UNDERSTANDING THE CGA

12 TRADITIONS TO SAFETY

(And explaining the CGA 12 Wisdoms 

through recovery and traditions.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A CGA RECOVERY GUIDE

 

 

Copyright © 2003 by 

Criminals & Gangmembers Anonymous, Inc. 

All Rights Reserved

 

 

We come to realize that the CGA 12 Steps are simple instructions to lead stubborn emotionally torn people in refining their character and changing their behaviors to live free from conflict and crimeÖ

 

The 12 Traditions provide us with those important reminders about our humanness, vulnerability and the need to work together for the greater good of all in recovery.

 

Our wisdom comes when we can effectively apply the 12 Steps and respect our 12 Traditions without debate or excuses.

 

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1.   Why Our 12 Traditions Should Be RespectedÖ 1

 

 

2.   What Our 12 Traditions to Safety MeanÖ 2

 

Tradition One…3

Tradition Two…4

Tradition Three…4, 5

Tradition Four…5, 6

Tradition Five…6

Tradition Six…6, 7

Tradition Seven…7, 8

Tradition Eight…8, 9

Tradition Nine…9

Tradition Ten…9, 10

Tradition Eleven…10, 11

Tradition Twelve…11, 12

 

 

3.   What the 12 Wisdoms MeanÖ 13

 

Wisdom One…14

Wisdom Two…14

Wisdom Three…15

Wisdom Four…15

Wisdom Five…15,16

Wisdom Six…16

Wisdom Seven…17

Wisdom Eight…17

Wisdom Nine…17, 18

Wisdom Ten…18

Wisdom Eleven…18, 19

Wisdom Twelve…19

ii

 

 

WHY OUR 12 TRADITIONS SHOULD BE RESPECTED

 

 

Our past histories reveal the facts that while under the strength and control of our lifestyle addiction we were not responsible people.  Our twelve step recovery experiences reveal the truth of how self-centered and dangerous our defects in character can be.  We know CGA is vital to our individual recovery needs, and we are obligated to ensure that CGA is strong enough to weather any storm and continue growing steadily to meet the needs of any criminal or gangmember as long as we are needed.  Our twelve traditions provide us the safety devices and spiritual security to resolve any problem that may ever arise.  Our traditions provide the antidote to a poison ego, and the humility to calm a selfish attitude.  The traditions keep us focused on carrying the message to those in need, rather than separating us by pretty differences.  

 

 Our traditions will keep us honest when human nature is tempted to manipulate or deceive.  As our traditions are respected we improve our ability to respect each other and ourselves.  If anyone is truly sincere in their desire to recover, our traditions will support them by keeping CGA recovery possible.  And for those who may wish to misrepresent or abuse the CGA reputation, our traditions will prevent their reckless behavior from affecting others or infecting the CGA mission.

 

Although our traditions are principles that shelter our own safety, serenity and survival, they have little value if not respected by each of 

us in the CGA family.  Our lives are weaved into the fabric of our twelve traditions, and it is these traditions that rely upon us, individually and collectively to honor them with the spiritual integrity they hold firmly 

for us.  

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

WHAT OUR 12 TRADITIONS TO SAFETY MEAN:

 

 

The CGA twelve steps offer the solution to recovery from our lifestyle addiction to illegal activity.  The CGA twelve traditions to safety will offer a solution to any disputes, potential problems or act as our road map to safety for the individual, a CGA fellowship and CGA as a whole.  Our traditions are in place to defend our respect, to promote our unity amongst CGA and to ensure we remain secure and operating with integrity so criminals or gangmembers no matter their lifestyle, profession or where they may be, shall find hope to change a destructive manner of living at any time they seek to find CGA.

 

Our twelve traditions provide the standard of trust we should uphold and express the policies to be adhered to by each individual and CGA fellowship under the guardianship of our General Service Board.  The members of our General Service Board are the caretakers of CGA and trusted liaisons between CGA and the public.  If ever any matters of concern regarding CGA shall need resolution, our General Service Board shall solely interpret CGA traditions in the best interest of all concerned and always to protect CGA from any unnecessary issues of controversy or to shield CGA and its mission from possible exploitation or problems.  

 

Our twelve traditions should never be viewed as a set of laws for the purpose of arbitrary control, but rather as spiritual safety markers to protect us from any forms of evil that could distract, dilute or derail us from our CGA mission to provide recovery and prevention from illegal activities to those who are in need of CGAís message of peace and harmony.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

TRADITION ONE

 

Our ìGoals to Recoveryî shall always come first; we will continually seek similarities within one another -  rather than any ìdifferencesî, as our individual recovery depends upon our combined support and CGA unity.

