Just writing

A different aim

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If you could have something named after you, what would it be?

Something named after me? The first thought was a mosque. But I soon changed my mind.

But why should mosques bear the people’s names? I asked myself. As a Muslim I believe that we should not boast our good deeds. Your left hand should never see what’s your right one is giving. Therefore, how can one justify writing their names on a mosque? It’s none of your property. Our money is mainly a means to construct the place of  worship. Besides, the Almighty knows your name, your intention, and your offering. So why name a mosque after me.

I searched my mind and urged each of its cell to find something. I thought and thought until the answer came to me.

It’s a title of a chapter in a book about the lives of Muslim women in a foreign country. Why just a chapter and not the entire book? Because it’s neither an autobiography nor a memoire which would  typically be named after a specific person. Besides, that wouldn’t be my aim. A chapter bearing my name would preserve both my experience and my existence within a colourful  picture and a broader narrative.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Unexpected moments!

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What makes you laugh?

Unexpected situations can make you feel either happy or miserable. Have you ever, when got embarrassed because of something, found yourself burst into a laughter instead of crying. Unexpected things can indeed make you wish the ground will open and swallow you up though later, if not at the same moment, you will laugh from the bottom of your heart.

An old friend told me once about her first visit to Madame Tussaud Museum in London. The place was so packed and after seeing so many make-real human statues, she stopped before one of them. She was so fascinated by the design of the necklace around the lady statue’s neck. My friend stretched her arm and fingered that beautiful piece of jewellery. But, all of a sudden, the statue moved its head and its eyes fixed on my friend. Oh, my … you aren’t a statue; my friend gasped and apologised to the lady who smiled in understanding. After her shock and embarrassment, my friend kept laughing until her tears washed all over her face.

Whenever I go to London or hear about Madame Tussaud Museum, I can’t help laughing as I remember this unique memory of my friend.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Generation gap

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When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Have you ever thought that, from years ago, a five year old child is totally different from their peers today.

Years ago, when parents or  grandparents asked the younger ones what they wanted to be when you grow up? They answered; a doctor, a teacher, an engineer, a pilot, a mechanic, …. . Their  dream was to go to university, to work hard and earn their living from a prestigious job. Sometimes their dream came true, and sometimes not.

Nowadays, a five years old child, in most cases, doesn’t have a specific dream. They don’t even have the ability to talk and think about that at these early years of their age. Although, they are far smarter in technology than their peers years ago.

The generation gap is massive but perhaps that depends on how we raise up our children and what changes are taking place in the world around us. Unfortunately, the modern phenomenon of easy money is erasing the what do you want to be when you grow up question from the dreams of this generation’s young children  

By the way, I remembe I always wanted to be a teacher though that changed later on in my life.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

A double-edged sword

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How has technology changed your job?

Truly, technology has made our life much easier, simpler and it’s saved much of our time. At work,  home,  shopping, communicating, travelling, reading,  writing,  the list of its benefits is indeed extensive. And, that’s the positive edge of the sword; the one that can heal and help.

On the other hand, technology has caused serious psychological and sociological issues; separation, lack of privacy, wasted time, immobility, lethargy, forgetfulness, triviality, conflicts, and more. The list of its disadvantages can go for ever. And, that’s the negative edge of the sword, the one that can be a poision and a killer.

Whatever your job is, and even if you are a student, this double-edged sword will always be your companion from now on. Yet, it is one of your possesssions. You park your car in the driveway, yet you have also two legs to walk. You have an assignment due within a couple of weeks and, with one click, AI could finish the job. But, you have also your brain, your own style, your own thoughts and feelings that can produce a genuinely unique piece of work.

We have been created to make use of things, not to be used by them. 

With all the best wishes,

Nahla 

daily prompt

Why rush?

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How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals?

Does this “no” truly depend on your goals? Or, does it merely depend on satifying your inner desire to refuse whatsoever interrupt your plans. In other words, making yourself a priority before anyone or anything else. I believe, in most cases it’s the latter.

How often do we say or receive “no” without considering saying “yes” instead.

In Arabic culture, there’s a common saying that suggests; the word Yes is soothing. Does saying “yes” imply you are weak, submissive, or aimless. Of course not, as long as you keep on track to fulfil your plans or goals.

To make my point clear: imagine you’re going on holiday with your friends. The trip was planned but money has not been paid, yet. Then your mother came into your room. You told her about your plans, but then she asked you to make a slight change of dates.

Before even asking for the reason. ‘No,’ you say. ‘I’ve already made my plans,’ you add. ‘But you haven’t even asked why?’ Your mother say. ‘I am not going to change my plans, but okay why? You ask, reluctantly, and then your mother explains her reasons.

Would the world had fallen apart if your “Yes” came before your “No”? If you put aside your priorities and think for a minute or so until you know the reason. Would things be better if you say; ‘Yes, mum, I haven’t paid for it yet. I will see what my friends think, but if we couldn’t make changes, I promise to do that before or after the trip.

The scenario could be different with the  mother playing the son. But, the underlying point remains the same. Why rush to say “No”, if it can say “Yes” first. 

