Category: daily prompt

daily prompt

From Hate to Something Like Okay

nhpureandsimple

What do you love now, that you hated when you were younger?

Actually there are many things I used to hate, but… I don’t feel the same now.

You could say I’ve finally come to accept them.

By the way, I used the word hate which I hated so much.

But sometimes hate can’t be replaced by a gentle dislike.

Strong words belong to strong feelings.

Right.

For this post, I’ll just mention one of them which is … Dogs.

I used to hate these creatures in all their shapes, species, and origins.

Many years ago, during the summer holidays, we used to go to the village where my grandparents’ big house was. There, dogs were my nightmare because most of the big houses had big guarding ones.

Their barking, their sharp teeth, their lolling tongues weren’t showing any sign of cuteness or any kind of amity. 

Worse, dogs were known in Egypt as savage, and the masters of biting. 

How could anyone on this earth love these creatures.

Dogs in cartoons were the exception, for two main reasons: 

First, they were fictional.

Second, they sometimes behaved better than humans.

Now, don’t they say; after hostility comes amity. 

Or better put, after hate comes amity.

I try to follow this piece of wisdom.

My hate levels gradually went down. 

Cute and funny joined my dictionary of dog vocabulary.

Until that day, about three years ago.

My neighbour on the opposite side of the road used to have two big dogs. 

They barked at everyone passing by whether as a sign of welcome, excitement or warning, I honestly don’t know.

I always avoided crossing the road and walking past their door.

But once, when I was in a hurry, I totally forgot about their routine.

So I crossed the road, and as I was checking the time, they burst into barking.

My heart almost stopped beating as I froze before the gate and looked them straight in the eye.

“You’re such an animal!” I mumbled under my breath, and they looked as if they had swallowed their tongues.

I walked away my head up, full of dignity, proud of myself. 

I even managed to stifle a big laugh, wondering whether I had hurt their feelings.

So … I can’t say I like dogs.

But I can say I’m okay with dogs as long as they keep sufficient distance and show good manners.

With hate-turn-into-okay-thoughts,

Nahla

daily prompt

Stars and Wars Do Not Match

nhpureandsimple

Emperor Palpatine has announced open elections for a new Emperor — and he’s nominated Darth Vader. You get to nominate one challenger.

Well… I have no idea about Star Wars, and I’ve never thought about reading any of its books either.

So I am at sea, don’t know any Star Wars heroes to nominate as challengers.

What I know is that stars and wars do not match.

Those luminous shapes up there in the sky look too peaceful to even know the meaning of the word war.

The sun, however, can do well with wars since it’s boiling nonstop like hell, and its atomic explosions never rest. 

So Sun Wars makes a bit of sense for movies and books.

Is there already any movies or books about Sun Wars?

Hopefully not.

If they can play with the stars,

no one would ever play with the sun.

With no-idea-about- star-wars- thoughts,

Nahla

daily prompt

The Secret Language

nhpureandsimple

Which languages do you speak and how did that impact your life?

Apparently, we all talk to our pets, right?

You can’t have a pet without finding some way to communicate together. 

Anyway, at the moment, I don’t have any.

My sons say, “ please no more, Mama.’

Simply because I got so attached to them, and you know how hard it feels when you lose them.

Over the last few years, I used to have three pets. 

No wait… actually, they were two and the third came only for a short visit.

First was Fish; those colourful tiny creatures in a small water tank. 

Me and my daughter were fascinated by them.

But real, tiny fish are mute, not like those talkative ones in movies or in fictional books.

Yet, you still have to find some kind of language to communicate with them. Otherwise, you will end up sending them back, either to the big open sea or the store where you got them.

Thanks to my daughter, we found something simple by just tapping gently on the tank glass.

They would drew near and start staring at you through the glass.

Perhaps… we can translate this as hi, how’re you doing.

Second came my birds: two cute parakeets, Blue and Sky.

These two were so talkative, but their birdie language is easy to learn.

So they would start the day with loud “morning prayers” followed by nonstop discussions about their daily routine. Sometimes, later in the day, their chatter would change into a thoughtful, lyrical kind of sweet conversation before having a catnap.

“Please, Mama make them stop this noise.” My sons complained when they came for a visit.

‘They’ll be quiet at night.’ I replied, laughing.

Whistling works so well with birds, and my daughter found the idea very interesting.

I’m so bad at whistling, yet me and those cheeky birds used to nod, yell, and whisper at one another.

Then came the cat, with those beautiful eyes and soft meows.

Since we were only having her for a short visit, she spend most of the time hiding.

But cats are clever, and easy to communicate with. 

Their meows, purrs, and little winks not only make your heart melt, but they also don’t need any explanations. 

With pets–language- thoughts,

Nahla

daily prompt

Simple Advice: Just Listen

nhpureandsimple

What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you?

Whether you’re 10, 20, or 23 plus — Please Read.

Reading is better than television,

better than cinema,

better than social media,

better than nonsense talk,

and yes, even better than football. 

By the end of the day, they all consume their energy, 

eat your brain, 

and dull your senses.

