Leo Booth - Say Yes to Your Life: Daily Meditations for Alcoholics and Addicts

Each days read is a spiritual gem.

John Bradshaw, Author

Im a recovering addict who happens to be Jewish, and I find a spiritual message on every page. A few readings lift an eyebrow, but those are the ones that stay with you.

Dr. Michael Weiner, Ph.D., Addiction Researcher

The openness of the book reflects the openness of the author.

Iman Jory Kareem, Therapist

A daily read that inspires faith and personal growth for inner healing.

Chic Bancroft, Interventionist

This book offers inspiring words of Love and Hope for those with or without an addiction.

Dr. Valerie Watkins, Ph.D., Therapist

This book we give to all our clients. The insights, humor, and uplifting messages make it a welcome companion for everyones life journey.

Dr. Daniel Gatlin, Ph.D., Therapist

Reverend Leos book is intriguing, fascinating, educational, and spiritual. He truly is an artist.

Ed Storti, Interventionist

Also by Leo Booth

Say Yes to Your Spirit

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Booth, Leo.

Say yes to your life : daily meditations for alcoholics and addicts / Leo Booth.

p. cm.

ISBN-13: 978-0-7573-2417-8 (ebook)

ISBN-13: 978-0-7573-0764-5 (trade paper)

ISBN-10: 0-7573-0764-7 (trade paper)

1. Recovering alcoholicsPrayers and devotions. 2. Recovering addictsPrayers and devotions. 3. Devotional calendars. I. Title. BL625.9.A43.B66 2008

204'.32dc22

2008033962

2008 Leo Booth

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

HCI, its logos, and marks are trademarks of Health Communications, Inc.

Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.

3201 S.W. 15th Street

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190

Cover photo PhotoDisc

Cover design by Larissa Hise Henoch

Interior design by Lawna Patterson Oldfield

Interior formatting by Dawn Von Strolley Grove

T he book Say Yes to Life, which has gone through three incarnations since it was originally published by HCI Books twenty years ago, is now presented as Say Yes to Your Life and it is even more powerful, reflecting an inclusive spirituality.

Writing a book and then seeing it birthed involves the professionalism of more than the author and it is important for me to express my gratitude to the following:

Kien Lam, who started working with me when I initially wrote Say Yes to Life twenty years ago, worked tirelessly with HCI to ensure that the corrections, updates, and artwork reflect the essence of Say Yes to Your Life.

Michele Matrisciani, who took the original manuscript and made the writing tighter and more vivid in expressing my thought pattern, so that each meditation was inclusive and gender sensitive. I began working with Michele on my new book Say Yes to Your Spirit in 2007 and she made the discipline of editing both exciting and creative.

I also want to thank the thousands of recovering people who over the years have shared stories and insights into spirituality that is really the foundation of this book Say Yes to Your Life. Thank you.

And lastly, Peter Vegso, Publisher and President of HCI, who loved the book twenty years ago and still loves it.

Affirm your spiritual Yes.

W hen I wrote this book I was concerned that it should be inclusive, not representing any one religion or denomination, and open to every human being who desires to discover their God-given spirituality on a daily basis.

The 365 daily meditations throughout this book are personal, as they recount my personal struggle with a variety of topics, and because human beings are so similar, I have little doubt that you will be able, regardless of background, to identify with the feelings and struggles expressed within these pages.

Indeed, since its original publication twenty years ago, I have received hundreds of letters and emails from readers telling me how this book has saved their lives, given them hope, and allowed them to find a new understanding of spirituality throughout their recovery journey.

This book is not intended to convert people from their personal beliefs or convictions, but to show on a daily basis the connection between our lives as recovering people and the dynamic of spirituality.

This new and exciting edition of Say Yes to Your Life offers you help, hope, and empowerment.

Leo Booth

It is not that I think or believe, but that I know.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

S ome things I seem to know intuitively, and I know spirituality is involved in, and affects, everything. In a human being, it combines the physical, mental, and emotional states, but it also reaches beyond the human being and connects the peoples of the world. Spirituality is the force for good and wholeness in the universe.

This is not just an opinion or a thought. It is a feeling that runs so deep in my being that I know it must be true. When I read, listen to music, or watch a movie, this feeling is often evoked. I know God is alive in the world and wants it to be one.

In the silence of Your world I know You.

A thing is not necessarily true because everyone dies for it.

Oscar Wilde

I n the battle with alcoholism, my involvement with Gods will for me is crucial. My choice is the result of Gods gift of freedom, and freedom can be awfully real! The price of freedom is Auschwitz, the worlds starving millions, and the dead drunk in a derelict building. People do insane and destructive things, usually because they think they know best. They die to protect their egos.

Today I am learning to detach spiritually to discover a pure and selfless love. I stand back and consider before I act. Often after a time of reflection, I see the event differentlyand it is okay to change my mind.

God, I understand choice is the key to my humanity.

No one is an island, entire of itself; everyone is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.

John Donne

F or years, I thought I was alonelost, isolated, and afraid. Today I understand this to be a symptom of my alcoholism, an aspect of my disease. Alcoholism is cunning, baffling, and powerful. It is a mystery we have only begun to understand. One thing we know: The diseasethe ism of alcoholisminvolves more than the act of drinking. Feelings of inadequacy, isolation, and fear keep us from recovering until we discover the spiritual strength to confront the disease in our lives. The initial risk of letting go and trusting others is an essential part of the recovery process.

Dear God, I believe I am part of this world and an important part of You.