I am a Quitter.

And I am okay with that :)

I made some resolutions that, like most Americans, give up on.  I have a good and valid reason though! I made the resolutions that I would read 30 books this year and write 150 blogs (among some others...) These are the 2 that I am quitting.

I have decided that I have absolutely NO free time to read the books I enjoy. I attempted to read this weekend, and it was simply amazing, but I didn't study as much as I should have. I also can't add stress to my life by saying "I NEED TO DO THIS! IT WAS A RESOLUTION!" And, I know I would (have), because when I say something, I do it, if it's a rule, I follow it. It's just who I am....

I did manage to read one book before I quit my resolution :) (1/30, WOOHOO)
It shouldn't count though, because I didn't enjoy it and it was for a class.  The name of the book by "In the Arms of Elders: A Parable of Wise Leadership and Community Building" by William H. Thomas, M.D.

 

The guy who wrote this in a genius.. He went to Harvard Med School and he has a long list of awards and credentials.  He, unfortunately, has 2 kids with idiopathic infantile encephalopathy, which is very rare.  Neither of those two girls will ever see, walk, or talk, but he loves them unconditionally. He also has 3 other children and lives on a farm (lol). 

Anyways, he is the president and founder of the Eden Alternative.  He wishes to make nursing homes into a modern day Eden, filled with animals, plants, fish, birds, and the beauty of nature.  His main vision is to rid the elders of the 3 plagues: loneliness, helplessness, and boredom. In his book, he wishes that all nursing homes would be replaced with Greenhouses, a house of about 10 people with the same care as nursing homes, but in a smaller community and the Eden feel.  

All of the above isn't mentioned until like the last 30 pages... He takes you through this FICTITIOUS long journey  of living in Kalimos.  Kalimos doesn't exist... He made it all up to show you what life COULD be like if we followed the ways of Kalimos. It sucks. I was angry. He made me read this whole story and it wasn't even true?! He was trying to show what life would be like when the 3 plagues of the elderly didn't exist and how the lives of not only the elders, but yourself, would be changed for the better....(The story itself wasn't bad, but the ending messed me up, I didn't like any of it)

Let me state my own opinion now.  I believe that this man lives in a world of hopes and dreams while the rest of us live in reality.  The Eden Alternative is FANTASTIC, in theory. I am all for the connection of old people and children, and birds and plants and flowers and pets.. But it's just not realistic, unfortunately, for lots of reasons.  I do hope the best for this man, and if he can touch even a few lives with his program, I would consider it a success.