Category: Just writing

Just writing

All Is Forgiven

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How simple and relieving is this sentence!

But, of course, you wouldn’t grant it to others every now and then. Or would you?

Suppose, for example, you had a bully at school, or at your workplace, or even in your neighbourhood. After every disaster caused by this person, they put on a repentant mask, shed a few tears, apologised, and swore on the name of God to never repeat the awful deed, never cause any harm, never cheat or steal from you. Would you grant them your forgiveness?

Before you reply, please be honest and realistic, because unless you’re, God Forbid, another bully you’d have only three options:

In the first scenario, you might voice the words, but from the bottom of your heart, you’d pray that the ground would open and swallow them whole, delivering them straightaway to hell.

In the second scenario, you’d scream, “Never!” out loud, and be either a martyr of bravery or live with all its consequences.

As for the third, you’d play the diplomat and remind the forgiveness seeker, that genuine good deeds erase bad ones. That’s God’s law. The Most Merciful knows what lies deep in the heart, but of course there’d be no need to voice the final addition.

If you had the three options, which one would you choose?

And, finally, don’t forget that all can be forgiven but not forgotten.


With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Children’s Parliament

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That was an old children programme on an Arabic channel years ago. I don’t know why it crossed my mind as I was thinking about writing something. I guess that’s, maybe, because these days, some children are not only becoming extremely famous, but also extremely manipulated.

In the old Children’s Parliament programme, children were given the opportunity to discuss topics related to their lives, innocent childhood problems and needs; school issues, health issues, family issues, and hobbies. But, I think those days are gone forever.

Nowadays, it seems that many children have different interests and duties. Thanks to social media and other technologies, and the world’s madness, they not only have their own media accounts and online business straightaway after they entered this world, but they are also granted unreasonable privileges.

Nowadays, you can watch children in midnight festivals and ceremonies. They are accompanied by their powerful, influencial parents to share their special “success” in a completely non -child -friendly environment. They might come on stage, be interviewed, or play at the His Highness’ office. And, their parents smile and laugh to the camera to draw a perfect parental image, and role model to the whole world.

If you have a previous gift, your most valuable in the entire universe, would you expose it to everyone even if you’re surrounded by all possible sorts of protections? Would you make it part of a cheap drama? Would you use it as a blackout, a shield, or a mask to manipulate others, and protect yourself?

And that’s not enough, you hear those once -in -a lifetime parents say; “oh those poor children in that faraway neighbourhood, their parents don’t care about their safety and welfare. Those other children need to be displaced and relocated in a different, robotic environment, to be safe and perfect just like ours.” But, aren’t theirs nothing but victims of this self-centred life?

It’s said that some people, no matter how genius they could be, sometimes God lets stupidity be their sole guide. But, children can be clever enough to survive their parents unwise plans.

I wonder if one day Children will not only have a real Parliament, but will also be allowed to rule the world?

Isn’t everything possible these days? Who knows what the future holds?

Let’s pray things will change to the better!


With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Apracity

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It’s cold today, but it’s also sunny. I love it when you feel the warmth of the sun on a cold day. You not only feel the warmth of the sun; you also enjoy the blue sky, the green grass, and even the brown bare trees. People, big and small, old and young, will either put on their coats or not, and go out for a walk or a run.

It’s finally a sunny day.

Would there be any surprises in such a beatiful day? I have a funny one.

It’s sunny and cold, yes, but what’s more refreshing and enjoyable than taking the clean laundry out to fly with the light wind and dry under the warm sun?

I did, but before I closed the door, my bird ran after me. He stood on the airer and kept looking at me. To my surprise, I didn’t panic, didn’t try to catch him, and didn’t feel sad either. He would definitely fly away, soar high, and forget about me, I thought and continued hanging the clothes. But he didn’t fly away. Instead, he flew back inside and straight into his open cage. I really can’t express how happy I felt and am feeling.

They say when you choose to stay when you have the full freedom to go, you deeply feel you’re belonged and loved.

That’s the apracity of my day.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Astrophysics

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If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?


Isn’t it incenrdible that space scientists or astrophysicists are working hard, really hard to create life and build new world on other planets? Or is it Not?

If I had the opportunity to have the power to issue one new law, I wouldn’t let it pass without submitting my proposal on this issue.

