The Positive Power of Me!
How I survive!
Life in Gaza seems to many somehow disappointing. This is what most people think, but this is not what I do think. Gaza taught me that I had to work for everything I want and need. Gaza taught me how to appreciate everything I have and don’t. Gaza offered me the very opposite of what life shouldn’t be to enjoy how life has to be. Gaza showed me the beauty of simplicity through its complexities. Gaza is just a great school which voluntarily offers gratuitous lessons for those ready to stop whining and moaning.
“Are you always happy?” “How could you manage to be always so?”, the answer to such kind of questions I’m frequently asked is, why wouldn’t I be? Simply, I enjoy my life in Gaza. Yes, the same Gaza that is widely perceived as wretchedly tattered. I enjoy it even if I have every reason not to. I’ve experienced the brutal war, the hermetic siege, the sporadic power-cuts, the noisy generators, the lousy neighbors, the irritating taxi-drivers, etc. However, I’d say that Gaza isn’t the issue; we are the issue. It’s all about how differently one sees things. As Hamlet simply puts it, “there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” It’s all about choices. I choose to be either miserably unhappy or wisely happy. I shape my destiny the way I like by changing the way I think and the way I perceive things. Even if I, sometimes, feel that I can’t bear the load of getting constantly disappointed, I always have this strong conviction that the best is yet to come. This is the positive power of me, through which I have survived all the horrible things that took place in my life. This positive power of me gives me always a good appetite for life, for everything. No wonder I keep growing fatter!
There’s one thing that Gaza didn’t teach me; though, an Albanian friend, whom I met in Granada, did. He taught me that it ain’t enough to live the experience. I have to taste it and enjoy the taste, then store it in my memory to recall whenever I need to strengthen that positive power of me. He told me that, to feel always alive, I need to change something from time to time, and I have to keep it as simple as possible, for simple things have greater impact on the confused mind. Now, I have lots of good memories by which I could live happily ever-after.
So, please, my dear readers, don’t gulp down your coffee without enjoying its taste. Take a sip. Enjoy the taste. Then, dip a piece of chocolate into it. Feel the taste. Life can’t be simpler and more enjoyable. Even if you have every reason not to smile, try to push a smile. Stop feeling lifeless and enjoy your life. Dismiss all the negative thoughts that occupy your mind and try to be positive all the time. Change your lenses and see things from a different angle. See? Life ain’t that bad. Live the experience and enjoy its taste. Life is too short to waste, so start living it now. Always keep the four s’s: keep strong, safe, sound and simple. You deserve to be happy. Let’s Carpe Diem together!
I hope you understand the challenge that we, people in Gaza, have to take. Life under siege, under occupation which wants us more dead than alive, is by no means OK. Pain is deeply entrenched in my Gaza, and suffering intrudes on every aspect of life. However, through positive thinking, we can surmount all the difficulties we have to face. If we aren’t destined to have light all the time because of the constant power outages, we maybe need to enjoy darkness through which we can appreciate light. If we cannot change things on the ground like ending the Israeli occupation, the imposed siege, etc., we can change the way we perceive things. We can bravely challenge the occupation this way. And, I proudly say that Gazans are proven to be extraordinarily amazing when it comes to challenges. They never let suffering assume its control on us. We can always find a way out. The world still can learn from us. We are a school of resilience.
PS. I attached a photo of mine while I was tasting beef-burger at Mazaj. This photo is one of my favorite, expressive photos.
Thats why you are different
Oh, Nisma!
You read it?!
Would you suggest a photo for me?
For sure I read it!
All your photoes express YOU ..
Every photo and every word represents who is Fidaa ..
Thank you, Nisma. I’m lucking having you a friend.
You have this talent for blending your personal experiences, your simplicity & ur creativity
))
Sometimes i feel that you get what’s in my mind about u, & u expressed it, getting under the skin of each one of ur ppl whom loved u …
Each paragraph or each line is a remarkable one which tells the story but no one can get what u say expect those who know Fidaa…
Its a moving article which has ur history or we can say i see FIDAA between the lines.
U are brilinant by ur simple wayz in life……
))
Did u get me? why i loved u once & i still love u….
coz ur eyes when i looked at them… i seeeeee how lucky u are,,, u enjoy ur life in many things i would never expect the way you like them…
I was once like Fidaa ” Are you really happy?” i remembered how you answered me. You took a deep breath with a light smile, then, you turned your face
So shall I ask myself the question i wrote it for u yesterday ” is Fidaa happy now?” i took the answer from ur beautiful lines. thnx for ur replying !! RELIEF:D
)))
Sure it is & it will be alwayz,,, even if u face some hard times even its complexity, u will get through it like a magic carpet
But even u answered that u are & u will,, i want u to remember many ppl want u to stay like this even those who are outta ur life,,,
so Be Strong,, Be Sound & Safe…
thats why i see the life easier nowadayz, coz i learned my lessons in a hard way,, why not?? this is life its short enough to learn from it & live it:)
And the best is yet to come for sure:)))
Enjoy ur life,,, i wish for u the best ALWAYZ:)
Dear Aya,
You spent a year and a half with me, and you got to know how I see things. This is why I kept telling you not to ruin your moment by your negative thoughts. Take things easy and enjoy. Change your perspectives and you’d be better off. Anyhow, thanks for reading.
