One of the things that has kept me humble is the suffering I see every day in AA, Alanon and Alateen. But I find that this pain and suffering is the touchstone to spiritual progress. If i remove this by not going to meetings and witnessing first hand suffering from alcoholism, then I become like the modern church with all it's material trappings but no compassion for others. For the past 23 years I have worked with sick people like myself and it has helped me get well. If I want my leprosy cured I go to a leper who was healed by Jesus. The strange paradox is that in touching a leper, I do not get leprosy but healing.