But first, since it’s all imaginative, I’d like to also have the opportunity to imagine a different me, in a different setting. I am Her Majesty the Queen, or His Excellency Mrs President.
I’m sitting at my famous desk, with the formal legal document of my new law in front of me. Journalists, interviewers, small and big cameras, assistants, ministers, mayors, and others whom I don’t know and wouldn’t wish to know, are just a few meters away. They are surounded by bodyguards or supe – powerful gurads, or whatever. I’m actually trying hard to stifle a laugh, wondering what the point of all this gathering. My law is going to be signed whether they like it or not.

Before reading my law out loud, the flashing and clicking of cameras makes me blink and feel ill at ease. No one is allowed to talk or even whisper before I reveal the new law. I choke and cough, and my voice sounds muffled in my ears. Am I catching a cold? I wonder, and find a crystal glass of water in my hand as if by magic. I sip some water and it tastes so cold and sweet that I am tempted to drain it in one gulp. But, I can’t. Her Highness would never do that. What do I have to do with Her Majesty? Oh, that’s me. I have to sign my new law. The gathering and people both online and offline, are waiting to hear it.


I look down at the document and read: Astronomers and astrophysicists can go to whatever plantes, to the moon, and even to the sun on their own cost, using their own expenses. As for us, normal people we’re amazed with our own planet, and we’ll never give it up.

Signed.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla












Just writing

I Still Have An Accent

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‘I still have an accent,’ an acquentence said one day, as we were having tea and cake at a café.

I told her that I didn’t notice that at all, as her English was so good, but she didn’t seem convinced. ‘I can’t wait to get rid of it,’ she insisted, making it seem like a big problem. I couldn’t help but wonder why it was a big problem.

Do you think it’s a big problem to have an accent?

Honestly, I don’t mind. Why would you mind if your mother tongue is different from the language you’re using for communication in your new place? In fact,  I find it interesting, different, and even special. Isn’t it the same when a native English, or French, or any other speaker speaks Arabic with an accent of their own tongue?

Over the years I have found that it’s hard for English native speakers to pronounce the ‘H’ in my name because it’s followed by ‘L’. Therefore, they drop the H, and instead of Nahla, they pronounce it Nala. I understand the difficulty, and don’t mind. We are created with different tongues, aren’t we? Isn’t that encouraging to learn and understand others?

In another context, a few years ago, while we were on holiday in Tunisia, I found it so interesting how their Arabic has a French accent. I really liked how different and unique it sounded. This is the same reaction I have when I meet Arabic speaking people from the Gulf region. Sometimes, it takes me a moment or so to understand, but I like how it sounds. I wonder how common it is to find people speaking the same language with different accents. Isn’t that what they call the tapestry of linguistic diversity?

The only exemption from this phenomenon is children. They are so quick, so ready to become bilingual with a fluent accent. I’ve noticed that in my own children, as well as other bilingual children. Perhaps, that’s because children don’t force it or overthink it. It just slips off their tongues so naturally and easily.

I still have an accent, and I like it.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Are you even human?

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Do you think it is a positive or a negative comment? I’m really curious, wondering what comes first to your mind just right now. 

As for me, it’s positive, definitely positive. That’s how I feel and think about it, though unfortunately, it puts humainty into a very critical situation.

Imagine, you received your exam paper with a full mark result. ‘Are you even human?’ they asked, full of wonder, because it seemed you were the one who still uses the best miraculous creation: your brain.

In another scenario, imagine you wept your heart out after your small bird died. ‘Are you even human?’ they asked, again full of wonder, because it seems that butchers outnumbered all civil professions.

You see how you, as a human, need your brain and your consciousness, to prove your capabilities and uniqueness to deserve your living on this earth. After all, God creates us not to be robots or angels, but to be humans with superior qualities compared to everything else. 

Are you even human? Yes, it’s a great honour to be.

Does it make sense? I hope it does.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Old Habits

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Old habits die hard. Or, can they?

Have you ever thought that this saying relates to both good and bad – or unnecessary habits. I mean its a double – meaning saying.

“Old habits never die,” is a great and encouraging saying, espcially when it comes to positive habits, like brushing your teeth before going to bed, or taking off your shoes before entering the house.

However, “old habits never die” can also relate to negative habits that you can neither give up nor change. In such cases, you may feel trapped inside their strong, tight net. Still, with determination and strong will, it is believed that your bad old habits can either die or transformed into positive alternatives.

Have you read The Apple Tree by Daphne du Maurier. In the story, Medge, the deceased wife, is portrayed by her husband as having the worst habbit that seems not just hard, but impossible to die. No only that, her husband puts all the blame for their unhappy marriage on her, as if he were an angelic husband fallen down from heaven.

Can you guess what Medge’s old habit that never dies ?