 

 

Each of us participating in a recovery group of Criminals & Gangmembers Anonymous came with the desire to resolve our common problems and to seek recovery from our lifestyle addiction to illegal activity or gang involvement.  Our efforts toward positive change should always be our main concern.  To be effective in our primary purpose requires the full support of one another.  Let us ever be careful to watch for and listen to the similarities that draw us closer together rather than find negative differences that push us apart.  There is also a great need to avoid any issues of controversy; this includes topics or issues unrelated to our recovery that merely creates potential to weaken or divide us. 

 

Together, we create and strengthen CGA.  Our recovery revolves around the honest - open sharing of our personal experiences and freely giving help and support to one another.  It is our responsibility to protect and maintain the unity that links us together.  To continue being effective, let us avoid the unnecessary conflicts of character or selfish judgments that cause hostility.  It is important to remember that we are not in recovery because we are perfect, and our imperfections will surface at any time.  If we fail to be tolerant and understanding of our faults or mistakes, our group participation could fade away.  Unity among us means ìonenessî in purpose; sharing together in the same goals.  If we do not stand together, the links are broken and then our hopes for recovery as individuals is seriously weakened.  Therefore, our sincere efforts to obtain recovery requires individual commitment to protecting our CGA group through preventing unnecessary disputes among ourselves.  Our individual hopes of change depends upon the combined unity of the greater whole.

 

 

 

 

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TRADITION TWO

 

Our CGA leaders, who are elected by each individual group, are ìtrustedî to serve the greater CGA community, not themselves; as we believe God holds the ultimate authority over each one of us.

 

The leaders we elect in our CGA groups are those selected to serve as our ìguidesî to progress.  They have accepted the commitment to ìserveî the greater whole in our process of recovery.  Their positions are not designed to give power or control, nor to impose self-centered judgments.  Their purpose is to simply lead the way toward positive change not to create obstacles.

 

We further believe that God intends for us to embrace each other with kindness, fairness, and mutual concern and trust.  Through action and practice, any discussions regarding any policies, activities or needs of the group will be humbly decided with full intentions of being helpful in serving the collective group as a whole.  In seeking a ìgroup conscience opinionî it should not come through a system of direct concern with ìpeople pleasing.î  We can like or respect an individual as a person and not agree with their opinions or choices on all issues.  The spirit of our CGA group conscience shall allow for each individual to have freedom to make good choices, based upon unselfishness and fairness for all.  Freedom of choice is ours, judgment is for God to decide.  As we embrace and accept each other as equals and focus on helping one another, then relief from our common problems and recovery from our addictions is certainly achievable.  

 

TRADITION THREE

 

Our only requirement for CGA membership is to have a sincere desire to change, to cease practice of all illegal activity and rejecting any related harmful addictions.  

 

 

   

 

 

 

4

Tradition Three, continued:

 

We shall never refuse nor reject anyone suffering from our common problems of addiction to a destructive lifestyle surrounding illegal activities or gang involvement.  When an individual comes to CGA with a genuine desire to abandon any forms of illegal activity and disassociate themselves from gang involvement, we shall welcome them and encourage their intentions to recover.  We ought not place any demands upon them, nor suggest to hold them accountable to any form of contract or agreement regarding any matters relating to finances or CGA concepts involving recovery.  We may all come, go and return to CGA as we so please.

 

Whenever any three individuals who genuinely desire to withdraw from criminal activity and gangs come together with this common commitment to recover from their addictions, they may call themselves a CGA group, providing that as a group or individually they are willing to sincerely adhere to the principles and traditions of Criminals & Gangmembers Anonymous.

 

TRADITION FOUR

 

Each CGA Group is responsible for itself, relying upon a group consciousness for all decisions for the greater good, rather than individual decisions on matters affecting the group as a whole or other groups within the CGA community.  

 

Each individual CGA group shall be self-efficient and self-functioning with respect to and adherence of CGAís principles and traditions.  Each group will be responsible for itís own decisions developed through the choices agreed upon by its ìgroup conscience.î  However, when the plans of one group concern or affect the 

well-being or activities of any other CGA groups, such groups being affected should be contacted and any issues of concern resolved to the common good of all concerned.  

 

 

 

 

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Tradition Six, continued:

 

Each CGA recovery group is responsible to and equally protects CGA as a whole.  To accomplish this, we shall avoid any problems concerning money or property of any sort, and the human desire to seek power, authority or selfish forms of recognition that can easily distract our attention away from achieving our primary ìspiritual questî to resolve our common problems and recover from our addictions.

 

There may be property or business affairs to arise that could genuinely become an asset to improve CGA operations or the organization as a whole.  On such matters, it is a wise advantage to detach them from CGA through separate purchase or incorporation and overall operations.  This will protect the integrity and functions of CGA through dividing and maintaining ìthings of material valueî entirely separate from our ìspiritual purpose.î

 

No CGA group should ever go into any business for themselves.  Although we cooperate with others outside of CGA, this shall not mean that our CGA groups may become affiliated or endorse others, whether it be an individual or a business.  A CGA group shall not make obligations to anyone directly or by implying ìthey mayî through any unclear, undefined terms.

 

TRADITION SEVEN

 

Each CGA group is committed to being fully 

      self-supporting, neither asking for nor accepting any 

      contributions from outside resources.

 

It is a general practice and commitment of the collective CGA

organization that any of our fellowship groups be entirely self

supporting through each groupís voluntary contributions system as

expressed through the plan offered by the CGA General Service

Board.  We genuinely feel that each group should function according to

the CGA suggested plan.  

 

 

 

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Tradition Seven, continued:

 

This will avoid any public solicitation of funds by using the name of Criminals & Gangmembers Anonymous in a manner that carries great potential of endangering CGA as a whole.  Also, avoiding the acceptance of any substantial amounts, in any form of gifts, or receiving contributions that may include some type of obligation would be an unwise decision.

 

Our General Service Board also encourages all CGA group treasuries to avoid accumulating funds in group accounts that can not be justified as having a specific CGA purpose, with the exception of maintaining an adequate ìemergency reserve.î  Our reason for taking this position, as stated above, is to: (1) Never allow wants or desires to distract us away from our primary purpose, (2) To prevent the spiritual integrity of CGAís name as a whole, and (3) To prevent potential problems between any individuals of CGA over unnecessary conflicts or serious disputes over any forms of property, money or desires for authority or control at any time. 

 

TRADITION EIGHT

 

Criminals & Gangmembers Anonymous is a self-help organization of recovering addicts, not professionals; but we may, whenever needed, employ special workers in service centers of CGA.

 

For our specific purpose, Criminals & Gangmembers Anonymous shall define ìprofessionalismî as any occupation which requires special study or training to include clerical, accountants, legal, maintenance or counseling which requires fees and the hiring of qualified persons to perform these functions. 

 

If ever CGA offices or fellowship groups should have a definite need to employ ìspecial professional workersî on a temporary or long term basis, we should first seek to employ qualified individuals from within 

    

 

 

 

8

Tradition Eight, continued:

 

the CGA fellowship to perform any necessary services for which we could otherwise seek to hire non CGA participants to fulfill such jobs needed.  Our only exception to the above is regarding work which we consider to be normal ìtwelve step sponsorship responsibilityî which will never, with respect to our traditions, be paid for.

 

 

TRADITION NINE

 

CGA shall avoid rigid operations within the CGA organization; yet upon necessity may develop special committees or service boards responsible only to CGA.

 

Every CGA fellowship group should make every effort to ìkeep it simpleî regarding structure and overall operations in their particular group.  To fairly rotate group leaders in a reasonable time frame is a wise practice.  Each group shall elect their own officers based upon a majority of the groupís approval.  Service boards or committees within any fellowship group is for those specific groups to decide upon, depending upon their own internal group needs.

 

The Central Service Headquarters is virtually connected to, extending from our main service office.  It shall be the ìcenter of servicesî for our fellowship groups.  It will be primarily responsible for general information and assistance to groups and the public; will receive and answer correspondence; and distribute literature.

 

 

TRADITION  TEN

 

 Criminals & Gangmembers Anonymous shall have no  

       opinions, or take any stand on issues, situations or 

       controversies outside of CGA, and the name of CGA 

       should never be drawn into any types of public 

       controversy.  

 

 

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Tradition Ten, continued:

 

At every level of the CGA fellowship, a group or individual should never involve CGA in controversial issues, debates or situations.  In particular, any matters with regard to politics, different types of criminal or substance abuse rehabilitation, religions, or any other belief system.  We shall also respect the works of any other recovery groups outside of CGA.  Criminals & Gangmembers Anonymous fellowship groups and its individual participants thereof, oppose no one, for any reason concerning matters outside of CGA.  Any forms of public or private controversy can never have a positive end result that could potentially serve any benefit.  Therefore, concerning wall matters of conflict, CGA as a whole will not express any views whatsoever.  

 

 

 

TRADITION ELEVEN

 

  As members of CGA, our relationship with the public is 

        based only on their attraction to us, rather than our 

        promotion of CGA to them; our personal and group 

        anonymity should always be safeguarded at all levels of 

        press, radio, films and other public materials.

 

Our relationship with the general public should be one of cooperation.  Yet, we shall accomplish ìcooperationî while also protecting ìpersonal anonymity.î  CGA defines such, by meaning that every participant of our collective fellowship shall withhold the name of Criminals & Gangmembers Anonymous (CGA) and last names of every participant when speaking for oneís self.  We believe too, that CGA should avoid, at all times, ìhighly visibleî advertising.  All individual ìfull namesî and ìpicturesî of participants of CGA should not be on televised broadcast, a video, film or publicly printed in newspapers, magazines, etc.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tradition Eleven, continued:

 

CGAís ìpublic relationsî is guided by ìattractionî instead of promotion.  This shall be defined as meaning that participants of CGA need not go out into the public to urge, attempt to sell or popularize our purpose, recovery process or personal achievements.  These issues are better explained and our usefulness earned through quiet practiced examples of our progress in recovery.  There is never any need to praise ourselves in the public eye.

 

 

 

TRADITION TWELVE

 

  Our unity and the foundation of all CGA traditions is 

        guided by ìspiritual principlesî rather than

        ìself-centerednessî, reminding each member of CGA

        to practice principles of respect, balance, harmony, 

        compassion and loving kindness, refraining from taking 

        other peopleís inventory and having self-defeating 

        judgmental attitudes.

 

Our spiritual principles, we believe, is our guiding force that builds and maintains unity among us; is the foundation of our personal recovery and will protect us as individuals and CGA as a whole from problems or controversy.  The spiritual foundation of CGA guides us to always seek harmony, respect, understanding, compassion and loving kindness through a peaceful manner of living; carrying the message of recovery to others in need, and through doing so effectively, we strengthen our own characters.

 

Our twelfth tradition reminds us that as we keep in mind any of our twelve steps or twelve traditions, we shall place these CGA principles before judging any personalities.  We will refrain from taking other peopleís inventory and having any self-defeating judgmental attitudes.  We should practice genuine humility, meaning to avoid being rude, over-powering, deceitful, aggressive or violent.  We should never harm anyone or pretend to be self-righteous or overly self-important.  

 

 

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Tradition Twelve, continued:

 

Let us avoid making someone feel down to bring ourselves up.  We shall concentrate our efforts toward our own self-improvement.

 

Remember, that any faults we seem to find in others should show us the greater defects we still possess.  We are exactly the way we are and so is the next person.  Let it be so.  As we practice these fair principles, the many great blessings given to us will never spoil us, instead guide us further into a spiritual awakening of our true purpose.

 

 

 

Our thoughts, words and actions will clearly define 

who we are 

through the sum of 

our character.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

 

TENACITY,

Sticking to what we have to do to make itóis the key to Success

 

- Richard M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CGA-085

 

 

If you are interested in obtaining further information on CGA 

or wish to start a CGA group in your community and/or 

institution you my contact us at:

 

 

 

 

 

 

CGA Services, Inc. 

2049 South Santa Fe Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90021-2919

E-mail: petermeji@aol.com

Website: www.CGAnon.org

Phone: (213) 438-4833

Fax:     (213) 489-7601

 

 

CRIMINALS & GANGMEMBERS ANONYMOUS

Tradition Four, continued:

 

At no time should any respective group, individual participant, representative or CGA Service Office ever take an action that creates potential of seriously affecting the CGA organization as a whole without first contacting and having the explicit written approval of the ìGeneral Service Boardî which requires agreement of the trustees who create the decision making quorum.  On these such issues it is the responsibility of the General Service Board to make a decision in the best interest of our entire CGA organization collectively.

 

 

TRADITION FIVE

 

The primary purpose of every CGA group is to offer full and caring support to one another in developing a positive way of living free of destructive criminal activities.  

 

Every participant in a CGA group equally shares one ultimate purpose:  to seek and obtain recovery from our common destructive addictions to illegal activity and gang involvement.  This one essential purpose extends to our commitment to help others who still live in the grips of our common problems, whenever we can reasonably do so.

 

As we respect the nature of addiction in general, we fully understand the consequences of its affects through our wide variety of experiences.  Thus, it is to our best interest to focus directly on our crime (s) of choice that are governed under the control of addiction.  By doing so, we may ensure that our individual recovery needs will not be unnecessarily distracted.

