Tag: Faith

daily prompt

How Strange Is Our Brain 

nhpureandsimple

What’s the best way to deal with negative thoughts?

Yes, how strange! 

That brain in your head can play tricks on you.

In a moment, it can make everything rosy, nice, and safe.

At other times, it turns the magnificent world into a dark, gloomy, and scary image.

And it’s your brain, the same machine working up there in your head.

Is it making fun of your useless powers?

Maybe.

But you’re the one in power, in control of this unique machine.

Now what are you going to do with these bad thoughts that visit your brain every now and then?

Well.. I’m going to ignore them, 

and to tiptoe around them so they wouldn’t hurt me.

But bad thoughts are just like that bully

who won’t stop bullying others until someone stands up and slaps him in the face.

I can’t they will attack back, stronger this time.

They are all pretences.

The bully is nothing but pretences that will shatter like broken glass after one big slap.

So what am I supposed to do?

Face them, fight them, and conquer them

Some people just can’t.

And some people can.

How?

Maybe out of strength,

or wisdom,

or experience,

or faith.

But they are so powerful.

But the tortoise won the race against the hare, 

and the ant saved the elephant.

Still… I can’t 

Then you’re the one needs the slap

Slap.

With strange-brain-thoughts,

Nahla

daily prompt

Religion and Practice

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Do you practice religion?

Do you practice religion?

It reminds me of the questions my children used to ask when they were little.

Why do we pray, mama?

Why do we fast?

Why are we allowed to this and not allowed to do that?

And their list of whys multiplied over the years.

When children are young, it’s better to give answers that satisfy their curiosity, not their spirituality.

Their innocent hearts believe in God innately.

They need no big, fancy words or explanations at such young age. 

So… my answers were usually simple, and straight to the point.

For example, for the first question I would say; We pray because God wants us to pray, to stay close to Him, always.

Over the years, as we grow older, we not only understand but also feel the strong connection between religion and practice. 

For me, religion without practice is….

a path without direction,

a candle without light,

and a heart without blood. 

Sometimes we get lost, confused, and even a little prodigal.

Yes… no one is perfect.

But without following directions,

without lightening the candle,

and without purifying the blood, 

life becomes a maze, a snakes -and-ladders game.

And this child’s innate belief in The Creator will easily fade as we grow up.

Only practice can restore faith.

It gives us the nudge that keeps us on track.

And it can soften the heart and purify the soul.

Religion cannot be without faith,

and faith cannot live without practice.

With practiced religious thoughts,

Nahla

personal thoughts

Out of Sight

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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, Philosophical musings

Faith and Friendship and December 

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“Anyone who requites faith and friendship as I did, will have to pay for it.”

The Professor’s House by Willa Cather. 

I’ve already shared my review of this novel, and this quote has inspired me to write this post.

The reason behind this quote was the loss of a friend —not through death, but through disagreement and disappointment. One was an idealist, the other an opportunist. Though they made good company together, at the first conflict, their paths parted. It was the idealist who said these words, lamenting the loss of true friendship to uncompromising ideals.

Faith and friendship are such precious gifts— too precious to be returned, too fragile to be repaired.

One is blessed to have them strong, and to keep them safe and nourished. 

How strong? How safe, how nourished? 

The balance depends on how much you are committed.

Along this journey,

perfection and idealism are neither required nor recommended.

Materialism, modernism, and other -isms have no place here.

These precious gifts need a simple home with strong pillars.

Understanding and sincerity can be the main pillars. 

But, if the pillars break, the building will collapse.

Then, regret follows,

and what a heavy, merciless creditor regret can be!

In brief, this is my interpretation of the quote, which I see as the bulb of the book. And perhaps you might think of it as… just a pat on the shoulder on the first of December. 

With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

Pray For Flowers…

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…but don’t be surprised when the Almighty sends rain first.

Success, happiness, peace, health, wealth, and victory are all flowers of a beautiful harvest.

The hardworking, 

the innocent souls, 

the broken hearts, 

the poor victims, 

they all pray.

Day after day,

Month after month.

A year passed.

A second year too.

They wait,

and

wait,

and

wait.

Then, instead of flowers,

God sends rain,

Heavenly rain,

Blessed rain.

To wipe the tears of the mournful,

To relieve the pain of the suffering,

To quench the thirst of the tired,

To wash away ashes,

To nourish the land.

And let flowers blossom,

And Bloom,

again and again.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

Dreams and Hope

nhpureandsimple

Sometimes, you pause and think: 

Aren’t dreams … just dreams?

Can this dream, actually… truly come true? 

Does hope really exist? 

Is there ease after hardship?

And then you smile, take a long breath, and whisper: 

Yes they say they are dreams, but dreams can come true.

Yes, hope exists; there’s always tomorrow

And yes, ease comes after hardship, for there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.

Don’t you know that the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) begins with a dream, and ends with that dream coming true?

Have faith!

With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

Amity

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Amity is not just about friendship. Right?

Amity is about harmony, peace, and goodwill, wherever you find them. You might find it hidden between the lines of a book, or expressed as a simple thought in a post, or wrapped as a warm greeting in a text message.

But you know what? Amity is becoming rarer and rarer these days, but that’s not its fault. Noble qualities don’t go out of fashion. They don’t become extinct. They are just … not loud, not showy, and definitely not fake.

So, amity is one of those noble qualities that love to build, rebuild, and rebuild. In other words, if mistakes or wrongdoings break part of it, apologies and sincerity can mend it. It can wait, accept excuses, and even fix broken things, but not forever. It may lose its cheerfulness, its patience, but never its light.

And there’s something special about amity. It can melt lead, soften hearts, and overcome even the fiercest enmity.

Have you ever heard of the adage: “After enmity comes love?” By the way, it is well known in the Arabic world. But… honestly, I think this kind of transformation needs miracles. I believe in divine miracles. And, I believe only God knows which enmity can be softened into amity, and which heart is truly open to love?

Am I confusing you?

I hope not.



With hope and peace,

Nahla










personal thoughts

What is the Art of Waiting?

nhpureandsimple


It’s the highly esteemed virtue—

the companion of wisdom,

the friend of perseverance,

the key to peace,

the first rule of trust,

the fuel for success,

the road to love,

and the gate to happiness.



Am I missing something?

Oh yes—

it’s the prayer we repeat,
believing it’s been heard
and will be answered
at its perfect time.

Now, do you know what the art of waiting is?

It’s patience.
And it is really hard to master this highest form of art.

But, sometimes, people test your patience until you can’t hold the horses anymore. You won’t just let the horses go wild, but you might burn the bridges or, like Samson, destroy the temple.

Perhaps that’s why patience can’t thrive without faith.

Aren’t the patient the most blessed?



With hope and peace,

Nahla

daily prompt

Why is the world so cruel?

nhpureandsimple

Have you ever been camping?

What’s the first thought that crossed your mind when you read the word “Camping”?


The fun times, family holidays, starry nights, games, laughter, and the warm campfire. Am I right?

Now, have you ever thought about the people living in the heart of this world who have no choice but to live in camps with very basic qualities and facilities? These are people who, not only face unimaginable hardships, but have been forced to move, perhaps every single day, just to escape death and live one more hour of life with what remains of their family.

There, in those heartbreaking camps, starry nights are full of danger, and days full of hard work. Children’s eyes are full of tears and fear. Mothers and fathers dig life with their nails, striving for their families’ survival. The old and the young alike give everything they have, to help, to survive, and to tell the world how their camps know no fun, no peace.

Why is the world so cruel? And don’t blame God. Those innocent people despite all their misery, never do, because that’s not God’s doing. When you believe that life is temporary, you’ll definitely understand that evil will never last– just like fire, which eating and destroying itself.

Isn’t it ironic that some believe Adam’s forgiveness guarantees his offsprings the same blessing, regardless of their deeds? But, Adam committed just one sin, yet he spent his whole entire life repenting, working hard, learning, and nurturing his pure soul. Adam’s hands had no blood, his heart felt no hatred, and his soul knew no greed.

I’m sorry to disturb your rosy memories of camping.

I only hope that you would at least pray for those who are suffering in other camps– camps that know no roses, no sweet dreams.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

story

The Simple Answer

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One day, thousands of years ago, a Bedouin passed by a believer who was tending for some chores outside his humble house. Without greetings, without any introduction, the Bedouin threw a question at the believer.

“Why would I believe in God?”

The believer turned and smiled at the man. “And, why not? You have nothing to lose and perhaps far more to gain than you ever dreamed of.

Can things be simpler than this genuine, brief answer?

With hope and peace,

Nahla