Tag: blogging

Just writing

Not our pet

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What animals make the best/worst pets?

The Arabs and people in the Mideterinian region in general like cats. They are such adorable creatures that make your heart melt as they rub themselves against your leg, or give you one of their begging meows.

One day, my family and I moved to a new house. The area was so beautiful but so quiet especially at night. Then, a few days later, and just before going to bed,  I heard meowing at the doorstep. My husband and my boys, who were still young at that time, went downstairs and opened the door. There, they found our cute night visitor; a tabby taking shelter under our small shelter. When I joined them, the cat was still meowing at the door. She had a collar, but apparently all she wanted was to get inside our house. I let her in and she straightaway started rubbing her wet fur against us. Later on, I discovered that it was the pet of my next door neighbour. So, she wasn’t a lost cat. From that day on, the cat became our popular and so welcomed guest. 

We had moved again, but  I still remember that cat and its name, and still have its photos.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Two groups

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What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?

I am not a fan of the Olympics. Yes, it’s an international event represent and gather people from all the continents. Yes, it is encouraging athletes all over the world to train hard and long to measure their abilities and prove their strength. At the end, the bestĀ  will win and be awarded a medal or a trophy. The winners will receive cheers and a good round of applause from the audience, their fans. But that’s it. The compition is mainly held for that end, for its participants and their audience. But, what if you don’t belong to all of that?

Some people likeĀ to have their own rhythm that suits their style and abilities. They don’t wish to win a running race, but they do wish to go for a walk with good company and enjoy some of their time in peace and joy.

Both groups are winners, but with their own pace and reward.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Community involvement!

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How would you improve your community?

Honestly, my first reaction to today’s prompt was to laugh. Of course, it is a noble aim to work on improving your community. However, this noble aim brought back a mixture of bittersweet memories about my experience of the very topic.

Some people love to be in charge, to organise things, to make online groups, to give speeches, to be in the spotlight, and to have their photo filling the whole frame. That’s the type of people, I came across, and were, in most cases, calling and taking part in improving the community. I do agree that they indeed do good things; online groups, trips, picnics, paquets, forums, etc. The aim is always to build a strong community that would support its members and represent their existence. But, is that the only way to improve the community? Do things really represent that platonic society, that perfect image?

From my experience, these groups with the ‘do-not-think-I-am-your- boss’ attitude, perhaps improve the external of the community, but not its internal construction. In most cases, taking sides, disputes, and conflicts drive some people to walk away and reject the whole community.

Hence, I have come to learn that it’s you, the person, the human being, who can improve the community. A good parent, a good teacher, a good doctor, a good shopkeeper, clerk, nurse, etc we all can make good role models and create a good generation that can benefit the community. Although we haven’t been created to be perfect, and we all have our flaws, we all are born with a living conscious. If only we could raise above our own ego and interests! If only we could respect each other and spread kindness! If only we could be genuine and trustworthy. Wouldn’t that be a better way to improve our community?

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

That nightmare!

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How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?

The pandemic! That was such a hard time. Those long days were like a nightmare that you didn’t wish to live, but couldn’t escape either.

Do you remember the lock down, the vaccines, the masks, and the sanitizers? Didn’t you attempt to strengthen your immune system through food and exercise? Didn’t you keep up to date with the latest news of the pandemic? Wasn’t that what the majority were mainly concerned and worried about?

But then, we made it and lived it with its good and bad days because after every hardship comes ease, and, in most cases, there will be a light, an opening, at the end of the long dark tunnel. That’s how I believe.

I wept. I worried. I tried everything. I looked after my family, and they looked after me. And, with every passing day, I learned to pray more and to hand my worries and fears to my Creator. That’s how I adopted throughout those long days. That’s how my family and I   regained our high spirits, our fun indoors and outdoors, and our close ties together.

Just writing

Early to bed

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What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?

“Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Such a beautiful saying that encourages us to make full use of each day in our life.

Rising up with the sun, or better yet, a little before, makes the day so long that even the laziest person on earth will find himselfĀ with something to do.

People in olden times used to bake, cook, clean, and do all other housework, as well as outdoor chores before sunset. They would get up before sunrise and go to bed straight aftersunset. With no electricity, no takeaway meals, and no cleaners, they still lived and accomplished more than we do nowadays. And, they socialised every now and then, read books, and maintained close family ties.

It’s a good idea to make and follow your own routine. Since we are different, we will have different priorities and schedules. It would be wonderful if we all manage to keep this ‘early to bed, early to rise’ rule.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Rare

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Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?

Do you think to be unique is to be just different? I don’t think so, but I think to be unique means to be special or to have something special. In other words to be Rare.

As we are talking about people,Ā in most cases, it’s a rare characteristic that even the person honoured with their uniquness is unaware of it. That’s one of the main aspects of being unique; you don’t aim for it. It’s a blessing before being an earned trait.

Your heart, what’s hidden deep in yours, is also what can make others believe you are unique. Your true kindness, true loyalty, and true honesty are making you unique in this make-fake-real world. I believe that even brilliant actors will show their true faces sooner or later.

Your principles is another important aspect that can make you unique. I believe they’re your second signature in this world. In a world where the majority play ‘the yes man’, you will be your unique self when you stand for your principles and beliefs.

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,Ā  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 lessonsĀ  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 EnglishĀ  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. Thatā€™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