Tag: blogging

Just writing

Safe place

nhpureandsimple

Have you ever found yourself having to move to another place? A totally different place? Or, perhaps, to a bit farther from the familiar place, faces, and things you used to see and live with?

I did.

Whether you planned for that change or it was imposed on you, whether you are happy or mad about it, the result is the same: you have to move.

And you move becuase it was time to leave that certain place, those certain people, and the those certain things you have been doing. Perhaps it’s to make a new beginning, a new life, new friends, or new projects. But, perhaps it’s also to move you into a safer place. That doesn’t necessarily mean being saved from natural catastrophes. But there could be other types of catastrophes; social, personal, emotional or even moral.

In my heart, I believe it’s mainly God’s timing. It is a divine mercy. God is the One who knows best, and He is the One who will always put us in a safe place.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Change the world!

nhpureandsimple

What change, big or small, would you like your blog to make in the world?

Should it be to change the world? Isn’t it changing already every second? Isn’t it full enough with “influencers” who believe they are the new inspirational figures in our changing world.

Honestly, years ago, when I started blogging I was not thinking about changing the world but changing myself. That can’t be selfishness, can it?

Anyway, my first thought was to write again, to practise a hobby I had long forgotten, and to turn my voice into written words. My second thought was to change my daily routine, my social media circle, and my everyday conversations. And, my third thought was to be the writer I have once dreamed to be.

So, and back to the issue of  changing world, I hope my blog would encourage others to write, to smile, and to believe that life is not an accident.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Mine

nhpureandsimple

List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.

1. Heaven exists, and hell exists both in this earthly life and in the hereafter, as both are the outcomes of our own deeds.

2. Money is a double edged sword.

3. A cosy warm house is better than an extravagant cold palace.

4. ‘You are the apple of my eye.’ That’s children in our life.

5. A happy marriage doesn’t imply perfection but rather fidelity in thick and thin.

6. ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed.’ Wonderful saying that can only apply to AI nowadays.

7. Dreams have special messages.

8. Reading is another life, another education.

9. Some people are meant to be wiped from your memories, while others are meant to be always remembred.

10. Never underestimate the power of prayers.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Noah’s Ark

nhpureandsimple

Someone was commenting on the current events around the world saying ” Is it really logical that people nowadays are from the offspring of the righteous people who had embarked on Noah’s Ark. But then, what kind of morals did those who had drowned in the flood have?’

That’s funny but it also makes a good point.

But, perhaps, we should think more about Noah than his people or his offspring. How did he cope with mockery, hatred, and betrayal? How didn’t he give up building his Ark? Never. How strong was his faith? And how he made a new start and lived a better, longer life?

Noah was patient, faithful, and resilient. He had never lost hope, never abandoned his faith. In the end, he was saved while most of his people drowned.

Could we just embark on Noah’s Ark and do our best to live a good,  healthy life on this earth?

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Second CV

nhpureandsimple

Have you ever heard people say that your quotes is your second CV? Well, I have read about that recently. Does this make any sense? I think it does.

Our CVs are loaded with our qualifications, work experiences, hobbies could be added, and some personal details. Of course all information provided should be well crafted to support our applications either for work or studies. Besides, all information provided should be accurate and up to date. But, does that guarantee the acceptance, your being a successful applicant. Absolutely not. That could be for many reasons. The first might be because you’re unqualified. The last could be because you’re highly qualified. But then, the whole issue is mainly about qualifications – which, nowadays, are quite like a silver spoon in the mouth of the AI generation.

When you decide to include some of your favourite quotes, or even the most you like in any of your readings, do they give any idea about your personality, your life, your values, and even your sense of humour (if you have any)? I believe they do. And, that’ s how your quotes become your second CV.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Mine

nhpureandsimple

If humans had taglines, what would yours be?

That reminded me of the day I created a website and started blogging on WordPress under the title ‘Pure and Simple.’ I think it was around 2016. My plan was to write blogs that would have a simple style and a pure content. By simple, I meant brief and easy to read. By pure, I meant genuine – things that would be reflecting my thoughts, my voice, and my personality.

Now, thinking of my tagline I think it would be: Live a simple life and do your best to keep pure.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

The electronic mold

nhpureandsimple

Do you remember life before the internet?

A few years ago, I was visiting with my father-in-law as we were on our summer holiday back home to Egypt. He was in his late-sixties, and though he was suffering from some serious health problems, he was mentally and physically okay. One of his granddaughters had just left when we arrived.

