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: 3 of 134

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...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Teens Humor: I survived raising my teen: 2 of 22

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...
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Mystery: 15 of 124

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...
Creative Writing > Flash Fiction Flash fiction: The only way out: 4 of 24

.Sleep did not come easy, his mind was working too hard, but eventually he drifted into a light sleep. He remained on the bed, drifting in and out of sleep, as the shadows moved slowly around the room. The sun had set and darkness was enveloping the corners of the room when he heard the crunch of glass outside his door. Then...
Politics, News & Issues > Politics in Africa What should be done about the Zimbabwean president?: 2 of 11

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...
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...
Health & Fitness > Depression Experiencing Depression: 17 of 76

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...
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Thrillers: 53 of 129

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 ...
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Surviving an attempted suicide: 6 of 12

Surviving A Suicide Attempt I have written about my feelings and actions which led me to attempt to take my own life. It was a lonely, albeit logical decision which I arrived at without too much thought and definitely no communication with anyone else. I have started at a point after I had been diagnosed by a psychiatrist as...
Politics, News & Issues > Government & Policies Should Russia be feared?: 1 of 1

Is the Russia which has emerged since the Yelstin era a force to be feared? It is true that the economy has improved dramatically. It is also true that Russia is again becoming a military force to be reckoned with. In the West we tend to view both with a degree of suspicion. After all, Russia does have it's hand on the tap w...