The World O’Eden

by, Dr. Bill Thomas

One of the best and most valuable parts of the the Eden Alternative movement is the collaboration that goes on between people living in different countries and on different continents.

In the early years of Eden Jude and I believed that the core ten principles might have to be changed to answer the needs of specific countries.  We wondered if loneliness would really be a problem in South America or if elders living in Europe really did struggle with the burden of helplessness.

Experience (and some really amazing people) quickly showed us that, at the deepest level, the basic beliefs espoused by the Eden movement really do apply worldwide. It is also true that the practices required to meet those challenges really vary all the world over.

In recent years, I have become fascinated by the way the older members of the movement have taken to mentoring and helping to develop the younger people. It turns out that we all need a little help sometimes.

In Ireland Stephen Cassidy has taken hold of the Eden Alternative and he is determined to see it grow.  You should take a look at Stephen’s intro the Eden video (it’s terrific) and visit his Indiegogo page. He is trying to jumpstart Eden with trainings across the Emerald Isle.

Why should we lend him a hand?

1. We are all in this together. When we help each other we all get stronger.
2. We all need to invest in and help to develop the next generation of Eden leaders.
3. We can all learn from Stephen’s work and the energy he is bringing to the challenges he faces in Ireland. His struggles are, in many important ways, our struggles.

Jude and I have already chipped in to make a dream of Eden in Ireland come to life.

Will you?