Good post, Doug.
Reminds me of a couple of excerpts from the Basic Text -
[1] "One of the biggest stumbling blocks to recovery seems to be placing unrealistic expectations on ourselves and others. Relationships can be a terribly painful area. We tend to fantasize and project what will happen. We get angry and resentful if our fantasies are not fulfilled. We forget that we are powerless over other people."
[2] "Since the beginning of our recovery, we have found that joy doesn't come from material things, but from within ourselves."
Happiness is a choice.