Category: Just writing

Just writing, Philosophical musings

The indelible Pencil

nhpureandsimple

They say this kind of pencils exists.

Have you seen or used one?

As far as I can remember, I haven’t had the honour yet.

So… whatever this unique pencil writes, draws, or even scribbles will never be erased nor changed.

Right?

Apparently, the only way to get rid of its powerful effects is to either tear the page into pieces or burn it altogether.

But just a moment… does this indelible pencil remind you of something?

What else can’t be erased?

What else can’t be changed?

What else can’t be manipulated?

Don’t think too much?

It’s Reality.

It’s been written by this indelible pencil.

Such a bold, sharp, steady word.

Some might try to hide it, erase it, or bury it.

Still, it stands clear and firm.

Without shouting, 

without lies,

without pretension, 

it waits with a smile, proud of its existence and confident in its triumph.

The indelible pencil smiles too, as it watches those pencils with erasers being binned one after another.

By the way, do you think our thoughts are written by an indelible pencil?

But that doesn’t make any sense.

Because… we can erase them, or change them.

Things might be hard,

but not impossible.

And…

don’t forget: the pencil your mind uses has an eraser.

With real and clear thoughts,

Nahla

 

Just writing

Reading and Mood Change

nhpureandsimple

Surprisingly, my reading in February was better than expected.

Perhaps it’s because my reading interests and mood have changed.

This change began not as a challenge, but as a wish to read something different.

I love fiction, with its imagery, prose, and intriguing narratives.

Is there anyone who doesn’t like stories? 

Maybe.

By the way, fiction is still my favourite.

But… sometimes a title of a certain book crosses your path and intrigues you enough to have a look.

This unexpected friend introduces you to another field, another scope of knowledge. 

You start listening while reading. 

You start wandering into a new world.

You start feeling how little you have known, 

and how many interesting topics there are to learn about and from.

They say changing habits and routines is good for your brain.

What do you think?

I agree.

This wasn’t the main reason why I decided to read nonfiction, though.

But I’m glad I did, because I’m both enjoying and learning from this temporary change.

Let’s wait and see which path my reading will follow in March.

That’s all for today,

With reading thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

Sophistry

nhpureandsimple

Can you believe that sophistry is considered a form of oratory? 

Well.. the book I’m reading now says it is.

And I agree.

Because both oratory and sophistry are mainly about talking while showing the ability to impress, persuade, and even manipulate others. 

Strange how a sophist, in most cases, practices his craft through manipulation, deception, and deviation. 

And stranger still, how there are so many of them these days! 

But to be fair, not every sophist is a manipulator. Some just talk nonstop, but without lies or trickery.

Their talk might give you a headache until you give up and buy what they say.

But of course this is nothing like dominant sophistry, the one that justifies using any means to reach its aim.

Do not fall into the trap of sophistry.

But it’s okay to fall into the trap of philosophy. 

At least philosophy is known for its devotion to truth.

By the way, how is the weather in your place?

Mine’s been windy and rainy for days.

 

With philosophical thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

If you’re not hungry, don’t eat

nhpureandsimple

Make sense. 

But now two simple questions rise and need urgent attention. 

First: What if you’re not hungry but craving something?

Second: What if you are hungry but you’re fasting?

Here comes the hardest challenge: to eat or not to eat.

And this is the most critical question.

But seriously, this is a drama over nothing.

Why do people make things complicated?

Food is not going anywhere.

It’s temptation that is trying to conquer determination.

But with faith, determination stands tall and strong against any temptation.

By the way, have you ever tried fasting?

It’s healthy.

It’s also part of faith. 

Ramadan Mubarak to all the bloggers observing and persevering through this holy month.

With faithful thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

Practice Makes Perfect

nhpureandsimple

Really?

Doesn’t perfection have a bit of biased tone in the phrase?

Isn’t it just a figurative expression?

You have been practising writing for a while, maybe for years. Right?

Me too.

But this doesn’t mean the product is perfect.

I don’t think the works of those great, famous writers are perfect either, even with the support and help they receive.

So technically, practice is not about perfection, 

but improvement.

The more you practice, the more you improve… 

or the more you get used to and familiar with the thing.

When you’ve improved and become familiar with whatever you’re doing, you’re doing well, or maybe even very well.

If that’s what “Perfect” means that, then it makes sense.

Practising writing, for example, is great to improve your talent,

find your voice,

and probably make use of your own musings.

Practice makes none of these perfect,

but perhaps more interesting or more… creative.

And that’s what turns whatever you’re practising into an enjoyable routine, a task, or even a habit.

Practice builds consistency, improvement, and…

more importantly confidence.

