Kasis lama'or l'hal'os ner tamid.
Question: Why is it necessary to work so hard? Why do we need to break apart our ego & other bad traits in order for our inner purity to shine forth? We seem to be able to have some clean streaks the way we are too?
Answer: As long as we don't shed and shred the inferior attributes that we posses, we are bound to fail in our quest for long-term sobriety. The light will burn out. We may have respectable streaks, but it won't last indefinitely. The glow is sure to fade with time.
We need to to be kasis l'maor in order for us to be a ner tamid, an everlasting illumination!