As we were having some tea together, my father-in-law couldn’t hold his temper any longer. He huffed and puffed, and I put my tea cup back on the table, holding my breath. I didn’t know whether he was in pain or whether he was devastated by anything. I remained silent, praying my any one would join us in the living room. No one did. And, the poor man exploded.

‘She was on that junk machine for the whole day. Her fingers tapping and tapping all the time. Her eyes fixed on that trash. She didn’t hear, didn’t see but that … phone.’

I swallowed and thanked God mine was in my bag.

‘That’s what she always does every visit. It’s stuck in her hand. In the kitchen, at the dinning table, and even in the bathroom.’

When I burst out laughing, he smiled and his anger evaporated a bit.

‘Stupid generation.’ He added before changing to another topic.

I think this summarises how life has changed after the internet, or can we be more accurate and say after having it on our cell phones. A few years before this happening, my in-laws’ house was full of life and noise. People, young and old, were talking, playing, laughing, arguing, etc. But, after the interent has become widely used and accessible, life is mainly about being live, online. That why my father-in-law couldn’t quite fit into the new generation’s electronic mold.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

There is a time

nhpureandsimple

There is a time to accept change, to make new beginnings. If you haven’t planned for things to change, and if the change has taken you by surprise, then I believe you have to accept it.

It’s all like being on a train journey. You have your ticket, and you know your destination, but you are also aware you might need to change trains or there might be some delays. In every circumstance, you have to cooperate, to accept things becuase it will be futile and illogical to stay stuck in the stationary or broken down train.

I have moved quite a lot since my husband and I had decided to make our big move to the UK. Honestly, in every move to a different city, I felt as though change sought me out rather than the other way round. In other words, I have never played the role of a nagging wife, either crying to make changes or fighting to resist any. I accept it. But then, with each move, I found some hidden gifts for me. I met with new people, I learn new things, and I change. 

A godsend is not always desguised as a human. Unexpected changes in our lives can also be divine blessings.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Why else?

nhpureandsimple

Imagine you have a long list of contacts, relatives, and acquaintances and you rarely hear from them either through normal calls or messages. You thank God when some have the sense and reply back to any of your messages. Then, all of a sudden and out of the blue, they call and talk nonstop.

‘Oh, did you know what happened?’ ‘God, how funny those old days were!’ ‘You haven’t heard about that, have you?’ ‘My parents always remember you in their prayers.’ Etc. That’s their common narrative introduction.

And, almost, when you think perhaps you have been unfair. Or perhaps you are the one who needs to call quite often, just then, your dear caller relieve the reason behind the memorable call. In good scenarios, they will ask for a favour or a piece of information, or to know bits and pieces about your news that had already reached their ears by others. But, in worse scenarios, they will erupt like a volcano and throw their flames of accusations and hidden grudges.

That’s when I think of ‘why else’? Why else did they call? Sometimes I switch off this nugde of ‘why else,’ and enjoy the show. But, when things become too much, I choose my peace of mind and it becomes thanks but no more.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Why recall them?

nhpureandsimple

What sacrifices have you made in life?

Why do some, if not most, people recall their sacrifices when they feel hurt or betrayed by others. And sometimes, they become jealous and angry at some. Don’t expectations, in this context, make one’s  sacrifices more like a bribe, or rather a debt? I’ve sacrificed such and such for you, but inside, I was waiting for the moment when you repay me in some way or another. To do what I’ve been expecting. Or to support me later on in life.

Gratitude is a noble quality, and of course we all like to receive some  appreciation for any help and kindness we give through life. But that doesn’t mean to throttle others by the sacrifices we’ve made for them.  For example, some parents often brag about the money and time they have sacrificed for their children. They would expect their children to enroll in a particular university, or apply for a specific  job, and, in some cases, to pay back each pound and even each hour their parents have invested in them.

Don’t you agree that any genuine sacrifice is related to a lawful cause? In other words, it cannot be a sacrifice when one gives up their beliefs and principles for the sake of temporary pleasures, but the opposite can be. Besides, doesn’t a sacrifice  imply pure and sincere inention. How else could we enjoy the deed and feel its blessings?

A sacrifice is a true sacrifice when is motivated by love, commitment, and contentment.

No coercion. No payback. And don’t count them?

With all the best wishes,

Nahla