Books can restore it all.

And reading doesn’t ask for money, subscriptions, or travel visa.

It only asks for a little of your time everyday, and in return it offers great rewards.

The best two rewards are: 

a healthy brain

and a loyal companion.

So… please read.

With book-reading thoughts,

Nahla 

daily prompt

Success and Its Different Formula

nhpureandsimple

What’s your top tip to be successful in life?

Can we pause a bit at the word “success.”

 In the back of my mind, those old memories of success were always tied to education and graduation.

From the first day you stepped into school, success became all about your grades. And it kept this iconic status until you earned your degree, secured a respectable job, or earned a good salary. 

Some people not only polish this status of success, but also worship it, believing there’s no other possibility or meaning of success beyond education and career.

I was one of those people, raised with this holy image of success. But over the years, success began to show up in different ways. It looks you in the eye and says: “Yes, education is important, but it’s not the only path to reach me. There are other meanings, other routes, and other possibilities to prove yourself successful and to earn my golden badge.”

Life is our big school. 

It teaches different lessons and gives us hard challenges.

And it never forgets to award us with its own unique success certificates.

Some people pay attention to the life’s big moral awards, while others stay loyal to success in its physical, printed form. Apparently both groups work hard, but their expectations of success are completely different. 

So…the earlier you decide which group to join, the better you’ll save your time and energy.

And that’s what I can say is the top tip for a successful life.

It is to know which way to follow and what makes sense to you.

In other words, to be You in this vast, fast –changing world

It is to choose your route, to follow your path, and to have faith. 

Years ago, I used to think like most of my friends about seeing success only through its narrow angle version: high grades and a good career.

And years later, most of my friends followed the same formula.

But Almighty had a different plan for me.

And, whenever I tried to rebel or sneak around it, He brought me to my motherhood career and my writing passion. Both give me a kind of unique success that top everything else in my life.

And I believe I’m blessed to enjoy every moment of my quiet world as a beautiful kind success.

With top-tip success thoughts,

Nahla

daily prompt, personal thoughts

Happiness: Different Standards

nhpureandsimple

What’s a common misconception people have about happiness?

Today, happiness has different standards.

Have you heard this common comment lately?

Honestly, I don’t know what to say, or whether it’s said out of blindness, selfishness, or what else.

But… look around these days and you will see how happiness has become so sensual, so material, so selfish, and so fake. 

It turns into a big, fancy castle built from lies and pretences; a place some people spend their whole lives building. They live inside it, seeking protection, until it collapses over their heads. And then, they spend the rest of their lives buried under misery, regret, and loss.

Unfortunately, in most cases, social media plays the main role in shaping this messy version of happiness. It makes things worse by planting fake seeds of fake happiness. It keeps pushing those crème “elites” to the front, above everything and everyone else. Those with shiny smiles, dazzling fame, great power, and unlimited cash have been presented as the idols of absolute happiness.

And you gape, you make a wish, and you follow suit.

The blind leading the blind, heading nowhere.

The selfish ego swells and swells until it bursts.

And one day, you wake up; your head heavy and buzzing. You hold your head in your hands, wanting nothing but comfort and relief. Then suddenly, you glace at a short note nearby. Your blurry eyes clear as you begin to read:

‘You’ve never been happy, yet you can be. Happiness is neither loud nor glamorous. And, it never comes different standards.’ The note was signed: true happiness.

So… will you agree when others say today’s happiness has different standards?

As for me, I still believe that… happiness can be as simple as a bird’s nest, as pure as snowflakes, and as genuine as a mother’s prayer.

With happy thoughts,

 Nahla 

daily prompt

I Wish I Could Say “Taller”

nhpureandsimple

What is one way you have grown this year?

But no, I don’t. 

So… let me think… 

If I have grown something this year, it would be…acceptance.

Yes, I have grown past that phase of crying over this or that. 

Sometimes you get disappointed, surprised, or shocked.

You think too much, worry too much, or care too much.

You ask why, how, and what’s wrong.

You don’t understand the explanation.

You can’t agree with the answer. 

You think and overthink.

But then you decide it’s time to accept.

“Let it be what it was meant to be.”

By the way, this is not surrender.

Stubborn doesn’t go with surrender.

Some people can be very stubborn.

But acceptance is what you can call… the silent admission.

You finally admit that you can’t be in charge of everything.

Some things may be out of your control.

Some things have to change.

And some things don’t deserve the effort.

In this way, acceptance is a cure, a therapy that can save both your time and your energy.

With acceptance thoughts,

Nahla

 

daily prompt

I’m Proud of You, Me

nhpureandsimple

What is something you wish you could tell your 20-year-old self?

Hi there, my dear me,

Life runs so fast, my dear 20-year-old me, but life is good with all its hard and sweet days.

This is not a spoiler, by the way… just bits and pieces, little hints about life, our life.

You, my dear me won’t believe what the future has stored for you; what the Almighty has planned for you.

Think, imagine, and dream as much as you can, yet you wouldn’t come any close to reality.

