Tag: life

daily prompt

A third option

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Are you a leader or a follower?

Some people are born to be leaders. Some gain this role as a gift, a blessing, but others fight for it, trying to grasp it by all means, legal or illegal – lawful or unlawful. The first category has people’s love and respect, but the other has people’s fear and desdain.

On the other side, some people play the followers. I can’t say they are born to be followers because we are humans not robots. There are some who believe whatever others say, do whatever others command. How could they do the opposite if they believe they are in no position to think otherwise? They think they are nobody, and nothing is worth sacrificing the comfort of everyday mediocrity.

Thinking of both, I think there should be a third option. Some people  seek neither blind submission nor supreme leadership. Here’s why.

First, it is a huge responsibility, a heavy burden, an awful nightmare to lead others, to take the responsibility for their lives. It’s also so dazzling, so tempting that once you take the step, you’d get trapped into its role’s circle web. Isn’t it enough to be asked one day about your own deeds? A leader would also be asked about those who trust and follow them.

Second, it’s a shame to live your life  just following others, imitating them, ignoring whatever is happening around you, accepting whatever you hear, and trust whoever you meet. That’s a follower,  in my view. Perhaps, at some point, in our life, we have lived this bland, blunt life, but it’s also expected to get out of this phase once and forever.

Everyone has their own touch in life, their own dreams, and their own abilities. Do I have to follow the same recipe to get the same perfect result? ? No. Never. I’ll make some changes. I will add things and omit others. In the end, I am the one making it and the product is mine. But, thanks for the inspiration.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Who would it be?

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There are many who have crossed my mind when I saw this prompt on Instagram. Family, friends, and even some acquaintances. But then, we would be sharing things we already know. Memories, everyday routines, problems, good or bad news, etc.  And in a blink of an eye, the one hour would be gone. We’d thank God if the chat was brief and we felt happy. But we’d hate every moment of the hour if things turned otherwise. That’s why I changed my mind about the list I first picked as I had a second thought.

A stranger. I finally decided it would be a stranger. But, isn’t that happening more often? You sit at one further end of a bench, and then, someone takes the other end. Perhaps they would ask if that was okay. You would nod with a smile and that’s it. But, I don’t actually talk about that stranger.

A stranger, in this context, is the person you’ve already met before- a person you know but have never talked to. Perhaps, one of the neighbours, a teacher at your college or your children’s school, or even the librarian.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have a light chat, to hear a different story, learn something new, and, perhaps, make a new friend.

What about you? Try and write about yours?

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Safe and secure

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What does freedom mean to you?

I’m free to do such and such. I heard this sentence quite a lot. But, is freedom mainly about that? Is it to do what you want or to not do what you don’t want? Independence. Perhaps it is, but surely there are other interpretations, other significances.

What about the feelings of security and safety? Aren’t these concepts considered part and parcel of freedom. Aren’t they, in some way, imply it fully?

Imagine you’re on an aeroplane going on holiday. You’re in your business class cabin. A pretty hostess, with a warm smile, serves you the best food, the best drinks. You feel free, pleased with your plan, your decision, and your money. Half way through the flight, awful turbulence starts rocking the miraculous invention- your plane. Every bone and muscle tremble in your frightened body. Your chest tightenes, your breath catches. You pray for nothing but safety. You need nothing but security. Now, you think your freedom means nothing without both of them! Safety and security.

Safe and secure. That’s why children feel free with their parents around. Why a couple feels free when they vow to share their lives together. And above all, that’s why believers feel free when praying and talking to the Creator.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Complete the sentence

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Not all women dream of  having a wardrobe full of clothes and makeup, some dream of having  ………..

Books.

Both to read and to write.

By the way, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming of a wardrobe full of clothes and makeup. But, wouldn’t a wardrobe full of different books add another type of beauty?

It has been said that knowledge is food for the soul. Books provide a good share of knowledge. And, if souls are eternal, then why not dream of a wardrobe full of different books too?

Try and fill the missing word with your own dream.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

One lost item 

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First, I imagine this box will be full of some old toys, old favourite clothes, audio tapes, photos, books, colouring books, cards, and candies and sweets. Perhaps there’ll be more items, but I won’t care as much about them, I would only and mainly have rummaged through that box to find one particular thing.