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

A hidden talent!

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What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had?

I believe every one of us has some hidden talents. Sometimes, the discovery of your hidden talents struck you all of a sudden. Oh, really, how I haven’t realised that I was talented in so and so; you said and regret the time you’ve wasted without developing it. But, sometimes, you also just keep doing special things unaware of how much you’ve been blessed with such a talent. The good news is that in any case, you are having at least one hidden talent which others will recognise about you even if you can’t admit that yourself.

Writing was my favorite hobby since I started going to school. I used to help my mother writing letters to her family as it would have taken her so long to write any and her handwriting was not good. My older splings were not interested, but I was. Year after year, my writing compositions scored the highest marks of the class for my school grades. Over all my school years, writing was such a hobby, one  of  things I like and am good at. 

Then, one day on my second year at university, our Arabic tutor assigned us a task to write a piece of our own choice. Arabic was one of the compulsory modules. He gave us one week to finish the assignment with the promise that the best fives would be published in that year’s Arabic textbook. Our essays shouldn’t be more than one page.

My father had passed away on the same year, just a month before I received this writing task. Wthout thinking twice; I chose a title and poured my feelings during these days into the one page piece. Two weeks later, I received my friends’ congratulations as my piece was published in our Arabic textbook. “The Fate We Can’t Escape!” My eyes fixed on my work title, couldn’t believe I had made it.

Writing has been my hidden talent which I’ve come to love and work on year after year.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

The change

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What is your favorite type of weather?

When it is cold, freezings, raining, or snowing, we hurry indoors seeking some warmth. We enjoy a hot cup of tea, a good meal, and a cosy home.

When it is warm and sunny,  or even a bit hot and boiling, we hurry outdoors seeking some cool breeze and a nice walk on a crisp morning. We enjoy fresh juices, cold drinks, outdoor meals, and the colourful nature.

Can we live without this change of weather and its different seasons? That change is what makes life interesting and more beautiful.

So, I like it when it rains, when it snows, when it’s warm, and when it’s cold. My favourite will always be the time when my beloved ones and I are safe and well.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Influential

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Who was your most influential teacher? Why?

You know that the most important aspect about the word ” influential” is the nature of the influence not the term itself. In other words, your most influential teacher is not necessarily the one who makes a good impression on students, nor should s/he be a good person.

I was in year seven when a new teacher introduced herself to my class as our English teacher. She was beautiful, chic, and clever. Since then, I loved my English lessons  and did my best to be one of the best in my class. However, there was a significant issue which, despite my young age, I couldn’t overlook. She was unfair and she was one of those compliments seekers.

One day, when she was collecting our English  homework, I told her I couldn’t do mine because I had joined the school trip with some students in my class the day before.  She told me I had to be punished. I told her that it was my first time not to hand in my homework on time. She insisted on the punishment. I was punished. I wept from all of my heart when my friend, sitting next to me, was forgiven. My friend joined the same trip and couldn’t do her homework either. But, my friend was a good compliment giver. Unfair, I said in my head and hated my teacher.

But you know what? Years later I earned a degree in English language from one of the first and most prestigious universities in Egypt. And a year later, I married and moved to live in the UK. And, later on,  I started my journey for postgraduate studies.

My teacher may have not been a good example, but I am certain that she was one of the hidden forces that pushed me to study English more and better. Did  I know that I would need English that much later on in my life? Absolutely not. That was God’s plan and my teacher played a significant role in it. 

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Can it be do less?

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What do you wish you could do more every day?

You know it’s useless. You know it’s too much. You know most of it is fake. Still, you spend more than enough time on social media. Thank God, it’s mainly Instgram that I browse every now and then. Yet, when I do, time slips away like water and of course you can’t get it back. I am still in control, but I really wish to spend less and less time on it.

As for the thing I wish to do more everyday; it is walking. I do some walking everyday but, with other commitments, I can’t do enough.

Walking is not merely an excerise but it also a wonderful opportunity to contemplate, breathe, and enjoy your surroundings. And, good company makes long-distance walks even more enjoyable and entertaining.

Wishing you all the best,

Nahla

daily prompt

Tattoo in a story

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What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?

This prompt reminds me of a true story that you might find either funny or serious.

One day, I was scrolling through Instagram posts when I came across a post from a converted Muslim talking about the tattoo on his arm. Apparently, that wasn’t the first time he explained this issue to some Muslims who have been critcizing him for having tattoo.

The man explained that he was an atheist, raised in an atheist family, and his uncle’s was tattooist. That’s how he got the tattoos on his arm. After converting to Islam, he wanted to remove them, but he was told that the process would be both painful and so expensive. That’s why he still has them. If only they had been made of something like henna, it would have faded away after all the ablutions he’s been performing following his conversion to Islam.

My knowledge about tattoo is limited, but from what I’ve heard and read, I understand that its harms outweigh its benefits (if it has really any). That’s why some Muslims believe it’s forbidden to put any.

And don’t you agree that there’s nothing more beautiful than your clean natural look.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla