The Meetings

 There is a story in the Bible of ten lepers who asked Jesus to heal them.  He did.  Nine went off to live their life free of leprosy.  One came back to say thank you.  Nine were healed and one was transformed.  There is a difference and I see it in recovery meetings from addiction.  Some come to meetings and follow directions for a time.  They get rid of their addiction to whatever substance.  They feel healed and stop coming to meetings. Some continue going to meetings and continue to practice whatever got them sober. But these are transformed and it shows in their trying to be helpful to newcomers and one another on a daily basis.  I see this in other situations such as religion.  People get what they want and then drift off to carry on with their life.  But they are not transformed.  And eventually, the healing wears off. I have found it so.  Transformation and deeper happiness, fulfillment, selfless fulfillment is a daily effort.