Category: daily prompt

daily prompt

The electronic mold

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Do you remember life before the internet?

A few years ago, I was visiting with my father-in-law as we were on our summer holiday back home to Egypt. He was in his late-sixties, and though he was suffering from some serious health problems, he was mentally and physically okay. One of his granddaughters had just left when we arrived.

As we were having some tea together, my father-in-law couldn’t hold his temper any longer. He huffed and puffed, and I put my tea cup back on the table, holding my breath. I didn’t know whether he was in pain or whether he was devastated by anything. I remained silent, praying my any one would join us in the living room. No one did. And, the poor man exploded.

‘She was on that junk machine for the whole day. Her fingers tapping and tapping all the time. Her eyes fixed on that trash. She didn’t hear, didn’t see but that … phone.’

I swallowed and thanked God mine was in my bag.

‘That’s what she always does every visit. It’s stuck in her hand. In the kitchen, at the dinning table, and even in the bathroom.’

When I burst out laughing, he smiled and his anger evaporated a bit.

‘Stupid generation.’ He added before changing to another topic.

I think this summarises how life has changed after the internet, or can we be more accurate and say after having it on our cell phones. A few years before this happening, my in-laws’ house was full of life and noise. People, young and old, were talking, playing, laughing, arguing, etc. But, after the interent has become widely used and accessible, life is mainly about being live, online. That why my father-in-law couldn’t quite fit into the new generation’s electronic mold.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Why recall them?

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What sacrifices have you made in life?

Why do some, if not most, people recall their sacrifices when they feel hurt or betrayed by others. And sometimes, they become jealous and angry at some. Don’t expectations, in this context, make one’s  sacrifices more like a bribe, or rather a debt? I’ve sacrificed such and such for you, but inside, I was waiting for the moment when you repay me in some way or another. To do what I’ve been expecting. Or to support me later on in life.

Gratitude is a noble quality, and of course we all like to receive some  appreciation for any help and kindness we give through life. But that doesn’t mean to throttle others by the sacrifices we’ve made for them.  For example, some parents often brag about the money and time they have sacrificed for their children. They would expect their children to enroll in a particular university, or apply for a specific  job, and, in some cases, to pay back each pound and even each hour their parents have invested in them.

Don’t you agree that any genuine sacrifice is related to a lawful cause? In other words, it cannot be a sacrifice when one gives up their beliefs and principles for the sake of temporary pleasures, but the opposite can be. Besides, doesn’t a sacrifice  imply pure and sincere inention. How else could we enjoy the deed and feel its blessings?

A sacrifice is a true sacrifice when is motivated by love, commitment, and contentment.

No coercion. No payback. And don’t count them?

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

A third option

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Are you a leader or a follower?

Some people are born to be leaders. Some gain this role as a gift, a blessing, but others fight for it, trying to grasp it by all means, legal or illegal – lawful or unlawful. The first category has people’s love and respect, but the other has people’s fear and desdain.

On the other side, some people play the followers. I can’t say they are born to be followers because we are humans not robots. There are some who believe whatever others say, do whatever others command. How could they do the opposite if they believe they are in no position to think otherwise? They think they are nobody, and nothing is worth sacrificing the comfort of everyday mediocrity.

Thinking of both, I think there should be a third option. Some people  seek neither blind submission nor supreme leadership. Here’s why.

First, it is a huge responsibility, a heavy burden, an awful nightmare to lead others, to take the responsibility for their lives. It’s also so dazzling, so tempting that once you take the step, you’d get trapped into its role’s circle web. Isn’t it enough to be asked one day about your own deeds? A leader would also be asked about those who trust and follow them.

Second, it’s a shame to live your life  just following others, imitating them, ignoring whatever is happening around you, accepting whatever you hear, and trust whoever you meet. That’s a follower,  in my view. Perhaps, at some point, in our life, we have lived this bland, blunt life, but it’s also expected to get out of this phase once and forever.

Everyone has their own touch in life, their own dreams, and their own abilities. Do I have to follow the same recipe to get the same perfect result? ? No. Never. I’ll make some changes. I will add things and omit others. In the end, I am the one making it and the product is mine. But, thanks for the inspiration.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Safe and secure

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What does freedom mean to you?

I’m free to do such and such. I heard this sentence quite a lot. But, is freedom mainly about that? Is it to do what you want or to not do what you don’t want? Independence. Perhaps it is, but surely there are other interpretations, other significances.

What about the feelings of security and safety? Aren’t these concepts considered part and parcel of freedom. Aren’t they, in some way, imply it fully?

Imagine you’re on an aeroplane going on holiday. You’re in your business class cabin. A pretty hostess, with a warm smile, serves you the best food, the best drinks. You feel free, pleased with your plan, your decision, and your money. Half way through the flight, awful turbulence starts rocking the miraculous invention- your plane. Every bone and muscle tremble in your frightened body. Your chest tightenes, your breath catches. You pray for nothing but safety. You need nothing but security. Now, you think your freedom means nothing without both of them! Safety and security.

Safe and secure. That’s why children feel free with their parents around. Why a couple feels free when they vow to share their lives together. And above all, that’s why believers feel free when praying and talking to the Creator.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

For just one day

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What’s a job you would like to do for just one day?

