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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.
Nowadays, and perhaps even years ago, it’s become hard, no, rare, to find someone who offers you something without expecting something in return. Believe me, that happens even with the simplest things.
One day, one of my husband’s friends invited us for dinner. We had a good time and enjoyed the nice food. The next day, I met one of my friends and we babbled about a few things, including the nice dinner my family and I had enjoyed the day before. Although I had already noticed the change and tense in my friend’s face once she stepped into my house, her face reddened and her eyes bulged behind her glasses after she heard about the dinner invitation.
Perhaps, she was wishing to be invited as well so we all could have a good time. But, perhaps the man couldn’t because, as a matter of fact, his flat was so small that he could only accomodate one family at a time. And, perhaps he did that on purpose. I was pondering the possibilities when all of a sudden she said, ‘he should have returned what he owed us first.’ So, that was it; I invite you, so you have to invite me and before anyone else.
Kindness and good deeds have become a debt that,unfortunately, are not given by a benevolent but by an ursher who wants to use you by all means. But, pure goodness and kindness exist and will always be there even if their proponents are becoming fewer and fewer.
One day, my family and I went on holiday. The hotel we booked was way too far from where we were exploring the city. The only taxi we could reach would be available within forty five minutes. ‘Why not walking instead of waiting,’ we decided and headed up a steep hill dragging our shopping bags. The road narrowed and we had to walk in a line. Then, all of a sudden, a lady called after us from the opposite side of the road. We stopped and turned to look at her. She was the only person on the road, and there was nothing but the cars racing along the road.
There, she cried out asking whether we need a lift. We looked at each other and felt we were saved as it started raining. A godsent, I whispered as we crossed the road to join her. Although her car was a small one that wouldn’t fit all of us, she offered to take us in turns. That would be too burdensome for her, we believed and asked her for a taxi number instead. I thanked her from the bottom of my heart, and I couldn’t help but embrace her.
We don’t encounter such pure and unexpected kindness every day, do we?
