Tag: science

Just writing

Don’t Follow This Reading Strategy

nhpureandsimple

I’m currently reading one of Henry James’ books. As usual, I knew about the book while reading something else. I read its description on Goodreads and decided to give it a go. The story is simple, and the characters are few and not complex.

Things seem good so far, right?

No, it isn’t.

I started reading the book last month, and I’m not even halfway through. Perhaps I picked it up at the wrong time. I mean, it’s the summer holiday, with so much going on. But no, that’s not why it’s taking me so long to finish.

The prose is my main problem. I can’t enjoy reading it. Whenever I reach an interesting part, the author starts analysing and exploring another point. Still, I keep reading, hoping the book might surprise me… or I’ll finally give myself permission to stop.

So far, nothing has happened, and that’s why I advise you not to follow my reading strategy because it’s just stubborn.

I usually read at night but this book makes me yawn, and my eyes grow tired  before bedtime. I decided to speed up the process by reading during the day, but my patience wore thin. There’s always other chores to do, and reading this book will be the hardest. I tried the audiobook, but my mind kept wandering to many things except the book. And then, I thought: maybe it would be better to make some change. So I picked up another book, hoping to return to the first one with fresh eyes and some interest.

As I was searching for another non-fiction book, I came across a medical one titled Love Your Disease. Have you read it? It’s a bit like “love your enemy,” but is that even possible?

By the way, it is not totally medical with scientific terms and theories. It’s quite readable, with real-life experiences shared by a doctor about his patients. But since it’s not fictional, and I am not a physician, I feel I can neither accept nor discuss the book. In short, after skipping so many parts, I decided to stop reading it.

So, I’m back to James Herny. No, it’s Henry James. And, I’m just as determined to finish the book as I am to never read another by the this author.


With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

Wisdom of the Babes

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Don’t they say: “Profound wisdom comes out of babes.” And I think some add “from the invalid too.” I’m sure you heard this quote one day—perhaps also experienced it. So, I’m not going to explain it … actually, I didn’t think about explaining it. I just thought of something different, but not different.

Am I a bit confusing? I think I am, but just keep on reading. Please.

Have you ever thought that wisdom doesn’t imply knowledge? They might meet each other at some point along the life journey, but this doesn’t mean they have to be companions.

A simple person might be as wise as a scholar is scientific. Their paths might cross, but that doesn’t mean they have to be good friends.

Knowledge is all about learning, studying, and creating  abstract and complicated words and concepts in various subjects, right? But wisdom is purely innate, flowing from the heart with simple words and deep significance.

A scientist, for example, based on his astronomical studies, mathematical equations and scientific formulas may say: the Earth’s lifespan is almost over, and we need to build more spaceships and start planning to build a new world on a different planet.

Watching the scientist on the news, a simple man with basic qualifications, innate goodness and genuine faith smiles and replies: Aren’t they all the same creation? When our world is done, there will be no life elsewhere.

Transparency and wisdom are close friends—part and parcel of one another. Do you know why? Because transparency loves light, openness and honesty—the same qualities that define a wise person. No wonder both have become so rare that, nowadays, when we hear the tales of the wise man, we only think of our ancient ancestors— from the very, very, distant past.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

Water — Literary and Literally

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What Is Water? 

There are two ways to answer this question — literarily or literally. Which one do you prefer?

Of course, in a science class, I would have no other choice but to define water using its H2O formula. I’d have to think of it, literally: as molecules, atoms, and a chemical substance existing in three different states — liquid, gas, and solid. Such great, interesting, and very important facts, indeed. But, do we need to study water to know it ?

That’s why, with all due respect to science, in most cases, my brain leans toward thinking literarily, and in most cases, I let it take the full reign.

So, to literarily answer the question, I’d say: water is the soul of life. It’s the source of life. It’s pure, clear, and holy. It’s sweet, salty, and unique. It’s up there in the sky, lies deep underground, and flows between the mountains.

Nothing quenches your thirst like water. Nothing cleanses your body like water. And, nothing purifies your heart like genuine tears, which, too, are water.

Water gives and takes, destroys and builds, heals and wounds.

It’s so powerful, yet so gentle.

It’s part of our creation, every creature’s creation.

Isn’t it miraculous? Far more wondrous than the Seven Wonders of the World?

Ironically, a Bedouin in the desert, a farmer in the village, and even an animal in the woods appreciate this divine blessing more than students in a science class.

And here’s a beautiful quote by Rumi that says: “Perform your ablution with love, for a prayer with a spiteful heart is not permissible.” (My translation). A spiteful heart is the only thing water cannot cleanse, because it is unreachable, untouchable. It’s only when that spiteful heart discovers love that water can reach and cleanse it, fully preparing it for the sacred prayer.


With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

Astrophysics

nhpureandsimple

If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?


Isn’t it incenrdible that space scientists or astrophysicists are working hard, really hard to create life and build new world on other planets? Or is it Not?

If I had the opportunity to have the power to issue one new law, I wouldn’t let it pass without submitting my proposal on this issue.

But first, since it’s all imaginative, I’d like to also have the opportunity to imagine a different me, in a different setting. I am Her Majesty the Queen, or His Excellency Mrs President.
I’m sitting at my famous desk, with the formal legal document of my new law in front of me. Journalists, interviewers, small and big cameras, assistants, ministers, mayors, and others whom I don’t know and wouldn’t wish to know, are just a few meters away. They are surounded by bodyguards or supe – powerful gurads, or whatever. I’m actually trying hard to stifle a laugh, wondering what the point of all this gathering. My law is going to be signed whether they like it or not.

Before reading my law out loud, the flashing and clicking of cameras makes me blink and feel ill at ease. No one is allowed to talk or even whisper before I reveal the new law. I choke and cough, and my voice sounds muffled in my ears. Am I catching a cold? I wonder, and find a crystal glass of water in my hand as if by magic. I sip some water and it tastes so cold and sweet that I am tempted to drain it in one gulp. But, I can’t. Her Highness would never do that. What do I have to do with Her Majesty? Oh, that’s me. I have to sign my new law. The gathering and people both online and offline, are waiting to hear it.


I look down at the document and read: Astronomers and astrophysicists can go to whatever plantes, to the moon, and even to the sun on their own cost, using their own expenses. As for us, normal people we’re amazed with our own planet, and we’ll never give it up.

Signed.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla