Tag: Just writing

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 best  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 like 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 himself 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, 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

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

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