There are many risks I’ve taken that I don’t regret, and I’m sure I’ve written about them in my posts. Some might be easy to notice, while others might just need a bit more focus to find. But today, what’s popped into my mind is something different. It’s related to my WordPress blog–something that I know would affect my blog. Still I took the risk, and have never regretted it.
Can you guess what it is? Have you noticed it?
When I first started my blog, I was (and still am) determined not to connect it with my other social media accounts. I was just thinking of my blog as something special–a quiet, small conder away from the choes of my other accounts. I knew back then this choice wouldn’t bring me more audience, visitors, followers, or likes to my blog. I knew that all. Still I took the risk, and I don’t regret it, because I am still writing. And, in that quiet, small corner I call Pure and Simple I appreciate you all–my special readers.
Sometimes, a person is so careful, so clever, so well prepared – in short, a brilliant actor. And yet, as the old Arabic saying goes: A slip of the tongue can expose lies, hidden intentions, and the true face behind the mask.
Surprisingly, on the other hand, honesty and a keen eye is all you need to observe the irony and smile.
The idea for this blog was inspired by a quote I read on Instagram. It brought back an old memory that made me smile. Before sharing it with you, I’d like to give a brief summary about my acquaintance with social media (feel free to skip this part if you’re in a hurry)
It wasn’t until 2015 or 2016 that I opened a Facebook account, and downloaded other social media apps like WhatsApp. It wasn’t that I hadn’t heard about them, of course I had, but I am a full time mother with prioroties and daily plans. I was happy with using Skype, Yahoo, or Hotmail messengers for social commuications. Back then, things were simpler, and more convenient. But, sometimes, you can’t say “no” to change, especially when your children are getting involved. Since then, I’ve found myself in group chats; one for the mummies, one for close friends, one for other friends who are not close, one for community activities, and so on. Oh, these groups were funny, troublesome, and really a waste of time.
One day, a friend on one of the groups asked me a question about Quran recitation, as I was the only member with a qualified certificate. I answered her question, and she asked another. The questions and answers continued for a while. After many messages back and forth, she said: “Don’t think I’m examining your knowledge.”
“Why would I? You asked and I explained,” I replied. Honestly, that was how I felt, but at that monent, I realised it really was like she was examining me. If only she had known that, out of respect for the age gap between us, I didn’t want to excuse myself and tend to my other chores.
She disappeared without a reply, no thanks, nothing. In fact, she wasn’t friendly with me, and if it hadn’t been for the group, I believe our paths would have never crossed.
Can you see how people can tell on themselves?
They say professional liars have bad memories. That must be why they end up exposing themselves.
This extract is from a parable in the Arabic Folklore. It tells a brief encounter between an old, cunning man, and a clever girl.
As the girl was walking along the road, carrying a covered plate in her hands, an old man stopped her.
“What’s in the plate, young girl?’ He asked.
‘And, why do think we covered it?’ She replied.
The man’s face reddened with shame, and he felt as if the girl had just slapped him.
Do you know why he felt so? Can you guess the meaning of this brief encounter?
Of course, both the old, cunning man and the clever girl are not talking about food? Or do you think they are?
It’s okay if you think they are, but then, there wouldn’t be a moral meaning, which means there’s a moral meaning.
Can you guess it now?
Haven’t you ever met or heard about some people who wouldn’t rest until they dig deep into others’ lives? They try their best to uncover what has been covered, perhaps even changed and forgiven. Their main goal is to pry and satisfy their curiosity and sense of gloating, to hurt and debunk others.
Worse still, have you met those who expose themselves and call it complete honesty and ultimate bravery? Their private and confidential life becomes a free open store for anyone to explore, share, and spread all over the world. Sometimes, I really can’t understand if you’ve been granted the chance by God’s grace to have your mistakes, secrets, or even misfortunes, covered and hidden from others, why expose them?
Now, back to the old parable, and the old, cunning man. He wasn’t after the food; he was after the news that was none of his business, nor anyone’s else business. That’ why he was full of shame. It turned out that the girl had given him the lesson of his life.
Do you think this old parable would have any significance, any echo in the world of social media today?
Would this clever girl exist once more?
Would the old, cunning man be ashamed again?
What do you think? Do you have another interpretation of the parable?
With all the best wishes,
Nahla
P.S. For all of you who are having snow in their places, have fun! It’s so windy and rainy here as my photo shows, but surprisingly it’s warm!
That was an old children programme on an Arabic channel years ago. I don’t know why it crossed my mind as I was thinking about writing something. I guess that’s, maybe, because these days, some children are not only becoming extremely famous, but also extremely manipulated.
