Author: nhpureandsimple

My name is Nahla. I am a wife and mother of three children. I have been living in the UK for so many years. My first degree is in English Language. I also earned two Master’s degrees; one in Religious Studies and one in Creative Writing. I started blogging because I love reading and writing; both are more than hobbies for me. I read to learn, to understand, and to improve myself. I write to tell stories, to express my views, and to share my thoughts. I hope you enjoy my blog, and thank you for visiting.
Philosophical musings

The Best and the Good

nhpureandsimple

“Best is the enemy of good.”

Have you ever thought of Best as perfection and Good as practicality?

Well.. this quote is all about this issue, and of course in this context, animosity is expected.

Good is the one climbing the stairs step by step.

Best is the one taking them all in a few leaps, reaching the top before anyone else.

Good is laughed at as slow and a loser.

Best is championed as fast and a winner.

But doesn’t the steady turtle win the race against the pompous rabbit?

She listens to practicality.

He listens to perfection. 

She wins.

He loses.

Simple. Right?

Now, try and read the sentence from right to left:

The good is the enemy of the best.

This is another saying.

According to this one, the good is the average, the easy way—the path that stops and hinders the achievement of the ideal, the perfect.

Neither the turtle nor the rabbit really fits this context.

Because the turtle doesn’t stop the rabbit, and the rabbit is too arrogant to be an ideal.

But… actually they can fit, just in a different way.

The rabbit is doing what is good. 

But why try to do better? 

He thinks he’s perfect—the winner.

Surprisingly, the turtle is doing not only good, but better, 

even the best of her abilities to keep going and finish the race.

She wins.

He loses.

Got anywhere now?

Hopefully, you’re not lost.

In both cases, the turtle is the winner and the rabbit is the loser.

In both the quote and the saying, the winner is the practical one whether they are doing good or doing their best.

Perfection is out of the race because it is impossible.

We are not created to be perfect. 

But we’re meant to do our best. 

Good can be enough, 

but what about other possibilities? Other dreams? Other questions? 

Why get five if you can get ten?

Why give up instead of keeping on?

It was a perfect day, we say use “perfect” as a figure of speech,  

because we decided to enjoy it with its good and bad details.

Now… do you think the quote and the saying can be two faces of the same coin?

With best-and-good thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

Pets, please understand

nhpureandsimple

If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?

We—humans both love and envy you.

You can see things we can’t see.

You can hear things we can’t hear.

You can smell things before we even do.

You’re born to run out and about—free.

You’re born to fly and soar high.

You’re born to dive and swim deep, deep, deep in dark seas, rivers, and oceans.

You’re satisfied with the way you are; your look, your shape, and your size.

You’re happy wherever you live; 

a nest, a hole, a cave, a shell, or a tree.

You don’t mind— never mind.

You know what to eat and when to eat.

You’re funny, unexpected, and loyal.

You love life, clinging to its last moment, 

but you live it instead of thinking too much about it.

And… we learn from you.

Yes, we humans, with our superior, complex brains learn from you—our dear pets.

With humans-and-pets thoughts,

Nahla 

 

Just writing

Let’s Pretend…

nhpureandsimple

This let’s pretend is all about close your eyes and dream.

Well… not closing your eyes and dozing off, but turning on the light to imagination, to hope, and perhaps even to happiness.

Children are the best at make- believe.

They use let’s pretend to dream about the future, about their growing-up lives.

They play this let’s pretend game to have fun.

They cling to this let’s pretend as a shield to avoid and escape punishment.

Writers make-believe too.

Their let’s pretend characters become full of life on the page. 

Their let’s pretend thoughts turn into words a reader can hold. 

And their let’s pretend world becomes real in imagination.

Pause…

This was how I began this post last night with this idea which I borrowed from a non-fiction book about creativity and IQ tests. By the way, do we really need all the fuss around them?

I don’t think so.

Now, back to the main idea.

Instead of going back to finish my post, I decided to complete Dostoevsky’s Poor People. 

I did finish it, but that wasn’t a good idea. 

Because I abandoned the post and slipped straight into reviewing the book. 

But the idea of let’s pretend started nagging me, buzzing into my head, with a single plea; 

Please let’s pretend you didn’t read the book.

Please finish the post.

I tried.

But, I couldn’t.

The book seemed to cut the flow of my post thoughts with its hopeless narrative.

It’s understandable how the story reflected the miserable and hard life the author experienced during the time he was writing it. 

But still, I found myself wondering; why he didn’t play this let’s pretend game, just once, to make- believe some hope in the miserable story? 

Honestly, I don’t know.

But at least I made it — and finished this post.

 

With let’s–pretend–happy thoughts, 

Nahla

Philosophical musings

In the Zone of Comfort.

nhpureandsimple

This post was inspired by https://tonysbologna.com/2026/01/15/the-real-reason-youre-afraid-to-leave-your-comfort-zone/

But by all means what’s the problem with comfort? 

By comfort, I don’t mean idleness, an aimless life, or monotony. 

By comfort, I mean choosing to follow what’s suitable for you while still having a target, a purpose, and even a moral compass.

The gardener, for example, who knows nothing but planting and selling flowers, is happy, content, and proud of his accomplishments. 

Then one day, others introduce this idea of “comfort zone” into his mind.

They keep nagging him to get out of his comfort zone and take some risks:

to buy more land, plant exotic scentless flowers, and double or even triple the price of his harvest.

He says, “But my life is good, and I have risks everyday to take and challenge.”

They say, “But you can do more.”

He says, “I have enough.”

They say, “Who dares, win.”

He says, “win what? “

They say, “Fortune, wealth, and more pleasures.”

He says, “What about comfort?”

They say, “Well… they will bring comfort.”

He says, “No… there will be no time for comfort.”

They say, “You’re wasting your life.”

He says, “No, no… I’m enjoying my life.”

Is the gardener lazy or weak or brainless?

Do the others, with their idea of “getting out of the comfort zone,”live really in paradise? 

Strange how most people ignore the fact that, in comfort, a person can be more productive, creative, and successful. 

A comfort zone is not about sitting in a chair and crossing your legs. 

A comfort zone can be full of options, challenges, and achievements. 

It’s simply where and how you choose to live.

In the end, in your comfort zone, you have the freedom to follow your own intuition, and you are not obliged to say “Amen” to anyone’s else rules because… it’s a home, not a prison.

With comfort thoughts,

Nahla 

Just writing

Hey World!

nhpureandsimple

In case you, just like me, are shocked and disappointed by what’s happening around the world, here are some of my philosophical musings, not on politics, but on gambling.

Now… before making any assumptions, this post is inspired by Dostoevsky’s The Gambler which I’ve finished reading.

You know what? 

A popular Arabic saying goes: Take the wisdom from the mouths of the insane.

You may wonder how.

Wisdom and insanity do not match, together they make no sense.

You’re right. 

But… who says that the insane are wise, or that wisdom can be taught to the insane? 

It’s not about knowledge or experience.

It’s about special gifts.

It’s an advice not to belittle anyone’s abilities, even if they were insane.

Back to the Gambler: the book was clearly written by a gambler with a warning as bright as sunlight in a clear sky. It seems to shout: avoid gambling, never try it, and flee from it.

Isn’t the gambler just another insane person born with a functioning brain, yet destroying it for the sake of gambling obsession? 

The story echoes that old saying, with a bit of alteration.

It seems to urge readers; take the wisdom, and learn the lesson from the gambler’s tale.

But not every insane is gifted, 

and not every gambler is repentant either.

With sound thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

Salt and Sugar

nhpureandsimple

They look exactly the same, don’t they?

But one tastes sweet,

and the other tastes salty.

Both are needed —

but not too much.

and not artificial.

Life can’t be without both.

It is a mix of salt and sugar.

We need its salt to make it liveable.

We need its sugar to make it enjoyable.

Without them, life would be tasteless,

wouldn’t it?

People can be salt and sugar too.

Have you ever met someone who adds a bit of flavour to a gathering, a meeting, or even a party? 

They might bring a joke, a touch of humour, or even an unfathomable argument, but they change the dull mood and stir life back into the company.

In Arabic, we say this person is the salt of the gathering.

And… have you ever met someone who makes everything taste sweet even the bitter coffee?

These are the ones who smile at you, reassure you when things get hard, and show up whenever you need them.

They are like natural sugar; sweet, simple, and healthy. 

You know what? 

They say that salt and sugar are among the most dangerous substances in modern civilisation.

Of course they are; but that’s mainly about the artificial ones, the fake ones, the man-made ones. 

So why mix things up?

But… life will never run out of the genuine person who is the salt of the gathering, and the kind one who is the sugar for the soul.

With salt-and-sugar thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

The Storm

nhpureandsimple

Have you heard about the storm that hit the UK yesterday? 

Goretti. That was its name.

By the way, it wasn’t all over the UK.

In my place, it was just cold, cloudy, and sometimes rainy.

Now ready to think about something else?

Have you heard the term brainstorm?

Of course you have.

With all due respect to dictionaries, the word explains itself. 

Why do some people make things complicated?

I have no idea.