Here’s my review link if you want to know.

https://nh825.wordpress.com/2025/02/06/the-apple-tree/



With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Panacea

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Isn’t it a wonderful word, full of magical solutions?

I believe it is. 

For example, reading can be your panacea for good company, walking for excerise, sleeping for exhaustion, travelling for boredom, etc.

But what is the panacea for good quality writing?

All of a sudden, I started wondering while reading my book last light. I added a bookmark to the page I stopped at and decided to write down my first thoughts the following day.

And here I am today, completing the post while Blue, my bird, stands before the screen, watching my fingers tapping the keyboard. He’s feeling miserable and restless, because Sky, his mate, has been poorly for days.

So, back to Panacea and good writing.

First of all, I thought it might be to write everyday. You’re really amazing if you’re doing this. Sometimes, I wish and try to do this too, but I don’t think that’s my panacea for good writing.

Second, I thought it might be reading. It’s said that the more you read, the more your writing improve. That’s so true, and it can be a good step towardes achieving good quality writing especially if you, like me, get deeply engaged in the book you’re reading. In fact, that is very beneficial when it comes to writing book reviews.

Third, I thought of the time and the place. Perhaps, if you fix a certain time and place, you will feel more oraginsed and committed, and create your best piece. That can be another good step, but it’s not a practical option for everyone, especially those with other priorities.

And then, I thought of Inspiration. It is like a magical pen with mystical ink that turns thoughts into flowing words. It isn’t limited to a special time or place. You can be inspired by a quote, a picture, an adage, a memory, a dream, a daily prompt, or a post by a talented blogger. The most special thing about inspiration is how it makes writing flow – makes it easy and unique.

Is inspiration your panacea for good quality writing?

It is for me

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Recorded Messages

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Why do people send recorded messages instead of calling or even writing a text message?

Perhaps it’s because they are busy or because they make typo mistakes, just like me when writing in a hurry. Or, maybe, they just want to prattle knowing well that you don’t have the time to listen. In these cases, you won’t feel offended or marginalised. Instead, you would laugh when you press on the message and hear it.

But there’s also a possibility that the sender doesn’t want to talk to you. Their recorded message feels just like a mission or an ethical, obligatory duty to inform you of something. In this case, you wouldn’t laugh because you feel marginalised, and so distant from the voice you’re hearing. It’s at this moment, you wish it had just been a text message. At least then, you wouldn’t have your hopes up.

Years ago, people used to send letters and postcards. Back the, the sender didn’t just use their special handwriting, but also their voice, their feelings, and their unique signature. No wonder why people, in the past, used to wait for postman. No wonder, they treasured their correspondences and kept them safe and secure. And, no wonder people loved to write letters as much as to receive them.

By the way, have you ever wondered why recorded messages sound so well-prepared?

I have, and I feel they are just like a drama after so many rehearsals.


With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Endearment

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Is there anyone who wouldn’t like to hear or receive some endearment? Genuine ones. Pure, simple ones. Endearments that are not related to flattery or hidden self-interest.

Although people are different,  I believe the possibility that one’s heart will not soften at receiving an endearing word or gesture is small. Even those with rock – solid hearts, or worse, dead hearts, should have a spot of tenderness hidden deep whithin them that would respond to a genuine endearment. Why, even animals and plants can be affected by endearing behaviour.

Now, can you think of the opposite? Instead of being the receiver, being the transmitter. In other words, can everyone instead of receiving endearment, be able to give any? I don’t think this is common because not everyone has this talent.

Imagine two people watching a singing robin at their windowstill.
‘Hello there, sweet, cute, little friend,” one says feeling so happy at the sight of the bird.
‘He’s just a bird,’ the second says, not in bad way, but he simply can’t add any more, believing that a robin is one of so many birds.

Can there be special, irreplaceable endearments? Of course there can, though nowadays, I doubt if people really care about that. A year or two ago, I noticed what I believe is an odd phenomenon. Either on social media or at social gatherings, I heard children calling their parents by their given names. In the beginning, I thought they were just joking or it was a game. Mine make the same joke at home, somtimes. But what I saw, was not for joking, playing, or disrespect. It was like a new fashion taught by parents, like a new, modern parenting style. Honestly, I find it odd, and disliked it. What could be a more special endearment than hearing “mama” and “papa”, “mum” and “dad” from your children? Who else would call you “mum” and “dad” from their own hearts?

Endearment isn’t only about sweet words.Nicknames and your own name can be just as endearing when uttered by a special person, or even given genuinely by a stranger. It is something that can warm the heart and fill it with happiness.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla