Category: daily prompt

daily prompt

Can You Make a Guess?

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What’s the oldest thing you own that you still use daily?

What’s the oldest thing we might have in our lives? Even if we’ve only been in this world for a few years, what would be our oldest possession? My mind wandered, but not for long.

Can you make a guess?

Want any clues?



But that’s easy to figure out— just search through your important documents, and you’ll find it. It might be too old, but don’t worry about its age — some people, even children, grow far older than their actual years in this world.

Now, got it?



Fine. That’s the fully registered and signed document that welcomes us as newcomers to this big,  yet actually small world.

Our birth certificates!



This percious document, kept safe and sound, marks our existence as human beings. This precious document has our names, parents’ names, our gender, our birthplace, our country, and our birth date. It is the first step in our history, launching our journey through life while adding more to our resume.


Isn’t it a big shame that in the history of this “civilized” humanity, there have been people and children who have been deprived of having or keeping this simple, precious certificate because of injustice and savagery?

Can you believe there are children dying in this world without receiving this warm welcome into life? Without having this basic right to a birth certificate?

Are you still watching the news?

If so, be grateful—and remember that your birth certificate, just a paper-and- ink document, is a treasure; a dream for many innocent souls.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

daily prompt

A Notable phrase— A coincidence!

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What notable things happened today?

As I was searching for something in my notebook, I came across this phrase that I had saved earlier: “Pull the wool over your eyes.”

To my surprise, as I read today’s prompt, I thought of nothing but this phrase, which I truly believe is a notable thing to contemplate these days.

Don’t let them pull the wool over your eyes or your ears.
If you can not see or hear the truth, you can feel it with your heart.

And remember—the one who pulls the wool over your eyes is never truthful.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

daily prompt

Books and Me

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List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

I love fiction, and I love it more when its prose is poetic, rich with colourful imagery, and infused with moral significance. That’s why I never hesitate to read classic novels from the early or late 19th century, every now and then, whenever they cross my path.

I read non-fiction as well; religious, philosophical, scientific, biographies, and others. However, with non- fiction, my enjoyment depends on the author’s writing style to conclude my reading with yes I like it or not

But science fiction and comics are not for me. I might watch some movies in these genres, though.


Many of the books I have read were recommendations—directly or indirectly. Some I discovered while reading other books, some while scrolling online, some through references, some by other readers, and some during my studies.

Last year, I started my quotes and book reviews blog. Honestly, this wasn’t about recommending books, but … you could say I was developing another skill related to reading and writing.

Strange, I have rarely thought about recommending books. If anyone asks me for a recommendation, I feel like my entire reading list is lost in the labyrinth of my mind’s many chambers, making it impossible to pick just one book. So, I pause and ask what they read instead. Sometimes, they give a name or two— books that, to my relief, I’ve read as well. ‘Oh, yes, I’ve read this one, and others by the same author,’ I would say. Perhaps that, in itself, could be considered a recommendation?


I can’t really think of a specific book that has had a major impact on my life. This is simply because every book I read adds something to my reading journey—even those where I skipped some sections. It’s something like I remain the same me, but with more reading, more knowledge, more lives, and, of course a better writing craft.  And all of that makes a great impact on my life.


With hope and peace,

Nahla

daily prompt

Why is the world so cruel?

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Have you ever been camping?

What’s the first thought that crossed your mind when you read the word “Camping”?


The fun times, family holidays, starry nights, games, laughter, and the warm campfire. Am I right?

Now, have you ever thought about the people living in the heart of this world who have no choice but to live in camps with very basic qualities and facilities? These are people who, not only face unimaginable hardships, but have been forced to move, perhaps every single day, just to escape death and live one more hour of life with what remains of their family.

There, in those heartbreaking camps, starry nights are full of danger, and days full of hard work. Children’s eyes are full of tears and fear. Mothers and fathers dig life with their nails, striving for their families’ survival. The old and the young alike give everything they have, to help, to survive, and to tell the world how their camps know no fun, no peace.

Why is the world so cruel? And don’t blame God. Those innocent people despite all their misery, never do, because that’s not God’s doing. When you believe that life is temporary, you’ll definitely understand that evil will never last– just like fire, which eating and destroying itself.

Isn’t it ironic that some believe Adam’s forgiveness guarantees his offsprings the same blessing, regardless of their deeds? But, Adam committed just one sin, yet he spent his whole entire life repenting, working hard, learning, and nurturing his pure soul. Adam’s hands had no blood, his heart felt no hatred, and his soul knew no greed.

I’m sorry to disturb your rosy memories of camping.

I only hope that you would at least pray for those who are suffering in other camps– camps that know no roses, no sweet dreams.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

daily prompt

It’s Not Hard

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When do you feel most productive?

You feel most productive when you achieve something – small or big, simple or complicated, slow or quick. So, you have to achieve something to feel productive – whether the most productive or a bit productive, right?

By the way, I think that productive achievement doesn’t need to be innovative. It could be something you’re doing everyday or once a week, or it may even be a long -‐awaited step that’s finally taken. However, this thing has to stir and fill you with positive feelings, like pleasure and contentment. In the end, it’s not just about the achievement itself, but about how it impacts your well-being.

I feel most productive when I focus on the things I love, and when I let go of the worries about the things I don’t.

It’s not hard to feel productive when it flows naturally, but it becomes hard when you try to force it.

With hope and peace,

Nahla



daily prompt

Can you guess what it is?

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Describe a risk you took that you do not regret.

