The English word humble comes from the Latin humili, low, which itself is related to another Latin word, humus …to understand the link, it helps to think of earth and earthling.” Ravi Shapiro, Recovery, the Sacred Art: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice.

When shame and guilt become humility, they become redemptive.  “[Humility] …is a gift that is given us through the depths of our suffering. ..it is only when we can no longer hide from the insanity of our lives that we fall at last into the arms of humility. If not for suffering, there would be no recovery...only when we are too broken to swim do we collapse into the sea itself and discover the current carrying us where we need to go.” 

Ravi Shapiro, Recovery, the Sacred Art: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice.