From the book of Daily Reflections reading for January 17th,

In offering my hand to a newcomer or someone who has relapsed, I find that my recovery is recharged with indescribable gratitude and happiness.

And from the Big Book:

There is no more “aloneness,” with that awful ache, so deep in the heart of every alcoholic that nothing, before, could ever reach it. That ache is gone and never need return again.

Now there is a sense of belonging, of being wanted and needed and loved.  In return for a bottle and a hangover, we have been given the Keys of the Kingdom.

This sums the recovery pretty simply.  There are a few tricks, unfortunately.

You can’t cheat.  The best way to really feel good about yourself is by helping others without expecting a return.  The best way to help another alcoholic is to have something worth sharing.  The best way to gain that which is worth sharing is to work on your recovery so you gain experience.  It’s your experience, strength and hope that has the worth in sharing with another.  Go back to the first item; you can’t cheat.  Repeat.

I have known happiness almost beyond description – I tend to be pretty good with words when it comes to describing my being happy, or content if you prefer.  And it just keeps getting better.  It doesn’t get easier, mind you.  No, it’s infinitely more difficult as the responsibilities grow.  Kids, marriage, job, cars, mortgage… etc.  It’s when I look back at what I came from, being a miserable drunk with a job delivering pizzas – and I wasn’t very good at it – incapable of a meaningful relationship, to what I am today?

Keys of the Kingdom is right.  Having Heaven on earth is a wonderful feeling.

Keep coming back, my friends.  Even if your ass falls off.  And in the event it does, put it in a grocery bag and take it to a meeting.  They’ll be able to show you how to put it back on.