This is one unbelievable story that I’ve ever read.

The Times on line ran a story about Tom Whipple, an eighteen year old. Tom is a typical pre-adult who spent a lot of time on the Internet until one day when he became hooked to the website Freedomain Radio (FDR), run from Canada by Stefan Molyneux.  Molyneux describes himself as “the largest and most popular philosophy show on the web”. But Tom’s mother has a different description for it. She calls it a cult. 

Tom religiously listened to Molyneux’s radio show and participated in the website. He even called in to discuss his “problem” with his family. One day, Tom decided to leave his family home in accordance with the process he heard on the radio show as “defooing” – freeing himself from his “family of origin”. This term was coined by the founder of the website. Now he wants absolutely no contact with his parents or his siblings. Throughout this article it appears that Tom is going through a growning up crisis. It also appears to me that Tom is very self-centered and perhaps a narcissist. Everything seems to revolve around him and he leaves no room for comprimise or understanding.

I can relate somewhat to this family’s situation. You see when my sons were at this age, they were going through feelings of imminent emancipation and ready to take on the adult world. At this age, the parent-child relationship has to grow from being authoritative to working on relationships. Acknowledging that your child has grown up and is moving into adulthood and providing support and guidance in their decision-making is a good way to handle eighteen to twenty-one year olds.

Is Molyneux creating a cult with his website? According to the article, Molyneux said about 20 young adults “defooed” from their family. You can make the decision if this is a cult by reading the full article at http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article5485325.ece.

Until later,

Linda

Every year I work on making a New Year’s Resolution.

What is a New Year’s Resolution? According to Wikipdia a New Year’s Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year’s Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned.

For years, I didn’t even try to make one because I knew that in a couple of days I wouldn’t be successful. But this year, 2009, I’ve decided to make resolutions and stick to them. Why? With the world as topsy-turvy as it is, I believe that if everyone makes an effort at a resolution(s) maybe things will get better for all of us.

What are my resolutions? I have several of them.

First, I’ve decided to attend church services more often than I have done in previous years. Even a one time attendance would be an improvement, if you know what I mean. But I’m serious and plan to attend church at least twice or three times a month. Got to give back to God because he has given me many blessings throughout the years.

Second, I’ve decided to loose those extra pounds that I’ve been meaning to lose.

Third, write more web blogs for Lindanotes.org. and I don’t mean just my wonderful blogs on Dancing with the Stars. I want to write more thoughtful and informational blogs for everyone to read and enjoy.

Finally, to save more money and pay off bills. Now this last one I believe should be everyone’s New Year’s resolution. Do I really need that flat screen TV I’ve been thinking about buying for the last two months? Not really, it would be nice but I can live without one. Do I really need that extra pair of shoes? No, I have plenty of shoes. Besides many people are resoling their shoes and saving money. So for this one, I have a twofer! Saving money and paying off bills. How easy was that?

I’m going to continue working on my resolutions throughout 2009 and not give up on them.

So what’s your New Year’s Resolution? Let’s form a support group for New Year’s Resolutions. We can work together on keeping it throughout the year.

Until later,

Linda