Since I was old enough to ponder it (like 20 billion human brothers and sisters before me), I have always been obsessed, disheartened and confused to my soul by the daily spectacle of pointless suffering. I spent many a night drinking over my anger and dejection as I observed the world and its sometimes relentless workings. I have been sober a good long time now and I still have no answer to the great “why suffering” question. What I do know, however, is that by drinking, I am creating even more pointless, useless suffering. When I am sober and helping another drunk, I have the chance to actually reduce that suffering, even if only by a little. It’s still something and still worthy to do.