So… keep practising, not for the sake of perfection, but to prove to yourself that you can do it.

That’s all.

With practical thoughts,

Nahla

 

Just writing

As Young… As Old

nhpureandsimple

“Youth is not entirely a time of life.

It is a state of mind … 

you are as young as you hope, 

as old as you despair.”

Isn’t that a beautiful quote? 

Surprisingly it is by anonymous.

Does this make it less beautiful?

No.

Still, some people may reply: Hope is for the young and the old live by nothing but despair.

Sure, these ones’ level of desperation exceeds all limits.

Apparently, they only read “old” and “despair” from the entire quote.

They think “anonymous” means “nobody”, and therefore not trustworthy. 

But let’s focus on the sunny side.

Hope is the light that nourishes life, energy, dreams, and continuity.

Despair is the darkness that binds life, energy, and continuity.

Whether you are young or old,

it’s all about how you direct your state of mind:

towards hope or towards despair,

towards light or darkness.

And perhaps you can also direct your mind to

appreciate the advice,

even if it was given by someone anonymous.

Because anonymity makes the words belong to everyone.

With sunny thoughts,

 Nahla

daily prompt, Just writing

The most important invention in life.

nhpureandsimple

I know this is technically about real big inventions like cars or home appliances.

But life is overflowing with important inventions. 

Really, if you pick one, you’ll find another more important.

When I search for something, I find dozens of versions of it.

They seem important, some very important, but later you realise they are not.

Haven’t you been living without them for a long time?

Of course you have.

This is why I thought of something else.

Something that only you can invent,

only you can use, 

and only you can keep.

Can it be my style? I wondered.

And, why not? I answered.

But, there are different kinds of styles.

Still, you are the only one who can merge them all.

Have you ever noticed how you, consciously or unconsciously, follow one style in everything you do?

By the way this isn’t a fact, just an observation.

How do you choose your clothes?

How do you design your house?

How do you eat and make food?

How and what do you write? 

And so much more…

All of these can blend together and invent your own style.

And it’s important, very important.

It can tell others more about you.

And perhaps… 

it can also explain why you cope with some but not with others.

With new quiet thoughts,

Nahla

P.S. this is my second response to today’s daily prompt.

I totally forgot about my first.

https://pure-and-simple.co.uk/2025/02/06/important-and-unimportant/

You can consider this post is an extension to my first response.

Just writing

February, Readings, and Me

nhpureandsimple

Is it already February? 

Yes, it’s the fourth of February.

This month is so impatient.

It’s generous with its sunny days, but stingy with its warmth.

So why am I talking about February?

Because my book-review website, which is already struggling, will apparently struggle even more.

I’m planing no addition to it this month.

It is not easy to review a nonfiction book in a personal, contemplative blog. 

I can do that for research and theoretical studies, but not for a blog that’s meant to protect my peace of mind blog.

So, back to Mr February.

Please slow down, have some mercy on my book-review blog.

The Japanese book is interesting, but it has three big parts which could, actually, count as three books, if only I had the time to read them.

And there’s another problem; I already have my reading plan for the month of Ramadan, which begins on the 17th of this month.

Oh, my poor Japanese book, I think I picked you at the wrong time.

But don’t worry, I’m determined to finish you one day.

And as for you, my book-review blog, have a quiet break.

All sorted out, Mr February.

With busy-month thoughts,

Nahla 

Just writing

Motivation

nhpureandsimple

M for moral.

O for open-minded.

T for try.

I for important.

V for value.

A for alternatives.

T for time.

I for ideas.

O for optimistic.

N for new.

If you ever get stuck in any situation ( writing included), try playing with its concept, its word, or its technique. 

It really works, but only if you want it to.

Now… the word “motivation” can sometimes and…. unfortunately have unpleasant connotations.

But anyway it all depends on your Motivation.

With optimistic and moral thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

Start again

nhpureandsimple

How many times do you get disappointed about something?

How many times do you get confused, shocked, and sorry?

A lot, right? 

But isn’t that life? 

Sometimes you feel you’re too close to achieve your dream, 

Too close to touch it, 

Too close to hold it.

And then, at some point, you find yourself standing there,

 right in the middle of nowhere.

Shall I give up?

Shall I go on? 

Shall I follow this direction or that one? 

Was it ever meant for me?

It’s hard when you get caught in this trap of disappointments, especially when you’re trying your best,

trying to focus on the sunny side,

on the full half of the cup.

Then…

you realise your only opportunity is to start again.

Shall you take it?

Why not? 

Isn’t this life too? 

It tests our faith,

our patience,

and perhaps also…

our strength.

It seems to be yelling, 

“It’s time to start again.”

With positive thoughts,

 Nahla