 

TRADITION SIX

 

No CGA group will ever involve its group, or CGA as a whole in any issues or matters outside CGA, where concerns of money, property or personal gain and desires for prestige could divert us from our primary purpose in recovery.  

 

6

Where the

journey

begins.

 

 

 

WHAT THE 12 WISDOMS MEAN:

 

 

Knowledge is important, it is obtained through study so we can learn what is useful.

 

Then we must take the knowledge studied and apply it through behavior and actions.

 

With both knowledge and continual practice we gain wisdom.

 

Wisdom is the mixture of both knowledge and practical application, which makes recovery possible.  

 

 

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WISDOM ONE

 

We physically come to CGA meetings and events whenever and wherever possible - making a commitment to self-improvement, one day at a time.

 

We show up to CGA meetings and events.  We physically put ourselves around the strength, encouragement and support we need to meet the challenge of change.  We are gradually learning how sly, slick and wicked ìaddictionî works.  And we realize too, that the criminal within us, with many stubborn attitudes, warped beliefs and habits will naturally resist.  While we may attempt to find reasons and excuses not to change, those who have trudged the pathway of recovery before us, will give us the strength and support necessary to change.

 

Coming to meetings and coming to know other CGA members are critical first steps in recovery.  This keeps us ever aware that we cannot find recovery alone and that the support we need is available.  Showing up to CGA also keeps us awake to our personal responsibility for and to ourselves to change and improve on a daily basis.

 

 

  WISDOM TWO

 

We share our truth, and when other members of CGA share with us, we consciously and sincerely put an earnest effort to listen to the truth of their experiences.

 

We look for and listen to - the similarities that unite us, rather than search for differences that separate us.  We do not pre-judge people, as we know that we are more alike than we are different.  Our addiction to a destructive criminal lifestyle of illegal activities, drugs, alcohol or other destructive behaviors is lethal and powerful.  Our wanting to recover and have decent lives is our common bond.  Honesty with ourselves, open-mindedness to CGA principles and willingness to change through practice are key components to our process.

 

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WISDOM THREE

 

We are willing to be of service to others, putting forth physical effort to help others in the group prepare for meetings and group needs and activities.

 

In doing so, we practice true humility, through unselfishness and being responsible as part of the CGA family of recovery.  We are each links in the CGA chain, connecting us together in strength and unity.  The service work of those before us aided our recovery.  Today our services continue to aid others in the CGA group and sets a positive example for those to come after us.

 

 

WISDOM FOUR

 

We put effort into reading CGA literature.  Maintaining honesty, open-mindedness and willingness to learn the truth about ourselves, the destructive lifestyle we lived, and the solutions to our common problems.

 

When reading CGA literature we do not avoid words or skip over sentences we do not understand.  We ask for help whenever needed.  We realize that words or sentences have a purpose - an important meaning to us and opens a door for better understanding.  Knowledge empowers us to gain insight and wisdom; therefore, is the gateway towards the journey of inner healing and the reward of serenity.

 

 

WISDOM FIVE

 

We continue to learn from the wisdom shared by the collective CGA group experience, strength and hope.

 

 

 

 

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Wisdom Five, continued;

 

We have learned the importance of opening the windows in our minds.  To continue taking in new information, to absorb the knowledge offered from the experiences of CGA family members.  We practice whatever is useful, from both meetings and individuals to exchange our problems for the solutions to put our lives into proper perspective.  Knowledge, through the experiences, strength and hope of others, coupled with self-awareness empowers personal change. 

 

 

WISDOM SIX

 

We share our truth with others, always mentally aware and alert when sharing our truth with CGA members or others.

 

We do not share our experiences to glorify our past in front of others, nor attempt to make ourselves appear bigger or better than anyone else.  We do not skip over or avoid the painful truth of the grave mistakes we made in thinking and actions, nor forget to explain the negative consequences that always followed in our lives.

 

Neither do we hopelessly cling to the past; as we understand that ìliving in the pastî makes us unavailable for living in the present, ìtoday.î  By sharing our pain of yesterday removes confusion and itís power to continue dominating our thinking and lives.  Replacing the lies with the truth moves us towards the present and a better tomorrow.

 

By sharing ìourî truth as it is - we also do others great service by giving them the tools, through knowledge, to avoid making the same mistakes that we made in the past.

 

 

 

 

 

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WISDOM FIVE

 

We continue to learn from the wisdom shared by the collective CGA group experience, strength and hope.

