Month: April 2024

Just writing

Not our pet

nhpureandsimple

What animals make the best/worst pets?

The Arabs and people in the Mideterinian region in general like cats. They are such adorable creatures that make your heart melt as they rub themselves against your leg, or give you one of their begging meows.

One day, my family and I moved to a new house. The area was so beautiful but so quiet especially at night. Then, a few days later, and just before going to bed,  I heard meowing at the doorstep. My husband and my boys, who were still young at that time, went downstairs and opened the door. There, they found our cute night visitor; a tabby taking shelter under our small shelter. When I joined them, the cat was still meowing at the door. She had a collar, but apparently all she wanted was to get inside our house. I let her in and she straightaway started rubbing her wet fur against us. Later on, I discovered that it was the pet of my next door neighbour. So, she wasn’t a lost cat. From that day on, the cat became our popular and so welcomed guest. 

We had moved again, but  I still remember that cat and its name, and still have its photos.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Money-free service

nhpureandsimple

What job would you do for free?

Years ago, one of my neighbours, a Muslim but not from an Arabic country, asked me to teach her daughter to read and write in arabic and wanted to pay for the lessons. I welcomed the idea but insisted on teaching the little girl for free. When she first asked me, the thought of earning money didn’t even cross my mind. But then, I was taken aback when she asked me how much I am going to charge her for the lesson.

There’s nothing wrong or embarrasing about charging others when you are doing them certain job and giving them some of your time. But, that, in most cases, depends on the person’s motivations and the workload of the job. Taking both into consideration,  I decided to make this job for free for certain reasons; First, I was already teaching my children Arabic at home which means I am used to the job and had the materials. Second, she was my neighbour, and do we charge our neighbours for doing them a favour? For me, that cannot be. Third, I wasn’t planning to make it a business. It was merely a sort of a small help I can offer to the little child.

I did that again, and I will do it more if need be. Although that was money- free service, I earned things more precious than money; a child’s smile, a pleasant mememory and my neighbour’s appreciation.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Two groups

nhpureandsimple

What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?

I am not a fan of the Olympics. Yes, it’s an international event represent and gather people from all the continents. Yes, it is encouraging athletes all over the world to train hard and long to measure their abilities and prove their strength. At the end, the best  will win and be awarded a medal or a trophy. The winners will receive cheers and a good round of applause from the audience, their fans. But that’s it. The compition is mainly held for that end, for its participants and their audience. But, what if you don’t belong to all of that?

Some people like to have their own rhythm that suits their style and abilities. They don’t wish to win a running race, but they do wish to go for a walk with good company and enjoy some of their time in peace and joy.

Both groups are winners, but with their own pace and reward.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Community involvement!

nhpureandsimple

How would you improve your community?

Honestly, my first reaction to today’s prompt was to laugh. Of course, it is a noble aim to work on improving your community. However, this noble aim brought back a mixture of bittersweet memories about my experience of the very topic.

Some people love to be in charge, to organise things, to make online groups, to give speeches, to be in the spotlight, and to have their photo filling the whole frame. That’s the type of people, I came across, and were, in most cases, calling and taking part in improving the community. I do agree that they indeed do good things; online groups, trips, picnics, paquets, forums, etc. The aim is always to build a strong community that would support its members and represent their existence. But, is that the only way to improve the community? Do things really represent that platonic society, that perfect image?

From my experience, these groups with the ‘do-not-think-I-am-your- boss’ attitude, perhaps improve the external of the community, but not its internal construction. In most cases, taking sides, disputes, and conflicts drive some people to walk away and reject the whole community.

Hence, I have come to learn that it’s you, the person, the human being, who can improve the community. A good parent, a good teacher, a good doctor, a good shopkeeper, clerk, nurse, etc we all can make good role models and create a good generation that can benefit the community. Although we haven’t been created to be perfect, and we all have our flaws, we all are born with a living conscious. If only we could raise above our own ego and interests! If only we could respect each other and spread kindness! If only we could be genuine and trustworthy. Wouldn’t that be a better way to improve our community?

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

That nightmare!

nhpureandsimple

How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?

The pandemic! That was such a hard time. Those long days were like a nightmare that you didn’t wish to live, but couldn’t escape either.

Do you remember the lock down, the vaccines, the masks, and the sanitizers? Didn’t you attempt to strengthen your immune system through food and exercise? Didn’t you keep up to date with the latest news of the pandemic? Wasn’t that what the majority were mainly concerned and worried about?

But then, we made it and lived it with its good and bad days because after every hardship comes ease, and, in most cases, there will be a light, an opening, at the end of the long dark tunnel. That’s how I believe.

I wept. I worried. I tried everything. I looked after my family, and they looked after me. And, with every passing day, I learned to pray more and to hand my worries and fears to my Creator. That’s how I adopted throughout those long days. That’s how my family and I   regained our high spirits, our fun indoors and outdoors, and our close ties together.

Just writing

Early to bed

nhpureandsimple

What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?

“Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Such a beautiful saying that encourages us to make full use of each day in our life.

Rising up with the sun, or better yet, a little before, makes the day so long that even the laziest person on earth will find himself with something to do.

People in olden times used to bake, cook, clean, and do all other housework, as well as outdoor chores before sunset. They would get up before sunrise and go to bed straight aftersunset. With no electricity, no takeaway meals, and no cleaners, they still lived and accomplished more than we do nowadays. And, they socialised every now and then, read books, and maintained close family ties.

It’s a good idea to make and follow your own routine. Since we are different, we will have different priorities and schedules. It would be wonderful if we all manage to keep this ‘early to bed, early to rise’ rule.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla