It is quite difficult for folks in active addictions to ever feel a sense of grace. Shame, guilt, and an “I don’t care” attitude often prevail. Everyone from time to time feels unattractive both internally and externally. However we know that each person has the ability to change his/her self-view.

Audrey Hepburn was once asked to share her “beauty tips” and she ended up writing this wonderful poem: “For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone…Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.”

Consider if you will how closely this poem ties into the active recovery programs of AA, NA, OA, GA and so forth. Is it not the giving back that helps one continue to live in Grace AND Recovery?

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.”
–Goethe