Tag: simplelife

Daily thoughts

The Beauty and The Heart

nhpureandsimple

People say that what’s hidden in the heart shows on the face.

And others say that real beauty comes from a pure, beautiful heart.

So… the essence of the whole issue is simple: beauty begins in the heart.

What’s hidden there, what lies deep inside your heart, becomes your reflection in the mirror.

People paint their faces, then look into the mirror and wow at themselves.

But what they see isn’t real, it’s only a painted picture.

They know the truth, yet they still pretend that what’s fake can become true.

They play the same trick with their hearts.

Some paint themselves as kind, trustworthy, pious, and perhaps even angelic.

But the heart fails them, because it can’t be painted.

And what shows on painted, glowing faces can never hide what lies in the heart.

The heart is the honest mirror, just like the one in the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

It doesn’t lie.

You hit it.

You squeeze it.

You smash it.

Yet it still shows who you really are.

Have you ever wondered why beauty becomes so artificial?

Perhaps, because some hearts become so hard.

Rocks have no feelings, no sense of beauty.

Once the heart is obsessed with selfishness, its beauty fades.

And once its beauty fades, the face darkens and seeks some urgent artificial paint.

And then, artificial beauty glows without any real beauty, 

and the hardened hearts live without any sense of life. 

Would the Beast have ever turned back into a noble prince without the pure heart of the Beauty?

With pure-hearted thoughts,

Nahla

Just writing

Welcome August 2026

nhpureandsimple

Today, I can welcome August with a big smile.

First, because I finally finished The Sea Keeper’s Daughters, and it turned out to be a unique story.

Second, because I have a plan, and a promise, to read a list of more books this month.

It’s a bit embarrassing to gather the harvest of only one book at the end of the month. 

But of course, July understands my situation: the holiday, the jet lag, the cold, and the house chores that never end.

And August looks, so far, supportive and considerate. 

Third, because the weather is nice so far.

It’s been rainy, a bit windy over the last few days, but that’s better. Actually, that’s a blessing, after the heat wave that lasted until the end of July.

Fourth, because I finally made my coconut frozen-yogurt ice cream with four simple ingredients: coconut milk, yogurt, shredded coconut, and honey. And, it turns out like something from another world. 

There are more reasons to welcome August, but that’s enough for now.

With welcome-August thought,

Nahla

daily prompt

What Is “Trend”?

nhpureandsimple

If you could erase one trend from history, what would it be?

You know, if I were ever in charge of this thing called “trend,” I would erase all them, including the word itself.

Really, things aren’t “every now and then” anymore. They are every second, everywhere.

It feels as if people are using copy and paste technique without pausing to think, to question, or even to say no.

And for God’s sake, what is a trend?

It is mostly about someone known as an influencer or a celebrity, whatever label with millions watching, who wears something, buys something, says something, listens to something, eats something, or whatever they offer. And people swallow everything without testing, tasting, or even digesting, then recommend that madness to others. And others follow, running breathless after this and that and those. But then, time slips by unnoticed, unappreciated, and unvalued.

Wouldn’t it be calmer if there were a law to slow down these overflowing trends, perhaps by limiting what can be shared or saved?

If that happened, trends would be fewer, the copycats fewer, and our brains might finally relax, breathe again, and perhaps work more efficiently.

Have I been cruel?

I just think this is too much.

With no-trend- support thoughts,

Nahla

daily prompt, personal thoughts

Happiness: Different Standards

nhpureandsimple

What’s a common misconception people have about happiness?

Today, happiness has different standards.

Have you heard this common comment lately?

Honestly, I don’t know what to say, or whether it’s said out of blindness, selfishness, or what else.

But… look around these days and you will see how happiness has become so sensual, so material, so selfish, and so fake. 

It turns into a big, fancy castle built from lies and pretences; a place some people spend their whole lives building. They live inside it, seeking protection, until it collapses over their heads. And then, they spend the rest of their lives buried under misery, regret, and loss.

Unfortunately, in most cases, social media plays the main role in shaping this messy version of happiness. It makes things worse by planting fake seeds of fake happiness. It keeps pushing those crème “elites” to the front, above everything and everyone else. Those with shiny smiles, dazzling fame, great power, and unlimited cash have been presented as the idols of absolute happiness.

And you gape, you make a wish, and you follow suit.

The blind leading the blind, heading nowhere.

The selfish ego swells and swells until it bursts.

And one day, you wake up; your head heavy and buzzing. You hold your head in your hands, wanting nothing but comfort and relief. Then suddenly, you glace at a short note nearby. Your blurry eyes clear as you begin to read:

‘You’ve never been happy, yet you can be. Happiness is neither loud nor glamorous. And, it never comes different standards.’ The note was signed: true happiness.

So… will you agree when others say today’s happiness has different standards?

As for me, I still believe that… happiness can be as simple as a bird’s nest, as pure as snowflakes, and as genuine as a mother’s prayer.

With happy thoughts,

 Nahla