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.
personal thoughts

Do You Like Flowers?

nhpureandsimple

I believe we all do, but… perhaps some may say no, but of course they owe us some explanation or reason when they decide to shock us by their unexpected NO.

So, let’s remain with those who love flowers: 

some plant them,

some pick them, 

some sell them, 

some buy them,

some are offered them. 

And… some simply watch them.

Don’t you agree that the one who knows flowers best is the one who plants them? But who else can understand them so well?

And… don’t you agree that the one receiving flowers is someone so special? Do you remember that bouquet you get on Mother’s Day, your birthday, your engagement, or your wedding day? Flowers are for someone dear. Someone remembered. And someone loved. Right?

As for the picking, buying, and selling that’s all business with sufficient knowledge.

Have you ever dreamed of being a florist, owning your own flowers boutique? 

I had that dream years ago until the day I stepped into one of those nice shops. Since then, I changed my mind. Why? Because I found the place so humid and stuffed, and I can’t endure either. Besides… imagine a customer asking for a posh, sophisticated bouquet, and getting a simple bunch of roses instead. That’s how I would usually handle orders if I were a florist. 

Now what about those who simply watch the flowers? Aren’t they just like birdwatchers? They are the ones who appreciate things as they are, where they are, and when they are. The sight of colourful blooms on tall trees, in small pots, or scattering across meadows make them smile, sing, or even dream. This doesn’t mean that flowers look dull in vases, or add no beauty indoors. They do paint a beautiful and cheerful image in every room. But, the thing is flowers look more alive, vibrant, and real in nature —their vast, open home. 

There are some flowering branches beside a big tree in our front garden. Sometimes, I wonder whether they will grow into a tree of their own. They blossom in the spring with a few dark red roses. When I saw them, I want nothing more than to pick them and place them in a vase indoors. But then, I think … the branch won’t look the same every time I draw the curtain and gaze outside. The branch will look so plain, perhaps sad and lonely, without them. So I leave them happy outdoors, to keep me happy indoors. 

Good deal, right? 

There is nothing more beautiful than watching birds spread their wings and soar high in the sky, and seeing flowers bloom, sway, and breathe everywhere. 

With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

And Then Everything Happens!

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Have you ever heard this quote: “Nothing happens, and nothing happens, and then everything happens.”  I came across it in one of my reading books, and I hope I’m quoting it right.

Don’t you like it? 

How many times have you been on the verge of giving up? Of letting despair and misery eat you up? Of bowing and kneeling before tyrants and demons? And why all that? Just because nothing happens. And nothing happens. 

But then, Hope arrives and knocks on your locked door. He doesn’t wait for you to open it for he knows you have been waiting, suffering, and tormented for so long. He seeps into your dark, wretched soul like a gentle, warm breeze filling a dark, damaged home in a freezing night. That’s when everything happens: Prayers are answered, dreams come true, wishes granted, problems solved, and victory attained. 

Isn’t that so beautiful, so encouraging—lifting the spirits of poor souls, awakening their self-respect, and strengthening their love for life?

There is a similar meaning in an Arabic poetry verse I once read.  It says: “Things grew tight, and tighter, and tighter until they reached their tightest peak. Then, they began to loosen, and relief came.“ (This is my own translation.)

Are you are still reading?

If you are, may I ask you to think of the english quote, or the Arabic verse, in a different way? 

Did anything come to your mind? 

Let me give you an example to help. 

Imagine, just imagine, you’ve been… God Forbid, a thief or a murderer or even a scammer your whole life. And nothing happens. And nothing happens. And, one day, you hear knockings at your door.

Hope is not the visitor this time. It’s Justice crowned with her royal, majestic halo. She’s the one who’s been waiting for so long. Finally, it’s time to make you pay. And then, things happen. But, instead of the gentle, warm breeze, it’s tsunami rushing to wipe you out, and reclaim everything that was never yours. 

The interpretation is the same in the Arabic verse, with a slight difference. This time, it’s the culprit who tightens things with every deed, inhumane ones, of course, chasing success, power, and protection. He climbed to the tightest peak of pride, power, and false security. Then things happen. Tight things burst, don’t they? But relief doesn’t come. Only torn pieces remain this time, bringing nothing but suffering, humiliation, and regret. 

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

Please Bear With Me

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Starting today, please don’t be surprised if I like and dislike your post at the same time. Or if you catch me me follow a conversation I have no idea how and when I get into. Or if I subscribe and then unsubscribe to your blog. 

Oh my … I am pretty sure things like that have happened before, but honestly that’s mainly because of a lagging internet connection or a frozen screen. If this happens today or tomorrow, or even already did, my sincere apologies!

