[TonyB]

I see where you are going with that Sharon and I agree with you. But I think there is more to it than just working with others. I realize that I'm a FNG (Fairly New Guy) as far as sobriety is concerned (8/05), but this is how it has worked for me.
It does help us to an extent to work selflessly with others. I think it is also important to see this: How did I get to true happiness?
That's a question I used to ask old timers when I first came to this program.
I did demand happiness to the extent that I resolved myself to not being a miserable SOB in sobriety. I wasn't going to be one of those people that hated every minute of their sobriety, because they were pissed that they couldn't drink. I was going to be happy and I still am going to be happy. And just like the "Promises" state, "I was going to know a new freedom". But still the question remained... How did you get there?
Working with others is great.... But if you are a wreck, you are going to bring your wreckage to others.
So, the answer I feel is three fold.
1: Get right with God
2: Get right with Self
3: Get right with others

These can only be experienced by staying sober, having a step sponsor and serious step work. It is important to clean up that wreckage of our past before we can move forward. I had things that were on me like a ton of bricks and I felt like I carried the weight of the world around.
I got to be free from that, by the grace of God; and I also have experienced true happiness. But it didn't come without work.
This program saved my life and that's no joke. I suffered for years in a pit of hopelessness. What AA has given me is this.... Hope for the hopeless...
I love my life today. I can love today. I can be loved. The most important is that I feel worthy of being loved. Not only by my fellow man, but also by God. The grace that He has given me is true love and has truly set me free.

Thanks Sharon for the topic... I love the way you drop in and start people thinking. God bless you.
TonyB