Tag: writing

Just writing, personal thoughts

Talk, so I Can See You

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This is one of the most special and poetic expressions in the Arabic language. 

Isn’t it beautiful?

And what a brilliant choice to use talk and see!

When you talk, you simply… talk, spontaneously, casually, using your voice, your feelings, your words. In other words, when you become you, the other can hear, see, and know the real you better. Whatever you are and whatever experience, profession, or talent you have, the other can’t see any of it until you talk. 

But things doesn’t rely only on the one who talks; listeners have their important share too. A listener’s good eyesight and hearing are not enough if they really want to see the one talking. To really see someone, is to use your heart. That’s why the blind and the deaf can see you as well as anyone else.

Not everyone who listens, truly listens. Have you heard of this saying before? May I make this tiny addition: Not everyone who listens, truly listens —or truly sees. 

Even when you read a story, you come to know the characters better through their dialogue. The more they talk, the more you see them, unless you’re not interested in the book at all.

By the way, don’t you agree that writing is one of the most creative and artistic ways of talking? 

I do—for some people, talk flows more in writing, and see deepens more in others’ writings. These are the same ones who believe talk lives in writing, and see broadens through others’ writings.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

Please Bear With Me

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Starting today, please don’t be surprised if I like and dislike your post at the same time. Or if you catch me me follow a conversation I have no idea how and when I get into. Or if I subscribe and then unsubscribe to your blog. 

Oh my … I am pretty sure things like that have happened before, but honestly that’s mainly because of a lagging internet connection or a frozen screen. If this happens today or tomorrow, or even already did, my sincere apologies!

So starting now, hopefully for just a few days, I might be a bit clumsy because I am using a new device. Every time I switch to a new one, funny things happen. Sometimes I wish I had kept the old one as there was no thing wrong with it. But my sons want to get me a special gift for my special day, and here I am using it. It’s actually great, but my brain needs time to befriend it. 

You know the most annoying thing right now? It is Jetpack app. I can’t find the Reader icon as I used to on the other device. So I’ve switched to using WordPress in the browser, and I’m trying to navigate my way through it.

Hopefully things will get better soon.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

Joy and Blogging

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Blogging is really fun. Well… that’s how I see it.

Imagine writing with no obligations, no deadlines, and no pressure. Just you, your thoughts, your imagination, and your piece of writing.

And … it’s also another way to hear others and be heard. Some voices are loud, some whisper. Some are bold, some shy. Some dramatic, some romantic. Some informative, some subjective. Isn’t that beautiful?

How interesting it is that, within this big collection of voices, you, in most cases, don’t know and would never expect to cross paths with another blogger. It’s even more interesting that you may have nothing in common. Your origins, cultures, religions, beliefs, and even your mothertongues might be totally different. The only thing that brought you together is blogging, which may also be for different reasons.

Isn’t it a joy to find peace in writing?
Of course it is.

No wonder some people say that writing is a simple, soothing remedy for mental and emotional well-being. Perhaps it’s because the paper, or the screen you’re tapping on, just listens. It waits patiently until you finish your piece with no interruptions, no complications. Perhaps it’s because you can express yourself, your feelings, and your thoughts more freely in writing than speaking. Or maybe… it’s simply because you love the feeling of being a writer.

And finally, there’s a joy in reading others’ thoughts which can make you smile, laugh, cry, or even teach you something new … and maybe even different.

Keep writing with joy!


With hope and peace,

Nahla






daily prompt

Writing: It’s Just Like Cooking

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What do you enjoy most about writing?

Well… that was the first thought that crossed my mind today.

But don’t you agree that writing is just like cooking?

Let me explain why.

Both writing and cooking rely on talent and taste. And, just like cooking, writing comes in different styles and varieties.  Your first attempts at both are usually awful and funny. Day after day, month after month, and years later, you begin to master your craft and savour your own unique flavour.

Have you ever thought about how writing and cooking push all your senses to the frontline when you’re on a mission? Of course they do. Both need colours and flavours, moments of quiet and noise, and the ability to stir some emotions— just as much in your cooking pot as in your piece of writing.

Copy and paste doesn’t work in writing or cooking. Don’t people say the same recipe tastes different when prepared by two different hands? The same idea applies to writing—and what better example than our responses to daily writing prompts? Your dish, as well as your piece of writing, carries your own unique signature, even if you follow all the “should do” and “shouldn’t do” rules.