So starting now, hopefully for just a few days, I might be a bit clumsy because I am using a new device. Every time I switch to a new one, funny things happen. Sometimes I wish I had kept the old one as there was no thing wrong with it. But my sons want to get me a special gift for my special day, and here I am using it. It’s actually great, but my brain needs time to befriend it. 

You know the most annoying thing right now? It is Jetpack app. I can’t find the Reader icon as I used to on the other device. So I’ve switched to using WordPress in the browser, and I’m trying to navigate my way through it.

Hopefully things will get better soon.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

Be Your Own Pioneer!

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Isn’t ”Pioneer” a great word filled with imagination, courage, and perseverance? Of course it is. A pioneer is a risk-taker, driven by promises of abundant profits. That’s all wonderful. Right?

By the way, I’ve just finished  O Pinoneers! novel by Willa Cather. The title is really intriguing and summarises all the story. If you want to know a bit about it, you’re more than welcome to check my post on my book review blog.

But not all pioneers are the same, wouldn’t you agree?

Some claim the title but not the honour.
Some deserve both the title and the honour, yet are, sometimes, denied them by the first category of pioneers who care more about status than substance.
And then… there are those quiet pioneers, living the pioneer life without even knowing they really are.

Confused?

But why?

That’s so obvious, especially when it comes to the first two categories. It’s not hard to find them. They are everywhere, bragging about their “great” achievements and unlimited wealth and power as if that’s what a pioneer should mean.

As for the third, those are the ones who mind their own business.
They are wise enough to change themselves before marching out loudly to change the world.
They watch the madness around the world, yet go on working, writing, and appreciating life.
And… they ask, quietly: what good comes of being a pioneer without self-respect, without inner peace, or without humane compassion?

In case no one’s told you this before: if your imagination, courage, and risk-loving spirit drive you away or back or forward, out of the madness and straight into a simple, quiet life then you are a special pioneer in this “chaotic” world.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

Birds’ Simple Dream

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Blue
And
Sky
And
Rain
And
Wind

And Birds fly, soaring high,
into the blue, rainy, windy sky.

They know no fear.
They know they were created to spread their wings,
to sail without ships across the vast, open sky.

And… they know how to live… Free.
How to build a simple nest, hidden in a tree.

By sunset, they whisper their own prayers,
close their tiny eyes,
and fall asleep in peace.

They know no big dreams —
only that tomorrow
with its blue, rainy, and windy sky,
will always be a new day.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

This Is Not Real Kung Fu

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Isn’t The Karate Kid one of the most beautiful family movies?

I always remember Mr. Han’s powerful comment when he and Dre visited the most powerful Kung Fu youth academy in his town. After a few minutes, Mr. Han walked out and told Dre: “This is not real Kung Fu.”

If you’ve watched the movie, do you remember why Mr. Han was shocked and taken aback before giving that famous line?

Because real Kung Fu is mainly about self- defence with proper knowledge, clear rules, and, above all, a wise teacher. It can never be about bullying or humiliation.

And even if true Kung Fu loses a fight, it still earns a significant victory. Its defeat comes with clean hands, honourable values, and respected rules.

That’s why, as the movie shows, Kung Fu can be in everything we do, anything that nourishes peace and harmony, and helps prevent chaos and fights.

Isn’t the world today, unfortunately, witnessing the worst kind of Kung Fu— one that lacks knowledge, conscience, and respect to any rules? Ironically, it keeps proving to the world that this is not real Kung Fu.

Thank you, Mr Han, for teaching Dre, and us too, what real Kung Fu means, and for reminding us to pick it up and never say never.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

Amity

nhpureandsimple


Amity is not just about friendship. Right?

Amity is about harmony, peace, and goodwill, wherever you find them. You might find it hidden between the lines of a book, or expressed as a simple thought in a post, or wrapped as a warm greeting in a text message.

But you know what? Amity is becoming rarer and rarer these days, but that’s not its fault. Noble qualities don’t go out of fashion. They don’t become extinct. They are just … not loud, not showy, and definitely not fake.

So, amity is one of those noble qualities that love to build, rebuild, and rebuild. In other words, if mistakes or wrongdoings break part of it, apologies and sincerity can mend it. It can wait, accept excuses, and even fix broken things, but not forever. It may lose its cheerfulness, its patience, but never its light.

And there’s something special about amity. It can melt lead, soften hearts, and overcome even the fiercest enmity.

