If someone stopped you on the street today and asked you if you were happy, what would you say? Maybe you would answer something like this: "What can I tell you... I have a house, my fridge is full, I have a job, a car... I think I'm happy." Many of us carry the notion that happiness comes with material possessions. On the other hand, we often forget that happiness is our choice; no one else can do it for us.
When we actively participate in Narcotics Anonymous, we open the door to happiness. We get great satisfaction while we are focused on serving the still suffering addict. When we put service delivery above our own desires, we realize that we are not so concerned with ourselves. The result is that we have a full and balanced life. When we offer services to others, we feel that our needs are met even more.
But what is happiness after all? We can understand it as pleasure and satisfaction. Both of these arise when we do not put much effort into achieving them. When we live only for today and carry the message to the still suffering addict, we find contentment, happiness and a deeper meaning.