I don’t know whether you would agree, but when reading this question I thought why not thinking of the things I dread the most. Things that I will do my best to evade or skip. Why not try one of those challenging jobs for just one day? Why not imagine yourself doing it better than you have ever expected? In the end, you will blink and smile as it was such a pleasant dream, wasn’t it?

Oral examinations and presentations have always been my nightmares though my result have always been rewarding. Thinking about that now, I would say why not try a motivational speaker for one day? Just take a deep breath, keep things simple and brief, and be yourself.

It’s said words from the heart reach the heart, even if that was just once, just for one day.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Life

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What gives you direction in life?

Every experience I live and each lesson I learn out of it, guides me toward a new direction in life.

We learn not only from our mistakes but also from those of others and that opens before us a new direction to follow in life. Our stories, whether short or long, with the people we know, e.g friends, colleagues, or even our family, also play a role in guiding us toward a direction that would add or change something in our life.

The Almighty doesn’t only give us life but He also puts on our path certain people, some unexpected changes, some blessings, some trials, or even some ideas or books that would make us live a different experience and follow a new direction.

Life, with its ups and downs, will draw before us too many directions, and we have our own reasons to decide whether to follow any.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

What is meant to be

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Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?

What is meant to be, will always find its way to you.

Honestly, I am not sure whether this is a quote, but I always keep it in mind.

I believe that what is written for me, will be for me and what isn’t written for me will never be for me. That’s part of my faith.  But, sometimes, I find it hard to accept things this way. Sometimes, I find patience so cruel and useless. But then, I start count my blessings, and pray for God’s compensation.

In Arabic it is common to hear people say that one can never take the Rizq (substances) that God has bestowed upon another. Yours are coming on time.

Indeed, your blessings will find you just in time.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Regret

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Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?

Do we regret the actions we couldn’t take or the ones we had taken? If you ask me, I will say we mostly regret the ones we did take.

A friend once told me that she regretted not having swimming lessons at a young age. Adding to its health benefits, she believed it is a lifetime skill. I totally agree, but I think things would have been no different if we wound time back. Simply, because swimming was neither a hobby nor a priority for the two of us.

Another said that her husband spent his life suing others at court until the day he died. Would his life be different if he had reconsidered his actions against his opponents? Would he have enjoyed some peace of mind, some happiness with his wife and his only son? Would he have wished to listen to the wise saying, ‘forgive your enemies, but remember their names?’ What do you think?

Words once spoken can never be taken back, and actions once taken can’t be erased from our life record. The harm, pain, and sufferings all caused by the wrong actions we did and the foolish words we uttered. Hence, don’t regret the opportunities you’ve missed but regret the worthless actions you have already committed.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Baking

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Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.

The first thing I thought of when I opened my blog today was baking. Perhaps, because of the delicious aroma that’s wafting in my house today. Yes, today, I am baking some pastries for my family. I’m not professional, but, the aroma alone is enough to make your mouth-water.

‘Happiness is homemade.’ Whoever said that was so wise. What can be better than baking and cooking experiments at home? A good meal and a bad one. Fail twice and succeed thrice. Baking fills our homes with fun, warmth, and long-lasting memories.

I believe that even when we follow the same recipes, our dish will taste different. Because, what we cook or bake is not just about the ingredients. You, the cook, the baker, add your feelings, your efforts, and even your own taste buds into the recipe, and that makes the final product taste different and special.

Happiness is absolutely homemade,

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

The unexpected

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Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.

Nowadays, and perhaps even years ago, it’s become hard, no, rare, to find someone who offers you something without expecting something in return. Believe me, that happens even with the simplest things.

One day, one of my husband’s friends invited us for dinner. We had a good time and enjoyed the nice food. The next day, I met one of my friends and we babbled about a few things, including the nice dinner my family and I had enjoyed the day before. Although I had already noticed the change and tense in my friend’s face once she stepped into my house, her face reddened and her eyes bulged behind her glasses after she heard about the dinner invitation.

Perhaps, she was wishing to be invited as well so we all could have a good time. But, perhaps the man couldn’t because, as a matter of fact, his flat was so small that he could only accomodate one family at a time. And, perhaps he did that on purpose. I was pondering the possibilities when all of a sudden she said, ‘he should have returned what he owed us first.’ So, that was it; I invite you, so you have to invite me and before anyone else.

Kindness and good deeds have become a debt that,unfortunately, are not given by a benevolent but by an ursher who wants to use you by all means. But, pure goodness and kindness exist and will always be there even if their proponents are becoming fewer and fewer.

One day, my family and I went on holiday. The hotel we booked was way too far from where we were exploring the city. The only taxi we could reach would be available within forty five minutes. ‘Why not walking instead of waiting,’ we decided and headed up a steep hill dragging our shopping bags. The road narrowed and we had to walk in a line. Then, all of a sudden, a lady called after us from  the opposite side of the road. We stopped and turned to look at her. She was the only person on the road, and there was nothing but the cars racing along the road.

There, she cried out asking whether we need a lift. We looked at each other and felt we were saved as it started raining. A godsent, I  whispered as we crossed the road to join her. Although her car was a small one that wouldn’t fit all of us, she offered to take us in turns. That would be too burdensome for her, we believed and asked her for a taxi number instead. I thanked her from the bottom of my heart, and I couldn’t help but embrace her.

We don’t encounter such pure and unexpected kindness every day, do we?

With all the best wishes,

Nahla