A man, who regularly attended meetings with his friends, without any notice stopped participating in his activities. After a few weeks, one very cold night, the leader of that group decided to visit him.
He found the man at home, alone, sitting in front of a fireplace where a bright and cozy fire burned. Guessing the reason for the visit, the man welcomed the leader. There was a great silence.
The two men only watched the dancing flames around the logs that crackled in the fireplace. After a few minutes, the leader, without saying a word, examined the embers that formed and selected one of them, the most incandescent of all, removing it to the side of the brazier with a pair of tongs. Then he sat down again.
The host was paying attention to everything, fascinated but restless. Before long, the lone ember flame subsided, until there was only a momentary glow and the fire suddenly went out. In a short time, what was a sample of light and heat, was nothing more than a black, cold and dead piece of coal.
Very few words had been spoken since the greeting.
The leader, before preparing to leave, with the pliers returned the cold and useless coal, placing it again in the middle of the fire. Immediately, the ember was rekindled, fueled by the light and heat of the burning coals around him.
When the leader reached the door to leave, the host said: Thank you for your visit and for your beautiful lesson. I will return to the group.
Goodnight.
Why are the groups extinguished? Very simple: because each member that withdraws takes fire and heat from the rest.
It is worth reminding members of a group that they are part of the flame. It is good to remind each other that we are all responsible for keeping each other’s flame burning. We must collectively promote the union between all so that the fire is really strong, effective and lasting.
Sometimes we feel all lonely and depressed and withdraw from active participation. It is during these times that other people of the group must reach out to them and bring them back to the mainstream.
In social groups whether with family members or with friends and colleagues, some of us are silent, others very active and others report sporadically. Everyone has their own way of contributing and staying connected. The friends that we meet here are to meet, learn, exchange ideas, or simply know that we are not alone and feel secure in the thought that there are people in our lives on whom we can count on and reach out to.
Let us keep our flame alive and help others keep their flame burning!
