Month: October 2025

Just writing, personal thoughts

Talk, so I Can See You

nhpureandsimple

This is one of the most special and poetic expressions in the Arabic language. 

Isn’t it beautiful?

And what a brilliant choice to use talk and see!

When you talk, you simply… talk, spontaneously, casually, using your voice, your feelings, your words. In other words, when you become you, the other can hear, see, and know the real you better. Whatever you are and whatever experience, profession, or talent you have, the other can’t see any of it until you talk. 

But things doesn’t rely only on the one who talks; listeners have their important share too. A listener’s good eyesight and hearing are not enough if they really want to see the one talking. To really see someone, is to use your heart. That’s why the blind and the deaf can see you as well as anyone else.

Not everyone who listens, truly listens. Have you heard of this saying before? May I make this tiny addition: Not everyone who listens, truly listens —or truly sees. 

Even when you read a story, you come to know the characters better through their dialogue. The more they talk, the more you see them, unless you’re not interested in the book at all.

By the way, don’t you agree that writing is one of the most creative and artistic ways of talking? 

I do—for some people, talk flows more in writing, and see deepens more in others’ writings. These are the same ones who believe talk lives in writing, and see broadens through others’ writings.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

The Lark

nhpureandsimple

That little, talented bird with a beautiful voice that is music itself. I’m not sure I have seen one before, but I imagine he must be among those nesting in the nearby trees. 

Well … why did he crossed my mind today? 

Simply because of the book I have just finished. The Song of the Lark, which, by the way is not about the bird species. 

Can you  guess what it symbolises in the story?

It’s not hard to guess for birds, in most cases, symbolise freedom and ambition.

There’s a poem about this bird, but I haven’t read it yet. Perhaps another time. 

Away from the book and the poem, doesn’t the bird, with its unique name, feel like a musical poem? Full of energy and happiness? Beside it’s a migratory creature with an adventurous spirit. 

Watch out for him in the morning, for he’s the friend of light and the colourful kite dancing in the blue sky. 

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

Praise

nhpureandsimple

Praise!

Isn’t it such an elegant word with supreme qualities?

Isn’t it special given to the special? 

But praise is not for everyone or everything. Even your beloved ones cannot receive your full praise because they are humans and humans are … human. So, the first and foremost praise is always given to the Almighty. And how simple, pure, and beautiful it becomes when offered from the heart.

We humans love praise, but things may get out of control or even become abnormal.

Starting with ourselves, don’t you entrain yourself with a little praise now and then. Well.. I do, of course, not in public but … quietly, mostly to myself, and sometimes with my family. They usually laugh, but then admit it’s a good tactic for loving yourself. 

But when your self-praise begins to puff up with conceit, you cross the limits and enter the dangerous phase of greatness insanity. So, be careful.

Then there are your beloved ones. Out of love and most of the time, you see them, or what they are doing as worthy of praise. How true and funny is this Arabic saying: the mirror of love is always blind. 

But can you praise someone even if you don’t like them? I think that’s how we prove to ourselves that we play fair. For example, you might praise someone for their beauty, intelligence, etc, even if you cringe every time you see or hear about them, as if you were eating a sour lime. (By the way my mouth’s already watering for I used to eat limes like oranges.) But that’s fine, because you’re being sincere to them and to yourself.

Now, what about praising someone you don’t like for qualities they don’t have? That’s nothing but hypocrisy. Unfortunately hypocrites deform and misuse the very connotations of praise. They grow and spread like weeds, showering those who deserve nothing, everything. Ironically, they themselves would never trust any praise. 

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

I Love Octobers

nhpureandsimple

This is Ann Shirley’s famous quote. 

But, I love Octobers too. 

Octobers are special, colourful, and definitely cold.

Their days grow shorter, and their nights stretch long.

And you sleep more.

You sneak into bed by eight pm, and hiding under the covers until seven am.

Their meals are another story.

For of course, you eat more.

Roasts, soups, cakes, and pies.

And from now on your hands always hold a hot drink.

Tea, coffee, and herbs—all steaming with the scent of October.

This tenth month on the calendar, doesn’t it remind you of something? 

Just look back and scan the months behind you, and see how far you’ve come and how many chances still await to receive and cherish before the end of the year.

If you could think of seven positive words to boost your energy at the beginning of this first cold month on the calendar, what would they be?

Can you use only the letters of  OCTOBER, please? 

Here’s my humble contribution: 

Opportunities — They always exist, so never say never.

Creativity— Isn’t that what makes things more beautiful?

Thankfulness— Remember, there are others who can’t enjoy things as you do.

Originality— Nothing can beat it.

Blessings— They are abundant; just count them.

Enthusiasm—That’s the first push to make a good start every day.

Rejoice— Happiness is a choice.

With hope and peace,

Nahla