Tag: blogging

Just writing

He Thought He Owned The Mine

nhpureandsimple

Some people carry this ego that swells until it bursts.

Have you ever met anyone like that?

There’re plenty of them — especially on the news.

By the way, I borrowed the title from this old saying: 

I not only thought I had struck gold, I also thought that I owned the mine.

Isn’t it so true?

After one success, some feel they are the best in the world.

After one massive profit, some believe they control the entire market.

After reaching the king’s throne, some imagine they will rule the whole world. 

Nonsense.

The predecessors of this kind — with all their knowledge, wealth, and power — left the world not only empty-handed, but with a history marked by shame and disgrace.

People remember that kind for their evils, just as a reminder, a moral lesson, a path we’re warned not to follow.

Has your mother ever warned you not to listen to the whispers of the devils?

Haven’t you ever wondered how some people have excelled the devil in his own craft?

Actually, the devil himself would be so astonished by the high level those people reach that he might apply for early retirement before his eternal journey back home to hell.

By the way, the saying above doesn’t apply to these ego-swollen humans.

Here it is again; 

I not only thought I had struck gold, I also thought that I owned the mine.

It applies to those with a nagging conscience — those ones who admit their mistakes and try not only to fix them but also to learn from them.

Though the devils know their mistakes; in fact, that’s what they live for and by, they neither fix them nor learn from them.

But for humans, it is never too late to learn.

Isn’t it.

 

With humble human thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

Winter in April

nhpureandsimple

It’s April, and how it arrived so quickly, I’ve no idea.

But according to the calendar: it’s officially the first of April.

But why are you stretching the heavy blanket of winter?

You’re supposed to bring spring with its warm sun, blue sky, and colourful flowers.

Up to this very moment, it’s freezing cold here,

and rainy,

and the only colourful flowers are the ones in the supermarkets.

Not only that, you’re bringing along news of an unexpected guest: the wind.

She’s planning a short stay for two days soon, I heard.

Honestly, earlier that day, I thought it might be one of your fool tricks.

But no — it wasn’t.

You’ve just announced, clear and clean, that winter’s mood is still on.

But March announced that the summertime is already here, 

with a promise of long, bright days.

What’s wrong this year?

If you had a fight with long March,

or if you’re simply confused by the chaos in the world,

please don’t make us scapegoats for others’ madness.

Anyway, welcome April—

and thank you for the spark of sun that shone just as I finished this post.

Is this a promise of new hope.

Please be kind.

With kind and hopeful thoughts, 

Nahla

Just writing

Yes, definitely — it’s Light

nhpureandsimple

Well.. it’s rainy and windy here in my place.

Really, the weather has been so unsettling over the last week, 

and the week before,

and perhaps the week before the week before. 

Fine. 

It’s been like that for a while,

and this ’while’ might be days, 

or months,

or even years.

But today isn’t so grey as it used to be.

The sky is bright,

not too bright,

but bright enough to show some of its hidden light.

The kind of long awaited light you expect to see at the end of the tunnel,

for you don’t want to walk along a narrow tunnel all of your life, do you?

You sure want to get out,

to breathe the fresh air,

to feel the warmth of the sun,

and the gaze at that magnificent azure in the clear sky.

It’s Light, you scream.

Definitely light, your tears roll down your face.

Perhaps your prayers for 

hope,

peace,

and…

justice. 

are finally being answered. 

With light and bright thoughts,

Nahla

Philosophical musings

Creditors and Debtors

nhpureandsimple

It feels like I haven’t posted in so long, though it’s only been a week or even less.

But when one gets busy, the mind can’t concentrate in too many things at once, can it?

By the way, this post isn’t about money.

They say creditors have better memories than debtors. 

And of course, that makes perfect sense in the financial world. 

The lender with the upper, steady hand would by all means save, register, and arrange all the details of the transaction. 

On the other side, the borrower, with the lower, shakier hand, would delay, delete, or even freeze any memory of what’s owed or what should be paid back.

Right.

Now… do things work the same way in the non–financial sides of life?

In those close relationships — with family, friends, neighbours, and even those brief but meaningful acquaintances who pass through our days?

Would there still be creditors and debtors?

And if so, who would you think have a better memory?

Well… things happen, right?

But let’s stay on the positive side.

Love, kindness, forgiveness, and all the other beautiful traits we offer to those close, special ones — comes with no conditions, no deadlines for return, no legal action to take, and no double interest added for any delay. 

So no— there are no creditors, no lenders in these relationships.

There are only the givers, with calm, warm hands,

who save a good memory with no alignment, no regret, and no remorse.

The receivers here are not borrowers with shaky hands.

No.

They are the blessed, the fortunate ones.

They can even hold a better memory than the givers, if only they honour kindness with gratitude. 

Sometimes we just need to think positively.

even when the world seems to focus only on creditors and debtors. 

Still, there are kind humans and grateful ones

too.

With kind and grateful thoughts,

Nahla

Philosophical musings

Seek Simplicity But…

nhpureandsimple

Can you guess the rest of the quote ?

Here’s it all:

“Seek simplicity but distrust it.”

How dare Mr Alfred Whitehead doubt the sincerity of Simplicity?

I started this blog and named it “Pure and Simple” for the sake of simplicity—and then comes this quote, accusing simplicity of being untrustworthy.

I know my philosophical musings may, sometimes, give you a headache,

or leave you a little lost,

or even bored. 

Do they?

But this doesn’t mean distrust, does it?

Oh my… 

It’s just crossed my mind that I’ve muddled things up.

Poor Mr Alfred isn’t accusing Simplicity at all.

Actually his quote is in favour of simplicity, not against it.

Simplicity is about the art of simplification.

So instead of leaving us with one whole rock, simplicity can soften it into clay—something we can handle and understand. 

In other words, simplicity gently breaks the complex into smaller, simpler pieces.

Then it breaks those pieces into very tiny ones.

They may scatter into a maze, or a little a mess, 

but they become more flexible—easier to explore, enjoy, and read.

That’s when Distrust arrives with a warning:

Don’t mistake simplicity for nonsense.

Don’t mistake it for weakness.

And definitely don’t mistake it for superficiality.

So, finally, with a big sigh of relief,

I’m happy I came across this quote today.

It feels like a little booster to stay on the path of Simplicity.

With pure and simple thoughts,

Nahla

P.S.

I only discovered this philosopher through this quote—just in case you think I’m well-versed in his philosophical works for I am not.

Philosophical musings

Sanity

nhpureandsimple

If you’re still checking your sanity these days, you should be grateful.

Because this means you’re sane, with a sound brain, a beating heart, and a functional memory.

And congratulations

if you still have enough logic to make accurate conclusions.

if you can still see properly, not only your reflection.

if you still can hear others, not only your own voice.

if you can still feel this inner voice that reprimands, blames, or even nags you to think twice before making a decision.

Insane people have none of those capabilities.

None at all.

Truth and lies become equal.

Hate and love become equal.

Good and evil become equal.

Even worse, 

they know no morals, no respect, no dignity.

And…

they believe they are the only sane ones on this earth.

And some people applaud them, 

nod in approval,

and pray the Almighty will bless the insane.

Bless the insane?

You wonder, bending over laughing — and your sanity replies: 

Congratulations, you’ve just passed your sanity test. 

With sane thoughts,

Nahla

personal thoughts

Out of Sight

nhpureandsimple

Do you know this saying?

“Out of sight, out of mind.”

In Egypt, people say: “Out of sight, out of heart.”

Which one do you prefer?

Well… it seems to me that both sayings are talking about different things.

The first one is so true. 

If you can’t see something fully, you can’t remember it. 

It just slips from your memory,

simply, because you have no interest in it.

The second one talks about emotions, 

and about special people—

those close ones, 

the ones you love, respect, and appreciate.

According to the Egyptian saying, 

if those close ones are out of sight, 

your feelings will change 

and may become less or fade away.

But can this really happen?

What about children

when they grow up and leave the nest?

Will parents and children apply this saying

and let their existence slip out of the heart

just because they are out of sight?

Of course not.

Why doesn’t your pet, the one who died

 or the one who flew away, 

still have a place in your heart?

You still smile at their memory.

You still remember them.

What about the one who once treasured with sincere advice?

Or the one who showered you with the kindness you needed most?

That respected teacher who taught you morals before  knowledge?

Wouldn’t they always be in your heart? 

But of course, my interpretation of the Egyptian saying

cannot be applied to all people. 

Some people may push you to drop them out of sight and out of heart,

completely and without regret.

You will offer thankful prayers with utter sincerity when they are out of sight. 

As for your heart, it wouldn’t mind,

for those people would never have had a place there anyway.

So…

can we agree that the special will always be special, 

and that those dear, happy memories, 

will always be in sight and in heart. 

And.. remember 

the heart always has its own memory 

regardless of sight,

regardless of distance 

 

With in–sight-and- in –heart 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