Explaining Epilepsy to a Friend… 

Phylis Feiner Johnson's avatarEpilepsy Talk

Explaining epilepsy to a friend is no easy matter. Sometimes they may be scared. Some may be curious. Some may want to help. Some may want to flee.

But, obviously, those who care will want to understand you. For those friends, here are some brief epilepsy facts:

What is epilepsy?

It’s like a storm in the brain. Seizures happen when there is unusual electrical activity. Your brain cells are constantly sending out electrical signals that travel along nerves to the rest of the body.

These signals tell the muscles to move. During a seizure, a person’s muscles tighten and relax rapidly or stop moving completely. Seizures come on suddenly, and people who have them can’t control their muscles while they’re having a seizure.

If too many brain cells are sending signals at the same time, it causes an overload, and a person may pass out and shake all over. People…

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Trauma Journaling Prompts

Don't Lose Hope's avatarDon't Lose Hope

“Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.” – Christina Baldwin

Writing is an outlet which can help us process trauma. It helps us sort out feelings, and gives the pain a voice. It’s a way of bearing witness to the messiness, and chaos. It also reveals progress, and ways in which we’ve changed.

Instructions for Journaling

We are going to journal for the next 7 days. Find a quiet place where you feel comfortable, and won’t be disturbed.

Each day, take one of the listed prompts and try to write honestly and freely.

Note: Some of the prompts relate specifically to processing trauma. Others, are focused more on self-care.

Prompt 1: Write down the things you are willing to share about your trauma. Also, think about the things you don’t want to share – or talk about – right now. This might include specific facts and…

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The one where I shared a poem I wrote, hoping it doesn’t suck too hard.

The one where I shared a poem I wrote, hoping it doesn’t suck too hard.

Abominable Bell Blog's avatarAbominable Bell Blog

If this truly is the end
I just want to say, you know what?
Time with you all, those pieces dotted and dashed inside that maelstrom I lived in?
They made it worth it.
Dancing with my dad to ‘Love really hurts without you’ He probably won’t even remember. But that was joy dad. That was living.
I have soundtracks for all of you.
It’s my time machine.
Live vicariously through those songs. Through those times.
Let’s all be at a fishing presentation in the late 80’s
Let’s all dance in front of the disco lights, shocking flares of primary colours
We’re all wearing our best, we all have the shiniest shoes.
Measured by Clarks.
Big glasses of Vimto on the table probably delivered by the Pop man.
I’m tired.
I’ve danced too much for such a small person.
I’m just going to lie down on the cushioned pew, rest…

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Salvation and Forgiveness

Last night as I was listening to my music library on Amazon music I came across this wonderful hymn of Salvation and Forgiveness written by Herbert H.Booth. The tune is called The Penitent’s plea.

1 Saviour, hear me while before thy feet
I the record of my sins repeat.
Stained with guilt, myself abhorring,
Filled with grief, my soul outpouring;
Canst thou still in mercy think of me,
Stoop to set my shackled spirit free,
Raise my sinking heart and bid me be
Thy child once more?

Refrain:
Grace there is my every debt to pay,
Blood to wash my every sin away,
Power to keep me spotless day by day,
For me, for me!

2 All the memories of deeds gone by
Rise within me and thy power defy;
With a deathly chill ensnaring,
They would leave my soul despairing.
Saviour, take my hand, I cannot tell
How to stem the tides that round me swell,
How to ease my conscience, or to quell
My flaming heart.

3 Yet why should I fear? Hast thou not died
That no seeking soul should be denied?
To that heart, its sins confessing,
Canst thou fail to give a blessing?
By the love and pity thou hast shown,
By the blood that did for me atone,
Boldly will I kneel before thy throne,
A pleading soul.

4 All the rivers of thy grace I claim,
Over every promise write my name;
As I am I come, believing,
As thou art thou dost, receiving,
Bid me rise a free and pardoned slave,
Master o’er my sin, the world, the grave,
Charging me to preach thy power to save
To sin bound souls.