Even though for many years denial kept me from the truth of how pathetic my life had become, somewhere in the depths of my being I cried out for help.  Help is what I needed then.  Help is what I need today.  Part of the help I need comes in the form of the opportunity to be of service. So all the things I did and continue to do today, I really do for me, for my own recovery, to make my own life better. So for me service is not just about "paying AA back." If it didn't make me feel good to do it, I probably wouldn't do it.

I like to think about the "channel" that St. Francis talks about in his prayer. God's love doesn't end in me, it moves through me to the others with whom I share my small piece of the universe.  Being of service in AA keeps my channel open and flowing. An open channel makes for a useful and contented life. 

I guess that's what makes AA wonderful. It operates on the principle of enlightened self interest. I'm doing the things I do for selfish reasons! The fact that it might benefit someone else is icing on the cake.  I get a real kick out of seeing some shipwreck of a person turn their life around and sail proudly out of the AA harbor. This has to be the best possible way to live.