And then there’s time —this precious and the most needed ingredient in both writing and cooking. Keeping it light is possible in both activities: you can boil a few eggs or scribble a few lines. But when you’re really in the mood to enjoy a good meal or to pour your heart and soul into your writing, you take your time. You wait and, sometimes, you even pray for the right moment.


And, it’s normal … actually, quite common to fall under that lagging spell that hits you like a heatwave. It becomes too warm to eat, too lazy to write. You don’t feel like cooking or writing. This sluggish phase might last a day, a week, but hopefully not much longer. Of course, it depends on how much you enjoy your homemade meals and how much power you have over your mind to pull yourself out of that lethargy.

One more thing worth mentioning about this combination of writing and cooking: it’s the element of surprise. You start with something, but unexpected things happen, which might turn completely different. The rice smells like burning popcorn, the soup thickens like pudding , and the dessert looks and tastes like something from ancient times.

Writing is even more surprising. First, an idea pops into your head, just a mere idea. With sighs, smiles, and knitted brows, you let the thoughts flow and begin to write. When you feel satisfied, you stop. Then you scan your piece again, wondering how and when you wrote this piece.

But that’s what I love most about writing— it surprises you and challenges the writer in you.

And, don’t forget that both writing and cooking like company, love inspirations, and adore compliments.

It’s truly enjoyable to share food and blog posts, isn’t it? As long as both are edible and easy to digest!

With hope and peace,

Nahla

daily prompt

kindness and Blogging

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Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone.


Honestly, the first thing that crossed my mind was Me blogging —in other words, how to be kind to myself as a blogger.

Need more explanation?

I’m like many other bloggers— I love using my voice in writing. I enjoy sharing my thoughts in my own style, and I like taking my time. So, whenever I feel disappointed or lazy or even stubborn about blogging, I try to be kind to myself.

Want to know how?

I pause— sometimes for hours, sometimes for days. During that short or long break, I gently remind myself that I write because I love it. My posts are just like little mental treasures I’ve discovered the day I started my WordPress journey.

And finally, usually with a smile, I say: if I don’t regret any of my writing, if I haven’t offended anyone, and if I’m not chasing anything but the joy of showing my talent—then why stop. That’s when I feel it’s time to fasten my seatbelt and take off—I’m on a writing mission again.

Perhaps it seems odd not to care too much about likes, shares, or subscribers. But that’s another way I practice to be kind to myself. It’s not that I don’t want my posts to be liked or shared — or gain more scubsribers. Is there any blogger who wouldn’t like that? Of course not.

It’s just me thinking that likes and shares would add more pressure. It’s like inviting people over and waiting for them to show up, wondering what if they don’t. So, I prefer to let readers knock, visit, or explore freely — no pressure, no high expectations. And, please don’t be offended if you feel differently because things depend on personal style and preference.

Just remember to be kind to yourself too, and if you love blogging— don’t stop.


With hope and peace,

Nahla







daily prompt

Dinosaurs: Bring Back or Send Over

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If you could bring back one dinosaur, which one would it be?

I don’t know why, but I’ve never been interested in dinosaurs—perhaps because of their scientific names, with their long, complicated spellings and pronunciations, which could give one nightmares.


Thank God they went extinct millions of years ago, for we literally have such an abundance in human clothing across the world.

Don’t you believe me?

But of course you should.

Haven’t you heard of the most  advanced cloned versions of dinosaurs?

The Powersaurs, Moneysaurs, Scienceosaus, Mediasaurs, Idiotosaurs, and others from the Humanosaur family. Actually, the Justosaur is also part of the family, but unfortunately, it seems quite powerless and alienated.

See, it doesn’t make much sense to bring a dinosaur back. But… maybe a sample of the cloned version could travel back in a time adventure set millions of years ago. Back then, they might learn the truth—the scientific lesson they seemed to have missed at school: dinosaurs and humans didn’t co-exist.

Now, which is better: to bring one back or send one over?



With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

The Heat Wave

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It has been scorching and dry for more than two weeks across the UK. We had been waiting for summer to grace us with its warmth once more— it does, with more than enough. But it seems that rain’s patience has worn thin. Rains have already started gathering mountains of grey clouds, ready to have full control over English weather again.

But that’s normal—I mean the summer’s heat wave and its rain-showers successor. What isn’t normal is the maddness wave that seems to be spreading like weeds all over the world. It seems to be having the worst influence on people’s mentality— from the most powerful to the common, the wealthiest to the poorest, the highly educated to basic learners.

Sometimes, one wonders whether the heatwave is behind the phenomenon of the maddness wave that’s been eating humans’ brains. Probably. But unfortunately, it seems that rains can not find their way to some people—just like Mr. Mad.