By the way my dear 20-year-old me, I still remember uni studies, small circle of friends, dreams, job plans after graduation, and… Egypt, with its warm days and humorous people. 

Oh… that was a slip of a tongue.

But yes, you will have a second Home.

Whatever you’re thinking right now, Egypt will always be present in your life.

Everything change, right, my dear 20-year-old me?

So be prepared.

Mama and Baba used to criticise Egypt —the Egypt where you live now, saying, “Where have those old good days gone? People are not the same anymore, manners aren’t not the same, even food isn’t the same. 

You will get married soon, my dear-20-year-old me.

Your prince will take you far away.

Children will arrive safe and sound, and they fill your life with joy and blessings.

Challenges, adventures, confusion, disappointment, tears, laughter, and many more welcome and unwelcome visitors will knock your door along the way.

So… don’t forget to be grateful, and always count your blessings.

And from now on, be proud of yourself my dear 20-year-old me,

for the more challenges you face, the more lessons you will learn.

And the more lessons you learn, the more you know how to enjoy life.

And… I know this might sound a bit funny but be ready to live in the new world of AI.

That… well you will discover more in the future.

With my dear 20-year-old -me thoughts,

Nahla

daily prompt

Mars, Humans, And Life

nhpureandsimple

Do you think humans will ever colonize Mars? What would life there actually look like?

Can you guess what’s the first thing that crossed my mind as I read this prompt about life on Mars?

It wasn’t the possibility of new life.

Not the chance of finding inhabitants living there.

And not even the idea of humans starting wars to invade and occupy the planet. 

But of course that would still be occupation, as if humans don’t already have enough to deal with on our dear planet Earth.

Now… what actually popped into my head was the image of one of those social media stars embarking on a new adventure to Mars. 

He or she would prattle nonstop about their nearly two way spaceship trip to Mars.

They would put on this spaceman costume.

Smile at the live camera,

maybe even record a prayer or two for safety.

Then, before disappearing into the spaceship, they would promise live vlogs from Mars.

Is there internet on Mars? The thought cut right into my imagination.

But really, if there is internet on Mars, some friends over there might have already heard of us, and they maybe… try to get in touch through WordPress.

Anyway, let’s see how this superstar vlogger’s trip ended.

After one whole month off social media, they land safely on our precious Earth.

Spaceman costume on, camera in hand, broad smile on face, and with a shaky emotional voice, they began their first live vlog.

“Can’t express my real emotions.

Such scary but marvellous trip.

Can’t believe it

Am I dreaming?”

And the tap of comments, likes, and shares explodes; wows, nos, and oh my God, racing one after another.

“Sorry guys, just landed, and I lost my phone.” The superstar seems in a rush.

“Thieves on Mars,” one follower comments.

“I’ll tell you everything. You know honesty is my motto in life.

Wait for the next vlogs.

I will share more about my adventure on the moon.”

“Wasn’t it Mars?” Another follower comments.

“Oh, my head is upside down,” the famous vlogger replies and vanishes.

“That’s all fake,” someone comments

“Yes, all fake,” a thousand comments follow.

Nowadays… fake is more popular than reality, but it’s easily spotted.

I don’t know whether there’s life on Mars, or whether life is even possible there.

What I do know is why some people set their eyes on what they don’t own.

Why some abandon what they already have for something they can barely reach.

And why people want to build a new home instead of fixing the one they have.

Apparently, if Mars ever heard of human plans, he would shake with laughter, wondering how his neighbour’s intruders from Earth expect to survive  his freezing cold deserts. 

How wise Mars is,

how disappointed Earth must be,

And how fake some humans can be.

With Mars and humans thoughts,

Nahla

daily prompt

Arabic Names vs English Pronunciation 

nhpureandsimple

If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?

Since we were created with different tongues, I find it very interesting how names sound different in other cultures.

So though my name has just four simple letters, in English it can’t be pronounced the same.

In Arabic, the h is pronounced clearly, like the h in hello, but it is dropped in English because it’s difficult to pronounce when followed by an L.

And things don’t stop there as the other three letters are also pronounced differently… more stronger. 

But I’ve been used to it, and I actually like the change.

When my husband and I chose Arabic names for our children, we tried our best to make them easy for English speakers to pronounce. Still, they never sound the same.

Different tongues, right.

And then, years ago, more interesting things happened.

One of my friends told me about her attempt to correct the pronunciation of her name for English speakers, but none of them worked.

Her name is Eman. Oh… how I love this name.

When I was young, I wished my name was Eman, after one of my favourite teachers. 

And If it wasn’t already used in my family, I would have named my daughter Eman. 

By the way, Eman means faith. 

Isn’t that a beautiful meaning. 

One day, as we were walking together, she suddenly started talking to herself.

‘It’s E and man. If they can easily pronounce man, why can’t they pronounce it in my name?’

‘Are you okay Eman?’ I asked 

‘It’s just E and man.’

‘What?’

‘E and man.’

And we both burst out laughing. 

With different- tongues thoughts,

Nahla