Tag: Wisdom

Philosophical musings

“How cruel is man’s ignorance!”

nhpureandsimple

Isn’t this quote so true? ​

You know… ignorance isn’t just the lack of study, learning, or certificates.

No, ignorance is the lack of understanding, of seeing and feeling what is true and real.

By the way, don’t you agree that education is not the opposite of ignorance? In other words, a farmer with basic education may have more knowledge than a qualified teacher. The farmer’s knowledge is usually enriched by wisdom, while the teacher’s is measured by certificates. 

So… can we agree that the opposite of ignorance is understanding?

Education, power, wealth, and fame do not necessarily produce knowledgeable people. Ironically, these supposed sources of knowledge feed and entertain ignorance more than they cultivate true knowledge. 

And this type of ignorance is available in abundance, but it is deaf and blind.  

It spreads lies, hides the truth, and fights against cultivating knowledge.

That’s why ignorance is cruel, so cruel indeed.

But there is some good news. Over the years, ignorance has always surrendered to knowledge. Not only that, this cruel ignorance has lived by the light of knowledge, yet it never recognised its validity until it was too late. 

All we need to avoid falling into the trap of ignorance is to understand, and to see and feel things not only with our minds, but also with our hearts.

And…

Remember, knowledge is understanding, and understanding is the first step towards wisdom, and wisdom is light, and there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

Flowers Again: Which One to Water?

nhpureandsimple

Here are two flowers.

One fake, and real

Which one to Water?

Really… what a question.

Why?

Because:

Fake flowers don’t know water,

don’t feel water,

don’t need water,

don’t love water.

Give them water.

And then, what?

Nothing changes.

They are still cold,

still dull,

still fake.

With no response,

no life.

But…

Real flowers know water,

feel water,

scream for water,

survive by water,

and love water.

They are warm,

they are soft,

they are beautiful.

They grow,

they bloom,

they lean—

they are full of life.

So … the question is out of the question.

It is unfair.

Whatever is fake can never be authentic, a whatever is authentic will never be fake—never a passing fancy! 

Can this paradox exist in writing?

Yes, even in writing.

They say:

If you’re stuck while writing, then you don’t like what you’re writing. 

Truth.

Force it, and your piece will be cold and dull—just like a fake flower.

And… they also say:

You may write for money, but don’t write just for money.

This makes great sense.

In the first case, your writing still pulses with life. 

You can stare at a rose on a tree, 

describe its rich, natural colours, 

breathe in its beautiful scent, 

watch a butterfly dancing around, 

and then,

 you write an authentic piece,

a real flower,

even if it was for money.

But, in the second case—

when writing is just for money, 

you seek only money in life. 

Then,

a fake flower will do,

a fake voice will do,

fake emotions will do. 

And, a bit later,

the harvest is just … a fake flower,

with no natural beauty, 

no life. 

Have you ever thought of what truly matters to a writer, an emerging writer like me? 

It’s not money,

It’s when talented writers read your piece, like it, and choose to follow you. 

Isn’t that more worthy than money? 

With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

And Then Everything Happens!

nhpureandsimple

Have you ever heard this quote: “Nothing happens, and nothing happens, and then everything happens.”  I came across it in one of my reading books, and I hope I’m quoting it right.

Don’t you like it? 

How many times have you been on the verge of giving up? Of letting despair and misery eat you up? Of bowing and kneeling before tyrants and demons? And why all that? Just because nothing happens. And nothing happens. 

But then, Hope arrives and knocks on your locked door. He doesn’t wait for you to open it for he knows you have been waiting, suffering, and tormented for so long. He seeps into your dark, wretched soul like a gentle, warm breeze filling a dark, damaged home in a freezing night. That’s when everything happens: Prayers are answered, dreams come true, wishes granted, problems solved, and victory attained. 

Isn’t that so beautiful, so encouraging—lifting the spirits of poor souls, awakening their self-respect, and strengthening their love for life?

There is a similar meaning in an Arabic poetry verse I once read.  It says: “Things grew tight, and tighter, and tighter until they reached their tightest peak. Then, they began to loosen, and relief came.“ (This is my own translation.)

Are you are still reading?

If you are, may I ask you to think of the english quote, or the Arabic verse, in a different way? 

Did anything come to your mind? 

Let me give you an example to help. 

Imagine, just imagine, you’ve been… God Forbid, a thief or a murderer or even a scammer your whole life. And nothing happens. And nothing happens. And, one day, you hear knockings at your door.

Hope is not the visitor this time. It’s Justice crowned with her royal, majestic halo. She’s the one who’s been waiting for so long. Finally, it’s time to make you pay. And then, things happen. But, instead of the gentle, warm breeze, it’s tsunami rushing to wipe you out, and reclaim everything that was never yours. 

The interpretation is the same in the Arabic verse, with a slight difference. This time, it’s the culprit who tightens things with every deed, inhumane ones, of course, chasing success, power, and protection. He climbed to the tightest peak of pride, power, and false security. Then things happen. Tight things burst, don’t they? But relief doesn’t come. Only torn pieces remain this time, bringing nothing but suffering, humiliation, and regret. 