Have you ever heard of the adage: “After enmity comes love?” By the way, it is well known in the Arabic world. But… honestly, I think this kind of transformation needs miracles. I believe in divine miracles. And, I believe only God knows which enmity can be softened into amity, and which heart is truly open to love?

Am I confusing you?

I hope not.



With hope and peace,

Nahla










Just writing

All Sorts of Weather

nhpureandsimple

September is a dear, special visitor who brings all sorts of weather in a beautiful gift box. And come rain or shine, its visit is always welcome, always endearing.

Today, for example, is windy, sunny, and a bit chilly, with refreshing drizzles expected later on. But no one huffs or puffs. No one is lazy. No one hides. Why? Because it’s September, bringing gentle vibes at the dawn of autumn.

Do you know what the big dilemma in September is?

It’s something we set aside during summer and bring out in winter!

Can you guess?

I think you got it right.

It’s the coat.

Shall I put it on?
No, it’s warm.
Yes, it’s grey and humid.
No need, I’ll be back before it starts pouring.
But it’s already pouring.
This coat is useless.
This one is too heavy.
Grab it.
Leave it.
Why did I take it?
I should have taken it.

This becomes a significant part of my family daily conversation before stepping out of the house throughout September.

But, doesn’t it add a bit of change and fun?

At least, you have the option and the full responsibility for all its consequences.



With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

Blessed Are Those Who Know Their Own Limits

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I don’t really know if it is a saying or a quote, but I’m pretty sure I came across somewhere.

But don’t you agree?

Don’t you respect those who can say ‘yes’ or ‘no’? Those who can choose to go on, to pause, or to withdraw? Those who know that ‘better’doesn’t necessarily mean ‘perfect’? And those who believe that ‘to run for your life’ is the only excuse to exceed the limits.

And you know what? Even imagination knows its own limits because, in the end, it doesn’t deny the fact that everything it creates is imaginary.

Dreams are different because the more limitless they are, the more destructive and selfish they become.  People say, ‘Look ahead and follow your dreams.’ And some follow the advice as if it were a holy command. They look only ahead and follow one route — either straight or by taking shortcuts. Like competitive drivers, they floor the gas pedal, exceed speed limits, ignore traffic lights, overtake any priorities, and make every space as their own free parking zone.

To know and respect your own limits is not a weakness, not a sacrifice, and certainly not a defeat. It’s something like making a peace deal with yourself, a quiet agreement, not to overburden, torture, or destroy what’s already carrying enough.

Everything in life seems to have its own limits. Privacy, for example, is supposed to be all about knowing and respecting limits. There’s also genius, this rare, precious quality, which often understands the significance of limits better than anyone else. But, unfortunately, in some case, its main aim is to only challenge and destroy them.

The beauty of all this is that we have different limits, and they change even throughout our lives. Everyone can create their own heroic saga. What matters is crafting it within your own limits. And, if you choose to exceed the limits, don’t scapegoate others, don’t envy them, and don’t torture your poor soul anymore.

Now doesn’t “Blessed are those who know their own limits” make perfect sense?


With hope and peace,

Nahla



daily prompt

The Nearest, the Furthest

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Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.

Back then in Egypt, many years ago, when I was just a child, my family used to take two different holidays during the summer. Of course, none of them were abroad; that wasn’t even in my dreams.

The first trip was always to visit my grandparents and relatives in one of the most beautiful cities in Upper Egypt. The train journey took about six long hours. By long, I mean really long, not like nowadays, when time slips through our fingers like water. Still, I enjoyed every bit of it.

Our journey didn’t end with those six hours for my grandparents were living in a small village about a two- hour drive from the city. Sometimes we stayed in the city for a few days to visit relatives, but then we’d head straight to that small, simple village where my grandparents waited for us in their big, old house. We usually stayed there for around two months, but of course, after the first week, my father would take the train back to Cairo for he couldn’t be off work for that long .

Our second long trip was always to one of the quietest and furthest seaside cities on the western coast of Egypt. We always headed there around the first of September, when the weather used to cool down a bit at that time of the year. We stayed for only one week, since school started by the middle of the month.

We travelled there by coach and always with a group of family friends from Cairo. The journey was just as long as our train ride to the south. Excited about the sea waves, colourful shells, and building sand castles, I always looked forward to this holiday, and I never minded the distance.

Strange how, many years later, when my husband and I took our first flight to England, we thought we’d be too far from home. But in the end, that journey turned out to be actually the closest of all.

Things depend on how you feel about a place. The furthest can be the nearest. The furthest can be the most exciting, the most unexpected. And sometimes, the furthest can be home too.

With hope and peace,

Nahla