Revealing Riches

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own."

—Benjamin Disraeli

I recently found this quote and realized that it is a very profound formula for building healthy relationships.

A desire common to all people is to make a positive difference in the world. Who wouldn't want to leave a mark that benefits our fellow human beings and ensures that we are remembered for some good and wonderful accomplishment?

Sometimes we may have the mistaken idea that making sweeping, global changes is beyond our individual capabilities. We may not be able to see ourselves as a Ghandi, a Buddha, a Mother Teresa, or an Albert Schweitzer.

But we all, each us, can make a positive difference in the lives of the people in the next office, across the street, or in our homes. Sweeping, global changes are no more significant than simple acts of kindness, generosity, and unconditional love to the people who are closest to us.

As co-dependents, we may have retreated from giving away something so valuable. We may have been abused or mistreated or taken advantage of by those closest to us for doing so.

But we can also choose how we respond to the ill treatment we may have received. One response is to treat others like we want to be treated or desire to be treated. We can even treat ourselves as we want to be treated.

Regardless of our circumstances, there is someone in each of our lives who will appreciate and benefit from our treating them in such a special way. Find that person in your life. Share with them how wonderful, special, unique, and precious they are, just because they are alive. Appreciate someone in your life by loving them in a way they want to be loved.

Recovery is not just about fixing ourselves. It's about sharing ourselves and spreading good feelings around. Recovery is about helping others to help themselves. Recovery is about joining our hands and our hearts for a greater good and a better world. Recovery is about something bigger than ourselves, maybe even bigger than the world—giving away unconditional, positive, healthy love.

Thank you, God, for showing me how to make a difference in the everyday situations. Help me to be a messenger of love and good will to all around me. Help me to be the kind of loving, giving, and compassionate person I am looking for and appreciate in others.

next: Celebrate Yourself