There are many risks I’ve taken that I don’t regret, and I’m sure I’ve written about them in my posts. Some might be easy to notice, while others might just need a bit more focus to find. But today, what’s popped into my mind is something different. It’s related to my WordPress blog–something that I know would affect my blog. Still I took the risk, and have never regretted it.

Can you guess what it is?  Have you noticed it?

When I first started  my blog, I was (and still am) determined not to connect it with my other social media accounts. I was just thinking of my blog as something special–a quiet, small conder away from the choes of my other accounts. I knew back then this choice wouldn’t bring me more audience, visitors, followers, or likes to my blog. I knew that all. Still I took the risk, and I don’t regret it, because I am still writing. And, in that quiet, small corner I call Pure and Simple I appreciate you all–my special readers.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

daily prompt

I Didn’t Answer This One Last Year

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Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you.


I smiled when I read today’s prompt. Do you know why? Because I remembered why I didn’t respond to it, and today, I decided to share my thoughts.

But, first, let me explain why I didn’t answer this prompt last year. That’s simply because I believe your answers would be the same as mine.

Today I just thought of the concept of family as a blood – related entity. By the way, this means I didn’t exactly alter the question but read it differently.

So, within this context, the positive thing I have been learning is that family is family. You can’t trade them, and you can’t change them either. You can’t just wake up one day and decide to erase them from your life no matter what hurt or disappointment they may cause you. You can do that with strangers, because nothing ties you together. But, you can’t do the same with your parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.’They are family,’ you will say every time you feel you’ve had enough, right?

Out of this positive blood-tie bond, another positive strategy is born that can help you avoid non-essential problems: It is the art of ‘Mind Your Own Business.’ According to this strategy, you don ‘t ask too much, you don’t play the peacemaker when you are not involved in the scene, and you don’t volunteer to give advice or suggestions if you were forced into the scene. In the end, family tends to overlook what others say, but not yours especially if they didn’t approve your participation because, simply, you’re family too.

With hope and peace,

Nahla





daily prompt

A Craving Hobby!

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Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve outgrown or lost interest in over time?


Some hobbies can depend on mood, taste, company – and, more importantly, the moment. Have you ever noticed that? I have.

I love colouring with pens and pencils, but I’ve rarely tried using brushes. I believe all children enjoy colouring at different levels; it somehow captures their attention and relax their mood. Colouring is the hobby I crave, like special things at special moments, shared with very special people.

So, in my childhood, I loved and enjoyed colouring. But as we grow, some old hobbies are pushed aside and eventually  become abandoned. But, they don’t completely vanish.

During my pregnancy, I craved colouring. A month after my husband and moved to the UK for his postgraduate studies, I bought children’s colouring books and pens.  I coloured them all in no time, selected my favourites, cut them out, and decorated our walls with them. They added life, beauty, and much fun to our small flat. However, I didn’t crave it in my second pregnancy, and it was pushed aside by the demands of life.

My faded hobby revived and was full of fun when God blessed me with a daughter after my two boys. We used to colour together and challenge each other to see who could make the best colouring. However, as we discovered other favourite hobbies, colouring was once again pushed aside.


They say colouring is an effective alternative to meditation, and it truely is. It extends time and makes every moment more enjoyable, putting all your worries and fears at the back of your mind. Perhaps that’s why you might crave it at special moments with special people.



With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Important and Unimportant

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The most important invention in your lifetime is…


Aren’t all the important inventions just the unimportant ones in the past – the laughable stock,  trivilaties, and extravagance.

Haven’t you ever felt like shouting; ” Enough inventions, please! Let the world follow its natural rhythm, don’t challenge it, don’t destroy it.”

It seems like there has alawys been the spoiled child that once upon a time decided to make the world and its inhabitants his playground. And he did, and still is.  Unfortunately, his madness was contagious, and instead of having one spoiled child, the world tries to survive with a gang of spoiled ones that have been growing like weeds all over it.

All inventions become important, desirable, and unbelievable. If they are not, then they are not worth mentioning, and sadly no nominations. But people in the past and the underperiviliged ones used to live or are living without them. That’s simply because they are not essential, not as important as they seem to be. In other words, they are not the air and water in our life.

Isn’t it funny that the Great Pyramids in Egypt were built mainly to be the tomb for His Highness, the great king? That is one of the greatest inventions in the history of civilization – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It seemed important to His Highness to make all the sacrifices and use all the super brains to create such a remarkable invention as his last ultimate resting place. But, the important invention, wasn’t essential to give him another life- didn’t change his destiny.


Similar, funny things happen nowadays that are called important inventions. We believe they are, or will be in the near future, as if the world doesn’t have enough, as if a simple grave wasn’t enough for the burial of the great Pharoah.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Perspective And Life

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How do significant life events or the passage of time influence your perspective on life?

Your perspective of something or someone is how you see, think, understand, and feel them, right?

And life? What is life? It’s how you are here. It’s the breath coming in and out. It’s your heart and soul. Am I right?

My perspective of life is that it’s a gift, the most precious gift we’ve been blessed not only to have, but also to live. It’s the one and only priceless gift you’ll ever have in your lifespan on this earth.

For how many people would you say; ‘You are my heart and soul.’ Only the most dearest.

How many things would you put your heart and soul into? Only the best.

Time slips through your hands just like water. Good and bad moments and events come along your the journey. Still, your previous gift remains priceless, irreplaceable. If only we can appreciate it, and never give up, all other challenges would be easier to manage and overcome.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla