Hello and welcome - my name is John McDevitt (it's my real one) and I'm at your service as one of Helium's Senior Site Stewards.

We're all neighbors, so let's share. I'm here to help, to listen and to make things happen - but I need your help and expertise. Questions? Suggestions? Interested in writing about a new topic? Contact me through the "contact this writer" link on my Articles page. I'd love to hear from you.

I'm excited about the possibilities. Possibilities is a great word isn't it. Let's all make it happen together....

I spent 30 years as an architect until I "retired" from the profession two years ago. Since then I've been writing on Helium and studying copywriting to keep the creative juices flowing. I have one paid copy assignment under my belt and am always looking for my next client.

I've learned a lot about myself and about writing during the past two years. I think I always wanted to be a writer, but never took the time. That's all changed now. The best way to become a good writer is to write, and write, and write...

I spent 3 years, 7 months, 5 days and a wake-up in the Air Force during the 60's. Went to Penn State to study architecture under the G.I. bill during the 70's.

I grew up in an Irish Catholic family during the 40's, 50's and early 60's. I spent my paper boy earnings in the pinball machines.

That's enough of the "way back machine." If you'd like to contact me please use this email address: johnmcde@operamail.com. Here's hoping the spam bots don't scoop it up.

My passion is ...

Discovery, creativity, photography, writing

I know too much about ...

too little. The beginnings of wisdom?

My childhood ambition ...

I did a lot of daydreaming and I still do. I could say I wanted to become a civil engineer. Glad I didn't.

My favorite memory ...

Have to think about this one for awhile

Why I write ...

because I've been a voracious reader all my life...maybe now it's my turn

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

I love reading Sci-Fi & fantasy, never watch the boob tube, listen to classical music (Mozart is best for writing by), Jazz and the Blues.

My first job ...

Paper boy probably doesn't count. I worked in the regional accounting office of a large corporation doing billing the hard way.

My best moment ...

Happens every night when I first get into bed as I drift off

My inspiration ...

The universe

Society & Lifestyle > Personal Morals & Values Pitfalls of perfectionism

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Imagine a solitary person seated in a huge, windowless waiting room, staring vacantly ahead, life outside passing by unnoticed. Why are they sitting there? Are they waiting for the perfect opportunity that never arrives? Maybe they're waiting for the ideal person to come along but who never does. Do they huddle alone because they judge themselves not good enough?

Waiting and never accepting. The curse of perfectionism paralyzes the perfectionist, condemns them to a life in limbo and puts a life infused with creative energy on permanent hold because perfectionists are never ready.

Perf...

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