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What is Helium

About me - newcomet

Elaine Burgher is a psychotherapist and writer living in Chicago, Illinois. She runs groups both for money awareness and other addictive behaviors.

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Society & Lifestyle > Personal Morals & Values How to love your life: 4 of 37
The other day, I was walking and talking with a friend by Lake Michigan. The water was sky blue, and powder puff clouds floated overhead. It is the coolest July in fifty years here with a light breeze. In other words, a perfect, life-loving walk! Part of our conversational subject matter was that I was diagnosed with cancer ... More..
Health & Fitness > Diet & Weight Loss How many calories should you eat: 6 of 29
How many calories should you eat? There is only one answer to that question. Stop counting! I know, what I am saying is blasphemy. Stop immediately. Do not count one more calorie. In your mind's eye, visualize a lovely breakfast table. At one place setting is a beautiful fruit salad with watermelon, grapes, strawberries and b... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Constitutional & Contract Law Should a woman have the right to choose abortion?: 90 of 428
"If men could become pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament", an old quote drifts across the horizon of my mind.The question posed in this debate is not should abortion be legal, it is not about the ethical, moral or medical necessity of abortion either. Those are all thorny, excruciating issues and the debate over those thi... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: The masks we wear: 38 of 172
A true tale. I dreamed my face was on fire. Melting, burning, suddenly unrecognizable. I told the person I was not being truthful with the entire truth about my dream. "It sounds like... you aren't being yourself", she remarked.... being a very accomplished interpreter of dreams. My mask melted, and merged into ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Government & Policies Should smoking be allowed in public places?: 82 of 363
My brother-in-law will not visit anyone's home unless they have ashtrays visibly displayed. Otherwise he says, he feels "unwelcome". This is the narcissism of the addictive personality. Their very actions can bring significant illness or even death to others, and yet the over-riding concern is for the satisfaction of their o... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Sorrow: 38 of 167
I have WHAT?! I was swept up in a busy, happy whirl. Work and children, friends, family, cooking, laundry, long walks by Lake Michigan. Then the lead limbed fatigue, the pain that doubles me over. Suddenly standing in my doctor's office trying to hear what he is saying. I have what? It will always return, like s... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Self-Awareness & Realization How to improve your personality: 5 of 21
When most people suggest "improving" our personality, they are actually referring to eliminating irritating behavioral quirks or becoming more interested in other people. That is all well and good for the article on changing our personalities. But how do I improve upon me? The only way is to become more and more deeply myself... More..
Personal Finance > Investing Basics How to invest small amounts of money: 6 of 23
The first and most crucial advice in investing small amounts of money is the same as investing moderate and large amounts as well. Wake Up! It is virtually impossible to invest, save or spend sanely when we are asleep at the wheel or to put it in a more sophisticated manner, operating without consciousness. There are many in... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Good-bye: 35 of 132
Case closed!You close your heartas you pronounce yourverdict.You have decidedhow things will benot just for yourselfbut also for me.We will amble alongin this half-life,neither attachednor apart,Hamstrung in limbo.I start awake,like a sleepy studentcalled on suddenlyby a professor.Case Open,I cry.Goodbye! More..
Religion & Spirituality > Heaven, Hell & Afterlife Can you get to heaven by being good?: 13 of 48
"Evbody wanna go to Heaven, nobody wanna to die", the spiritual tune wafts through my head There is a brilliant kernel of spiritual truth in this song. So very often we want something dazzling, amazing, in the case of this debate, Heaven; but we do NOT want to do what we would have to do to get it. In some situations, we don'... More..