Often we can help each other most by leaving each other alone; at other times we need the hand-grasp and the word of cheer. ~ Elbert Hubbard

Our best function is not
the gift of advice, becoming counselors
(maybe especially if we’re trained
in the field but asked as recovery people)
but merely listening, asking questions,
helping highlight the problem.
We talk of our experience, what worked for us
but back away from the expert role.
Just live the life and model serenity
and others will find their own way
to recovery.