Working With Others

Yesterday I had a pretty big job to complete, but I had to depend on another person to help me out in order to complete the job. I have always had a hard time working with others because I work hard and expect them to work at least half as hard as me. The problem is that a lot of people can not handle working half as hard as I do or even one-fourth as hard. I am learning that the problem isn't the other person, but instead it is my expectation of the other person.
I was left high and dry by another person in recovery. The individual was supposed to help me out by hauling trash to the dump and doing as little of the physical work as possible and I would pay for their gas and labor as well as cover all costs at the dump. For an entire week, they led me to believe that they would be helping me out but that soon would change. Actually the day of the job is when it changed, lol. Now, a job that would have only taken a couple hours was now going to take several more.
I then found a neighbor of mine that said they would help out, but of course they couldn't even get to the site without getting distracted by something else. I eventually(after about 2 hours) just told my neighbor not to bother coming out because it was getting too late. I found out just how undependable people can be. These two people are forever wanting me to do stuff for them, but when I need help they run the other way and lie about helping me out.
I finally was able to get someone that lives over an hour away who is willing to come down and help me out. The difference between this guy and the other two is that he is driven by God not by money. The other two wanted the money but weren't willing to put forth any effort to get it.
The greatest part about the whole ordeal is that I didn't lose my serenity and get drunk over their shortcomings. It was the first experience, as a sober living person, that I didn't allow my serenity to be affected by another person and their failure to meet expectations. God continues to work in and through me and for that I am happy.
It is awesome to know that I do not have to turn to drugs of any kind because of the things that other people do. I didn't have to turn to drugs in order to escape any feelings of guilt, frustration or complete anger. Today, I am able to see that my serenity doesn't have to depend on how other people act. I look for my part in the situation, if any, and turn it over to God. He drives a whole lot better than I do.
Today drugs are not an option for me, and God has removed this life threatening obsession from me. I am grateful to Him for this awesome and refreshing gift of sober living.
I would love to hear how other people have been able to grow through working with others or the lack of. Please share how you may have overcome or continue to struggle in these people centered situations.
Jason B. Sober in Recovery since September 12, 2011.