With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

This Is Not Real Kung Fu

nhpureandsimple


Isn’t The Karate Kid one of the most beautiful family movies?

I always remember Mr. Han’s powerful comment when he and Dre visited the most powerful Kung Fu youth academy in his town. After a few minutes, Mr. Han walked out and told Dre: “This is not real Kung Fu.”

If you’ve watched the movie, do you remember why Mr. Han was shocked and taken aback before giving that famous line?

Because real Kung Fu is mainly about self- defence with proper knowledge, clear rules, and, above all, a wise teacher. It can never be about bullying or humiliation.

And even if true Kung Fu loses a fight, it still earns a significant victory. Its defeat comes with clean hands, honourable values, and respected rules.

That’s why, as the movie shows, Kung Fu can be in everything we do, anything that nourishes peace and harmony, and helps prevent chaos and fights.

Isn’t the world today, unfortunately, witnessing the worst kind of Kung Fu— one that lacks knowledge, conscience, and respect to any rules? Ironically, it keeps proving to the world that this is not real Kung Fu.

Thank you, Mr Han, for teaching Dre, and us too, what real Kung Fu means, and for reminding us to pick it up and never say never.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

What is the Art of Waiting?

nhpureandsimple


It’s the highly esteemed virtue—

the companion of wisdom,

the friend of perseverance,

the key to peace,

the first rule of trust,

the fuel for success,

the road to love,

and the gate to happiness.



Am I missing something?

Oh yes—

it’s the prayer we repeat,
believing it’s been heard
and will be answered
at its perfect time.

Now, do you know what the art of waiting is?

It’s patience.
And it is really hard to master this highest form of art.

But, sometimes, people test your patience until you can’t hold the horses anymore. You won’t just let the horses go wild, but you might burn the bridges or, like Samson, destroy the temple.

Perhaps that’s why patience can’t thrive without faith.

Aren’t the patient the most blessed?



With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

That’s hurt

nhpureandsimple


It’s so painful.


Have you ever asked yourself these whys?



Why did I make that decision?

Why with a smile and a nod I say, Yes, I want to?

Why do I head there straightaway, on time, to keep my word?



Now it hurts, no… it’s so painful, more painful than the ache I felt before making that decision.



“You’re doing well,” they encouraged

“Well done,” they praised.

“All done,” they congratulated.



And there it is—your wisdom tooth, resting on the dentist’s super hygienic tray, glaring and laughing at you: “Farewell my friend, but don’t blame me for the extra, obnoxious pain you’ll be getting today.”



It’s not wise to extract your wisdom tooth, is it?

After all, wisdom doesn’t only cost a fortune, but it also has deep, stubborn roots that are too painful to yield.



With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

Wisdom of the Babes

nhpureandsimple


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

daily prompt

A proverb

nhpureandsimple

What is the last thing you learned?

No one is a prophet is his own land!

It is not that I don’t know the meaning of it but when my eyes fell on this proverb in one of the books, it was the beauty of the wording and the accuracy of its meaning hat I’ve recently come to learn.

By the way there this proverb has an equalivat in Arabic. It says; The light falls only on the strangers.

In both versions, the meaning is the same.

Haven’t you ever felt that you are more appreciated and honored elsewhere than in your commonplace?

I did.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

People

nhpureandsimple

What experiences in life helped you grow the most?

What’s better than meeting with different people!

Living in a different country, meeting with people of different culutres, people with different tongues, is such wonderful, though hard, experience that I believed I’ve been blessed to live.  This experience has been teaching me valuable lessons everyday.

I’m still the same me, however in a much wiser, much knowedgable, much careful version. And there’s one more important thing; when you’re living in a froiegn country, you’re granted a silver opportunity for choosing who you want to be. Either to cut your roots, discard them, borrow different seeds, and plant a complete different crop. Or, keep your old roots, plant then in the new soil, feed and water them every now and then. Believe me, you’ll be suprised how your old roots make a unique plant of you.

With all best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

The Tortoise and the Hare

nhpureandsimple

Yesterday I asked my daughter:

If there is a second part to the tortoise and the hare story in which they will decide to go for another competition, who do you think will win?

While she was thinking, i said in my head the Hare. Surely he would have learned the lesson. He would never think to have a nap under the same tree. No way.

The tortoise, my daughter said and i looked at her surprised.

How? I asked believing the hare would never repeat the same mistake.

The Hare will copy the tortoise and crawl all the way next to her.

Why? I asked still surprised

Because she had won the first race and he thought if he followed her pace, he would too

Any why do you think it did not work with him?

Because his legs hurt. He got different legs to those of the tortoise. So he became very very tired and had some rest under the tree and fell asleep again.

Oh poor hare! Surely he was very disappointed, i said

No, he was not, my daughter said

Why? I asked.

Because he wasn’t himself in the race this time, my daughter said

Don’t understand, i said

He was pretending to be the tortoise but this can’t be. He should be himself, the hare, to win, my daughter said.

Good point! I smiled

Children will always give us wonderful lessons.

Wishing you all the best,

Nahla