Selflessness was the topic at yesterday's management meeting, which is held the second Sunday of the month. As the manager's shared, it seemed each had somewhat of a different definition. But a recurring theme was that selflessness doesn't really exist in our program – or for that matter, even in the world.

While most of us help others without expectations, there's always an underlying payback. When we help others we feel good about our actions. When we help others there's the recognition that we have done something good. Even if no one else knows we did something kind or generous, the recipient knows.

An interesting aspect of the topic was that many of those we help at TLC ultimately fail. They leave because they're not ready to get sober. They liked the idea of change, but somehow doing the footwork wasn't what they had in mind. They usually leave owing us a lot of money.

However, someone pointed out that we don't let ungrateful people change our behavior. We must continue to give - and give again - without being overly concerned about those who aren’t ready to change. In fact, someone pointed out that we developed our Hard Six program for those who've failed with us multiple times.

What we offer others is between us and God. What others do with what we give them is between them and God. It's an old axiom – and it's true.