company!

On Angels

In The Angel and the Frog, Cedric the frog felt better in the presence of the angel Christine. He had lost his hop, he was feeling hop-less. Depression does this to frogs!

The message to you and me is to surround ourselves with angels, people who demonstrate kindness and love.

Better still, become our own angels!

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

A Traveling Man

Yes, I've just got back from Southern India and now I'm off to stay at Leo's Den, in Manchester, England. I'll get to visit my sister, my nieces and Joe, who visited me in Southern California a couple of months ago.

Travel helps me to understand the world in which I live. People are different...and yet the same. We all want to be loved, appreciated, supported and understood. Different perspectives enable me to have a broader concept of spirituality, what it means to live a life with divine dimensions.

Also, I'm grateful. I know I'm a lucky man. But this word luck must also include the work I've performed and created in my life. As Christine, the angel-in-training from The Angel and the Frog said to Cedric the frog, "You need to become your own angel." Instead of waiting for things to happen, make them happen.

I hope that many of you will be able to visit Leo's Den in the near future. Anytime of the year you will find something beautiful in England even in the Fall and Winter months which have their own special attraction; a chance to wear hats, scarfs, gloves and warm coats we rarely use in America. From the months of November through March, England is both crisp and fresh. Imagine yourself looking out drinking a hot cup of tea and seeing the autumn and beauty of the trees. You can both rest and play in a comfortable home, for a few weeks that you can call your own.

As a reminder, the winter rates to rent are $175.00 a night from November 1st - March 31st. And let's not forget, that includes the use of my the car.

I know you've thought about it; now make it happen.

Leo Booth

I'm in England

I'm off to stay at Leo's Den in England this week. 

I hear you say " Oh, I'd love to visit England." Well you can! 

See the information concerning Leo's Den here.

You'll love the experience!

Special Delivery: Books

 Special Advanced Copies for my fans: 

The Angel and the Frog
Available to the public November 6, 2012
Signed copies are available to you, immediately!
Price $12.95

The Happy Heretic
Publication date December 3, 2012 

Order your signed copies in advance.
Price $9.95

Spirituality and Recovery
Released October 2, 2012 

Available immediately.
Price $12.95

To order signed/advance copies:
Call     562-494-2900
Email   michael@fatherleo.com
Shipping is $4 per book.

You can also find these books after their public release at:
My Website
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Southern India - videos

What a wonderful way to spend time: traveling, meeting new people, experiencing what life has to offer. To those who joined me in Southern India this year, thank you for the opportunity to bond with you and bring you into my life. To those who were unable to attend this year, please plan to attend a journey with me next year by checking back on my Facebook page, my website, and in my newsletter for information as it is planned.

For those of you who were there, these videos may serve as a reminder of a time when you felt peace and enjoyment and want to recapture that feeling. For those of you who were unable to attend, please enjoy these souvenirs I've brought back to share with you.

Hindu procession

Majestic elephants

Highest point in Southern India, Anamudi

Finding God

Friends

Park in Kerala

Washing

Birthing Babies

Yes, I'm birthing three new babies! 

October arrives: Spirituality and Recovery (revised) 

November brings: The Angel and The Frog (revised) 

December, a new baby: The Happy Heretic. 

All published by Health Communication Incorporated. 

Order pre-published SIGNED copies from Michael at my office by emailing him here.