In the old Children’s Parliament programme, children were given the opportunity to discuss topics related to their lives, innocent childhood problems and needs; school issues, health issues, family issues, and hobbies. But, I think those days are gone forever.
Nowadays, it seems that many children have different interests and duties. Thanks to social media and other technologies, and the world’s madness, they not only have their own media accounts and online business straightaway after they entered this world, but they are also granted unreasonable privileges.
Nowadays, you can watch children in midnight festivals and ceremonies. They are accompanied by their powerful, influencial parents to share their special “success” in a completely non -child -friendly environment. They might come on stage, be interviewed, or play at the His Highness’ office. And, their parents smile and laugh to the camera to draw a perfect parental image, and role model to the whole world.
If you have a previous gift, your most valuable in the entire universe, would you expose it to everyone even if you’re surrounded by all possible sorts of protections? Would you make it part of a cheap drama? Would you use it as a blackout, a shield, or a mask to manipulate others, and protect yourself?
And that’s not enough, you hear those once -in -a lifetime parents say; “oh those poor children in that faraway neighbourhood, their parents don’t care about their safety and welfare. Those other children need to be displaced and relocated in a different, robotic environment, to be safe and perfect just like ours.” But, aren’t theirs nothing but victims of this self-centred life?
It’s said that some people, no matter how genius they could be, sometimes God lets stupidity be their sole guide. But, children can be clever enough to survive their parents unwise plans.
I wonder if one day Children will not only have a real Parliament, but will also be allowed to rule the world?
Isn’t everything possible these days? Who knows what the future holds?
Years ago, if you asked someone who their biggest influencer was, I can imagine that person would first pause, think, perhaps close their eyes and take a moment to breathe deeply, before giving you their answers. When they started talking, their words will be full of awe, respect, and pure love. They might talk about their parents, teachers, or perhaps a favourite historical figure or special author. In some cases, they would talk about their true friends. I believe that for the pre- social media generation quality mattered more than quantity. Genuine relationships more than pretenses. Am I right?
But as things have change in a way that seemed both ridiculous and vague, I believe, nowadays, today’s selection of influencers depends mainly on quantity. It’s like copy and paste, repetition, drama, and, even worse, the madness of fame. Nowadays, many influencers share nonsense, believe in nothing and everything, and make fortunes of easy money. How many influencers are there nowadays? Countless, thanks to social media platforms. How do they affect you, as a unique individual? Unfortunately, they often reduce you to nothing more than a number, a fan!
Would you search your head ( not your phone), for a role model with no camera in hand, no fancy brand fashion, no cosmetic surgeries, no sophisticated food receipes, no international festivals, no cocoland dreams, etc? Please do!
Congratulations, if you find any!
Have you read my blog Idolization? Please do if you haven’t yet.
Just look at how people follow a special player, or jump on stage to hug that famous singer, or run after a remarkable actor to take a selfie. And look at those who bow, kneel, and even kiss the ground that this leader or that walks on. This idolization has been the same throughout the ages, it’s obviously disgusting these days because of the social media madness.
Have you ever thought how those idols throughout the ages take but, never give? They don’t know you, won’t care about you. Whether in the form af a celebrity, a leader, or a political party, they want you, as a number, as a voice. They stand high and long, here and there, just like statues. Their strength and durability depend on the expertise of their craftsmenship. But, they never live becuase statues are soulless, vague, and empty. And, one day, they would be dumped, forgotten, and replaced by other statues.
I remember one day while watching a documentary about a famous Egyptian singer from the seventies, there were women throwing themselves out of the top windows of high buildings. Were they really happy following him into the grave? I wondered, thinking how those people will one day answer to God for commiting suicide. This is completely blind idolization, which I believe is so destructive, so humiliated, so pathetic.
On another occasion, when I first came to live in the UK, I met different people. My first friend and neighbour was following the Shia Mathhab. By the way, we didn’t introduce ourselves as Shia and Sunni. These differences just seemed to be obvious. Well, as my friend and I used to visit each other quite a lot, I noticed that there are certain things that she was celebrating and practising which I wasn’t. I asked her about that and she simply replied, ‘I swear I don’t care about this Imama or that, I just do what my mother does.’ We burst out laughing. How simple and funny our life would be, if we don’t idolize our differences!
Children, of course, might idolize their parents, or students idolise their noble mentors but that’s out of pure love and ultimate reverence, because they deserve it. These people in our lives are the ones who really care and love us.They can not be replaced, can not purchased.
By the way I have just finished The Stationary Shop Of Tehran. It’s a good book, I enjoyed it, enjoyed more reading about Persian Culture and traditions which are a bit different from my Arabic ones. Herewith is my book review, hope you will like it.
Pure and Simple 