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

meet the challenge of change.  We are gradually learning how sly, slick and wicket ìaddictionî works.  And we realize too, that the criminal within us, with many stubborn attitudes, warped beliefs and habits will naturally resist.  While we may attempt to find reasons and excuses not to change, those who have trudged the pathway of recovery before us, will give us the strength and support necessary to change.

WISDOM SEVEN

 

We earnestly seek to understand our feelings and emotional patterns by courageously seeking to understand the roots, of what lies behind them as they arise - and to learn how to express them in 

     non-destructive ways; avoiding unnecessary injury to 

     others and ourselves.

 

Through courage of facing our own feelings and emotions helps us to understand and work through our problems.  We can stop and change a course of destruction in progress.  We begin to be conscious of the fact that we are often injured or hurt emotionally, not so much by other people, but more so by our own fears, negative attitudes and our responses.  Taking deep breaths to face the truth of our own feelings will cultivate positive emotional responses.  As we become more forgiving of ourselves then show empathy for others, peace and good will are rewards.

 

WISDOM EIGHT

 

We secure the CGA family harmony and unity by earnestly keeping our feelings and emotions in check; understanding that we are each responsible for our own feelings and emotions.

 

We understand that our feelings and emotions can affect everyone as a whole.  Positive feelings and emotions can conserve and preserve group harmony and unity.  These are important principles of ìlifeî that we remind one another to cultivate.  An emotionally balanced collective group will provide everyone, individually, a safe and loving environment to heal and grow.

 

WISDOM NINE

 

We are aware of the difference between selfish and selfless, and are not confused in our motives when our assistance as a CGA member is called for.

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Wisdom Nine, continued:

 

As we begin to allow ourselves to share our real feelings for other members, we see and discover the needs and feelings of other people very clearly.  We seek to understand the feelings of others and ourselves to have empathy to genuinely care when being of service to others within our CGA family.  We have found that this ensures true integrity and responsibility which will not allow us to be diverted from our common goal towards recovery.

 

WISDOM  TEN

 

  We, in faith, seek and learn to accept life on lifeís 

        terms; spiritually understanding that our experiences 

        were all necessary for us in our journey to become 

        better people for ourselves and as God wills us to be 

        help to others.  

 

We are each responsible in seeking Godís enlightment to live decently and to show good will towards others.  Godís wisdom and guidance through prayers and meditation will improve our personal conscious awareness of true purpose in recovery.  The more we accept life on lifeís terms - rather than make excuses and build walls to reject recovery, and strive forward with courage and commitment to live along spiritual lines, the more serene and beautiful life becomes.  

 

WISDOM ELEVEN

 

  We, in the CGA family, have a definite purpose, 

        inspired by God to be living examples that change for 

        the criminal and gangmember is possible; as we focus 

        on our common goals towards recovery.

 

We now understand how we became outcasts from society with justification. With our histories full of painful, destructive and powerful experiences we know God alone, choose to restore us to 

 

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Wisdom Eleven, continued:

 

genuine usefulness and effectiveness for a greater reason and purpose that was unknown to us.  We will not be foolish to tempt our addictions.  We will not allow self-seeking ìegoî to mislead us to believe that we can now walk away.  Recovery is not a limited program, it involves a lifetime process.  If we hope to maintain our recovery from our addictions, we must continue being responsible to do our work.

 

 

WISDOM TWELVE

 

  We carry the message of recovery to others like us, 

        being the gift that we are; sharing what we have been 

        privileged to enjoy with others, as a gift without strings.

 

As we become more solid in recovery and begin to lead decent lives, we attract others by our living example.  We simply share, what we have, never force ourselves on others.  We understand that for those that do not believe that they can change yet, are no different than we once were.  We shall encourage them.  By steadily progressing to live better lives through daily application of CGA principles, not emphasizing on perfection - but rather progress, others like us may seek what we have.  We will make ourselves available to anyone.  We will help everyone in need who asks for help.  By sincerely freely giving to others what we have been blessed to receive, we are surely ensuring that we are blessed with a more lasting, meaningful recovery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

MapsÖ provide a safe direction to travel.  They are especially helpful to guide us when weíre too proud to admit we donít know how to reach a certain place comfortably, avoiding frustration, conflict or waste of valuable time and resources.

 

Maps also help refresh the memory of those who forgot the safe path to reach an important destination.

 

Our 12 Traditions to Safety can be simply seen as our road map to unity, service and recovery in CGA.

 

 

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