That's How It Happens

I WAS A LONG TIME coming to the conclusion that I would never be completely happy all the time. As we grow up, we are told we will be happy if we obey everyone in authority over us. But, little by little, we find there is something not quite right with this picture. We try to be good, kind, obedient and unselfish, but we can't seem to get any satisfaction out of life. We start our search in books, the arts, music, politics, volunteer work, religion and even romance, none of which does the trick. Since coming into AA I have found out why the emptiness: happiness isn't a goal we can find by following certain rules; it is a by-product which comes when we step outside ourselves and join the hand of love with others.