Articles written by M M Johns

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About me - M M Johns

Although born in Scotland, too many years ago, more than I care to admit, I was brought up and educated in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia as it was then known) and South Africa.

After a pretty standard education at Christian Brothers' College and a full and active social

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Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Suicide: 9 of 146
On reflection I know that this decision to commit suicide was taken out of despair. Not the kind of despair felt when something goes wrong in life. I have felt the deep sense of loss of a loved one. I have felt the despair of knowing that I would never see them again, the gut wrenching, heart-breaking kind of grief that hurt... More..
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Mystery: 9 of 131
The walls of the office shimmered and wavered as the light from the street below passed through windows streaked with droplets of rain. The light gave the oak desk and leather chairs the appearance of life as it was reflected off the polished surfaces, constantly moving, the sheets of water running down the panes forcing the... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Teen Challenges Humor: I survived raising my teen: 2 of 28
A teenage daughter - a mini tornado; multiple personalities; mood swings; studious and an achiever; party animal. A father who looked at her and still saw the little girl he had taken to the zoo, the park and suffered at the hands of her young aspirations to be a hairdresser. A father who was to experience self doubt and int... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics in Africa What should be done about the Zimbabwean president?: 2 of 22
Is President Robert Mugabe is a cruel, egotistical and authoritarian despot of the worst kind? Will he ever concede and involve himself fully in the power sharing agreement which Thabo Mbeki helped broker? Since coming to power and reaching an agreement with the Ian Smith government regarding representation for whites in his... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Self-portraits: 1 of 6
"To see ourselves as others see us". When putting together a self portrait is this the image which we are trying to project, our perception of how others see us? But that then, in the strictest sense of a self portrait, would rather be a portrait. Or, do we rather try to portray the perception which we hold of ourselves? Bei... More..
Health & Fitness > Therapy & Counseling Finding the right mental health professional for your need: 2 of 10
It is now two and a half years since I was diagnosed as suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety and Depression. Although, in retrospect, it had been building for a number of years prior to this time. I was at work when chest pains accompanied by discomfort in left arm led to checks and tests for a heart attack... More..
Health & Fitness > Depression Experiencing Depression: 25 of 100
A Cheerful Depressive? Hello, my name is Maurice and I am suffering from depression. That sounds like an introduction at a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, doesn't it? However, if you look at the two, alcoholism and depression together, there are some similarities. It can be difficult to admit to suffering from either, there... More..
Health & Fitness > Mental Illness The stigma of a mental health diagnosis: 9 of 28
Hello, my name is Maurice and I am suffering from depression. That sounds like an introduction at a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, doesn't it? However, if you look at the two, alcoholism and depression together, there are some similarities. It can be difficult to admit to suffering from either, as there is often a social s... More..
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Thrillers: 45 of 136
The air inside the small room was hot enough to burn the lungs, stale and rank. There were three odours which were prevalent. Stale urine, sweat and fear. Especailly fear. The fear assailed every bodily sense and lingered as menacing and oppressive as the heat. A small barred window was set high on the wall and the sunlight ... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Remembering: 14 of 34
Remembering Not Thinking Just Remembering It has been said that it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. The implication is that the love has been lost, however, the love remains and grows, captured forever in the memories which are borne in the recesses of the mind. As time moves inexorably onwar... More..