One Of Us - Samie Sands Page 0,3
bed he found the brochure in his back pocket.
The Prophet of Change invites you to create the life that you want for yourself. If you feel out of step with the rest of society, if you are looking to change your life and start living, then you have found the right group. We meet weekly to share fellowship, encourage each other to live our best lives, and learn skills to change ourselves and the world.
Underneath that was a list of classes that the group seemed to offer, a short biography of the leader, and the address of the hotel Mary had mentioned earlier. “Sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo, but what have I got to lose?”
The next evening, Mike showed up at the appointed time, looking around for Mary. “Welcome brother, are you a new believer?” A man asked as Mike entered the meeting room.
“Well this is my first time here, so I don’t know if I believe in anything.” Mike answered.
The man just smiled. “Welcome friend. You will believe soon enough.” He handed Mike a small book and ushered him into the room.
Mike caught sight of Mary and hurried towards her, “You talked me into coming.” He said as he sat down next to her.
“How wonderful! I’m so glad you came tonight. You are going to love this group.” Mary beamed at him.
“It sounds a little bit like a cult, are you sure these people are on the up and up?” Mike asked in a whisper.
Mary just laughed. “Oh don’t be so dramatic. We are a bit new age here, but we are hardly a cult. Just listen with an open mind. The Prophet has taught me so much. I used to be lonely and depressed, now I feel like I’m thriving. I’m happier now in my sixties than I have ever been in my life. You know the Prophet is a psychologist right? He really knows what he is talking about, he just teaches it in a rather unorthodox way. You’ll see, this will change everything for you.”
Still skeptical, but happy to be out of the house and potentially making a new friend, Mike kept it to himself. Soon all the seats were filled and the doors shut. Mike could have sworn that they locked the doors too, but that he must be imaging things. Then from behind a screen came the man he could only assume was “The Prophet”. The man seemed to be a little younger than Mike, he would guess about mid-fifties. Small, balding, and mousy looking didn’t give off the vibe of being a prophet. But once he began to speak Mike understood why the room was packed, talk about presence.
The night seemed to go by in a blur, later Mike could not really recall all of the information given, only that he felt happy and content by the time the evening ended. He bought the books that were available for purchase and went home lighter than he had been in a long time. During the following week he read the books that the Prophet had written. He took assessments in them, he did the “homework” assignments. Mike even cancelled dinner with his son so that he could read and prepare for the meeting the next Thursday. It was time he did something for himself he thought, there would be time for family.
Everyone greeted him with enthusiasm when he showed up the next week.
“Hey Mike! Welcome back.”
“Good to see you again friend.”
“Mike! I’m so glad you made it this week.” Mary said as she gave him a quick hug. “Didn’t I tell you that you’d like this group?”
“You were right. I’m actually making friends, at my age that is quite something.” Mike said, smiling like he hadn’t in a long time.
The Prophet came out and started speaking and once again Mike would have been hard pressed to tell anyone what was said, all he knew is that he felt better than ever at the end of the meeting. He felt a sense of belonging, he no longer felt alone. When he heard that the Prophet was hosting a weekend retreat, well of course he signed up just like everyone else.
“Will I can’t make it to dinner again this Sunday, I’m going on a retreat with my new group of friends.” He called his son to cancel for the second week in a row.
“Dad, what kind of group have you gotten involved with? Don’t get me wrong I’m glad that you are out and