Have you ever heard the story of Mr. Mad?

Well, it’s a long fictional tale that began on one of those boiling days. It’s basically about a wealthy great- grandfather living on the top floor of a skyscraper somewhere in the world, who decided to take charge of the whole building—apartments and residents—from the hightest floors to the basement.

Well… I usually don’t give any spoilers in my reviews, but I will just say that Mr. Mad’s days bring the worst heat waves and know no rain at all.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

daily prompt

Books and Me

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List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?

I love fiction, and I love it more when its prose is poetic, rich with colourful imagery, and infused with moral significance. That’s why I never hesitate to read classic novels from the early or late 19th century, every now and then, whenever they cross my path.

I read non-fiction as well; religious, philosophical, scientific, biographies, and others. However, with non- fiction, my enjoyment depends on the author’s writing style to conclude my reading with yes I like it or not

But science fiction and comics are not for me. I might watch some movies in these genres, though.


Many of the books I have read were recommendations—directly or indirectly. Some I discovered while reading other books, some while scrolling online, some through references, some by other readers, and some during my studies.

Last year, I started my quotes and book reviews blog. Honestly, this wasn’t about recommending books, but … you could say I was developing another skill related to reading and writing.

Strange, I have rarely thought about recommending books. If anyone asks me for a recommendation, I feel like my entire reading list is lost in the labyrinth of my mind’s many chambers, making it impossible to pick just one book. So, I pause and ask what they read instead. Sometimes, they give a name or two— books that, to my relief, I’ve read as well. ‘Oh, yes, I’ve read this one, and others by the same author,’ I would say. Perhaps that, in itself, could be considered a recommendation?


I can’t really think of a specific book that has had a major impact on my life. This is simply because every book I read adds something to my reading journey—even those where I skipped some sections. It’s something like I remain the same me, but with more reading, more knowledge, more lives, and, of course a better writing craft.  And all of that makes a great impact on my life.


With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

May and May

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We’ve had a wonderful, sunny, warm weather over the last three or four weeks?  Can you believe it in the UK? It really did happen! Miraculous isn’t it? That was so encouraging to get out and enjoy long walks under the blue, shining sky.

May always brings special, unique surprises, which relate so much to the auxiliary verb ‘may.’ Both are full of possibilities, wishes, and sometimes permissions. Was the month named after the verb? I don’t know—Do you?

Do you like May? It’s okay if you may not.

I love May because it’s usually warm, colourful, and bright, but it may suprise you with heavy showers— just as the forecast expects next week.

Trees and flowers smile at May. They bloom and blossom, sing and dance, and pray: May our winter be far away!

Insects, too welcome the warmth of May. They explore freely around, but they never use ‘may‘ to sneak or rush into one’s house.

Time flies not at a airplane’s speed but like that of space rocket. And here’s May, almost gone. And you, just like me, still hoping … thinking …  praying that good news may come in abundance.

May the rest of May be kind and reassuring to all of us.

Amen

With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

They Can’t Mingle

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There are things that don’t fit, match, or combine. Although anything seems possible these days, this perspective remains well-known and carefully considered.

Yesterday, for example, I decided to make, not apple crumble, but strawberry crumble. It just so happened that I had more strawberries and wanted to use them before they expired. I used the usual familiar ingredients but added something extra—something overflowing from its jar— cocoa powder. I added a generous amount to strawberries and baked the crumble. The result was unique—but not in the yummy way. The sweet crumble turned out bitter and sour. Hopefully, today, it will taste more edible.

Perhaps you like the cocoa–strawberry combination. Actually, I enjoy each ingredient separately, but together I found the mix awful. If only the jar had a bit more space, I wouldn’t have undertaken this experiment. But at least there’s a postive outcome—I’m writing this post.

So, as my crumble experiment proved, some things can’t just be added, mixed, or combined. You can’t, for example, blend truth with lies or belief and atheism. If you do, the outcome will be so vague, so meaningless.

Don’t you see the difference between these qualities—or rather the gap that separates them? But, though they can’t mingle, they can still define each other.

Truth is the quality of being true, while lies are things that are not true. See? They can’t be mixed— just like oil and water. Yet, clever as we are, we create something in between and call it ‘a white lie.’ Ironically, instead of using grey—the blend of two colours—we use white, a solid colour that indicates its separate entity, even though it’s attached to ‘lie.’

Therefore, while we may cross the line between certain qualities, we can never erase it.

With hope and peace,

Nahla