It’s my first notebook. My childhood pieces of writing. My first writings, my innocent thoughts, and my childish handwriting. I can imagine how precious memories will rush into my head. Memories of my parents’ old  house, my father’s voice, my mother’s cooking, my old siblings noseness, my schools, and my old neighbourhood.

Would any other make me feel the same? Perhaps, but not as strong as those first writings, especially after discovering that writing has always been there deep inside me.

By the way, I found this prompt on Instagram. Try to think about it and write something about yours.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Life

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What gives you direction in life?

Every experience I live and each lesson I learn out of it, guides me toward a new direction in life.

We learn not only from our mistakes but also from those of others and that opens before us a new direction to follow in life. Our stories, whether short or long, with the people we know, e.g friends, colleagues, or even our family, also play a role in guiding us toward a direction that would add or change something in our life.

The Almighty doesn’t only give us life but He also puts on our path certain people, some unexpected changes, some blessings, some trials, or even some ideas or books that would make us live a different experience and follow a new direction.

Life, with its ups and downs, will draw before us too many directions, and we have our own reasons to decide whether to follow any.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

What is meant to be

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Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?

What is meant to be, will always find its way to you.

Honestly, I am not sure whether this is a quote, but I always keep it in mind.

I believe that what is written for me, will be for me and what isn’t written for me will never be for me. That’s part of my faith.  But, sometimes, I find it hard to accept things this way. Sometimes, I find patience so cruel and useless. But then, I start count my blessings, and pray for God’s compensation.

In Arabic it is common to hear people say that one can never take the Rizq (substances) that God has bestowed upon another. Yours are coming on time.

Indeed, your blessings will find you just in time.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Light and general

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What topics do you like to discuss?

What’s better and more peaceful than light and general topics? The weather, the shopping, some receipes, children issues, etc. And, it would be even better to avoid topics like sport, social media, and politics.

At least, one’s brain won’t hurt after talking about such things. Or, you won’t expect to start a fight or punch someone if, God forbid, a disagreement arises and fuels the anger of the opponents . At least, things will end well and we’ll still be smiling at each other.

Nowadays, everyone, with sufficient knowledge or not, believes they are right. They feel they have the full right to argue, criticise, and object. Hence, sometimes it becomes, almost impossible, to enjoy a beneficial discussion about a good topic.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Regret

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Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?

Do we regret the actions we couldn’t take or the ones we had taken? If you ask me, I will say we mostly regret the ones we did take.

A friend once told me that she regretted not having swimming lessons at a young age. Adding to its health benefits, she believed it is a lifetime skill. I totally agree, but I think things would have been no different if we wound time back. Simply, because swimming was neither a hobby nor a priority for the two of us.

Another said that her husband spent his life suing others at court until the day he died. Would his life be different if he had reconsidered his actions against his opponents? Would he have enjoyed some peace of mind, some happiness with his wife and his only son? Would he have wished to listen to the wise saying, ‘forgive your enemies, but remember their names?’ What do you think?

Words once spoken can never be taken back, and actions once taken can’t be erased from our life record. The harm, pain, and sufferings all caused by the wrong actions we did and the foolish words we uttered. Hence, don’t regret the opportunities you’ve missed but regret the worthless actions you have already committed.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

Baking

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Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.

The first thing I thought of when I opened my blog today was baking. Perhaps, because of the delicious aroma that’s wafting in my house today. Yes, today, I am baking some pastries for my family. I’m not professional, but, the aroma alone is enough to make your mouth-water.

‘Happiness is homemade.’ Whoever said that was so wise. What can be better than baking and cooking experiments at home? A good meal and a bad one. Fail twice and succeed thrice. Baking fills our homes with fun, warmth, and long-lasting memories.

I believe that even when we follow the same recipes, our dish will taste different. Because, what we cook or bake is not just about the ingredients. You, the cook, the baker, add your feelings, your efforts, and even your own taste buds into the recipe, and that makes the final product taste different and special.

Happiness is absolutely homemade,

With all the best wishes,

Nahla