Simply put, brainstorm is like having a storm in your brain. Whatever form the storm takes; psychological, mental, spiritual, or something else, it usually stirs and blows with new ideas, and perhaps new solutions too.

So…  this kind of brainstorm is just like a weather storm. It can cause a sudden flood of ideas and energy that turns on every fuse in your brain. And then, suddenly, you see new things and find new solutions, and feel, absolutely, elated.

But sometimes a brainstorm means totally the opposite. That’s when it blows everything away, and causes both a power cut and long delays. In this case, things feel blurry and dull, and you end up feeling more confused and lost. 

Perhaps the navigation of a brainstorm depends on a person’s mood, or maybe on their motivation. But sometimes, it also depends on determination. 

Dont’t people say that if there is a will, there’s a way?

And they also say; after every storm, the sun will smile again.

So whether the storm turns on the light or cut it off, it will pass, and when it does, we’ll all glow with relief and joy.

With shiny thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

The Narcissist

nhpureandsimple

Haven’t I told you that I’m not a fan of any -ism concepts?

I had to study and use them, though, for my postgraduate studies.

Anyway, this is the one that crossed my mind just now as I was watching snaps of the news.

Don’t you think that this Narcissism whether as a concept, a mental illness, or even just as a sound is really hideous.

And they say there’s a narcissism test.

Why?

The man who fell in love with his own reflection didn’t need any test to prove his mental identity. He wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed or guilty of his most dominant personal trait—narcissism.

Science with its numerous and various theories, explores and investigates the different forms, conditions, causes, effects of this self–obsessive man, and perhaps of his precious reflection too.

Their research studies came out with some psychological remedies and techniques.

They tried meditation, therapies, and some exercises too.

Unfortunately, to my humble knowledge, nothing has worked so far.

The man was still obsessed with his reflection, and perhaps with his mirror too.

He heard only his own voice, saw only his perfect shape, and adored nothing but his own self.

Research papers offered another explanation: 

This condition may be hereditary, or perhaps an incurable disease like madness.

“How funny?”

The man and his reflection burst out laughing.

“I am the best.”

“I have the best.”

“I know the best.”

“I do the best.”

“I live the best.”

“That’s who I am.”

“That’s what I do.”

“And that’s how I’ll ever live.”

The researchers stepped back wondering what else to do?

Instead of one man with a self-obsessed reflection, there began to be thousands of him and of his reflection.

A wise man passed by.

He had been watching the series with all its episodes.

He smiled and said:

“Can’t you see? The man fell in love with his reflection because he wanted to.

It’s a choice.

And he made his mind to love mainly and only his reflection and to remain that way.”

“The support and encouragement of altruism may be the only solution.

Not only to shake the pride of narcissist, 

but also to steady the balance of the altruist.”

Sometimes we need to listen more to the wise than to science.

Don’t we.

With mindful thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

The Poem

nhpureandsimple

I picked a random Arabic poem for my daughter to read, and it turned out to be a simple piece with a deep meaning.

It says:

The girl dreams.

The girl draws.

She drew a girl with two wings,

Where will she fly?

She doesn’t know.

She will fly everywhere.

She will whisper to human consciousness: 

Enough pain.

The World has had Enough.

Let peace live on this earth.

Isn’t it beautiful?

Doesn’t the world need a poem like now more than ever?

A poem that carries a child’s dream—

a dream of humanity,

of kindness,

and of peace.

With peaceful thoughts,

Nahla

daily prompt

Yesterday, Now, and Tomorrow

nhpureandsimple

Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?

Honestly, I used to be the kind of person who thinks about everything in the same moment which means… I used to think far too much.

Step by step, as changes and challenges began seeping into my life, I changed too.

Yesterday becomes too faraway to recollect all of its details, and too pointless to regret any. 

Do you know the famous saying, Let bygones be bygones?

Well… that’s how I’ve learned to think about Yesterday.

Still, every now and then, some good and bad moments cross my mind —those moments that can make one happy or furious or upset. But I don’t let them linger in my memory for long. 

As for Now, I appreciate and enjoy it more than ever before.

Perhaps… because now I have more time and less responsibilities. 

Or perhaps it’s because Now, as the wise say, is a present—a gift. 

And the older we get, the younger we become. 

And you know how much excited the young feel about precious gifts.

Tomorrow— this mystery wrapped in its own garb of surprises.

Years ago, I had no idea I would leave home and live in the UK.

Back then, my tomorrow dreams were completely different.

They were replaced with much better ones.

So… Tomorrow I don’t rush it, anymore.

I just pray it will be better.

With hopeful thoughts,

Nahla