"The first requirement is that we be convinced that any life run on self-will can hardly be a success. On that basis we are almost always in collision with something or somebody, even though our motives are good. Each person is like an actor who wants to run the whole show, is forever trying to arrange the lights, the ballet, the scenery and the rest of the players in his own way. If only people did as he wished everybody, including himself, would be pleased. Life would be wonderful."
I say this all the time in meetings: "When I'm appointed Ruler of the Universe THEN everybody will be happy." Barely funny the first time you hear it but after three or four times it's definitely pointless and fairly obvious.
The Big Book continues: "Is he not a victim of the delusions that he can wrest happiness and satisfaction out of this world if he only manages well? Our actor is self-centered - ego-centric as people like to call it nowadays."
It's perplexing that when I try to be happy, when I seek out my own happiness, then I find no satisfaction. But when I'm focused on the happiness of others life takes on a deeper meaning. And all of this begs the question of why I think I know what's best for someone else? I'm having trouble finding my wallet half the time.
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