All the best,
Fidaa
To feel always alive, I need to change something from time to time, and I have to keep it as simple as possible, for simple things have greater impact on the confused mind. This is the most part which I like it !
Dear Hind,
Thank you for reading my piece. Stay happy and positive.
Greetings,
Fidaa
You pretty much encapsulated all the feelings that I’ve been storing inside since ever i came back from the US . As Gazans , we are always over-weighed with the bitterness of our political situation that we overlook so many beauties in our life .People should begin to realize that we’re the only ones capable of ripping away the veil of negativity that has become an unfortunate integral part of our daily business .If only we’re capable of enjoying God’s grace and appreciating it , we would feel the essence of life with complete openness and satisfaction .
Dear Zainab,
I liked your words of wisdom. I totally agree with you. Thank you very much.
With respect,
Fidaa
it really gave me a positive energy! weird how words can affect us! bless u, fidz. u make us feel love! we’ll all live once, and you provide the perfect way of the perfect living. without loving, there’s no giving!
Dear Ghadeer,
Thank you, Habibti, for reading this. You made my Eid ^^
This is the purpose of writing it; I wanted to transfer this positive power to everyone. I am happy you took some positive energy. Whenever you want some, you are most welcome to re-read the article. ^^
Best,
Fidaa
Dear Miss Fidaa,
Hope you are happy and strong. See you in a higher possition as you always are. With many happy returns.
nicely put, Fidaa. I liked how intriguing Hamlet can be when put simply without the philosophy and stretching of university teachers; it’s all a matter of choices, after all.
Dear Mr. Refaat,
This is the beauty of Hamlet. It can be interpreted either simply or intricately. So, yes, it’s all a matter of choices.
Thank you for reading, sir.
Kindest Regards,
Fidaa
First, I would like to thank you Fidda for those inspiring words. I can’t agree more on what u said . Actually, most of people here are trying to create the misery around them even if it wasn’t there. It’s like they simply enjoy being the victim all the time. For me, I always say for those pessimistic peole: Common life can’t be that bad. You have got to raise a smile for being alive, for having a chance to fix whatever is wrong, to tell your family what you didn’t tell,…etc. As gazans, decpite all the bad times we have been through , we did survive. Well, this is a definite reason to always smile
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Dear Wesam,
this is totally true. We survived. We need to enjoy the survival. It’s no use crying over spilt milk.
This was an incredible article, it seems that u have changed a lot sis
i like this quote ( I always have this strong conviction that the best is yet to come)>< keep on
next turn,make sure to have twining between your blog & social networks to make it easier to put comments
Dear Sage,
Thank you for your comment. But what do mean by the “twining”? How could I make this possible? Can you help?
An absolutely uplifting and beautiful writing here!
Dear Rana,
Thank you, friend, for reading this. ^^ Your comment means a lot to me.
Lots of love,
Fidaa
u know fidaa, ur the only one who perfectly can write about this idea . i really feel that ur talking to me ,i didn’t feel for a moment that i ‘m reading one of ur posts. .
Regarding, the idea u want to represent, it could be that much easy or that much difficult. It depends mainly on us but sometimes the circumstances are stronger than us .
Dear Neveen,
Thank you for reading my post. As for what you mentioned, even if the circumstances are stronger than us, don’t ever let them control you, yet you control them. I always tell my students this, and it might help you in this regards that “don’t let life change your smile, yet let your smile change your life”. It’s all about “thinking”. Thinking can make it easy or difficult. It’s all about how you perceive things. You need to change your attitudes and perspectives to enjoy your life. Start with the simple things. Try to enjoy reading a book and talking about it. Try to enjoy hanging out with your friends and taking photos. Make every moment in your life so special. You can do it. Just empower yourself with that positive power. It would take time. It all depends on you how much you need to reach this point. Neveen, your face shines more with your smile. Keep smiling, dear.
there are two kinds of people in the world fidaa. those whose cups are 1/2 empty and those whose cups are 1/2 full. yours is ever flowing with opportunity.
god bless you
annie
Dear Annie,
Thank you very much for reading my post. I like your words.
God bless you, too.
Fidaa
yes , i agree with you .
gaza is our teacher ,i tought us how to be happy in sadness and for example if brought some one from any country and put him in a war he would be Mentally ill . But in gaza we are tought how to beyond bad times and change it into happy.
amazing article miss fidaa keep it on
your student: ahmed (barda)
Dear Ahmed,
So glad you read my article. Thank you, dear.
All the best,
Fidaa
Fidaa , it’s really impressive wt u have written n thanks alot 4 sharing this wonderful piece ov ur own writing ,, u r right , it’s not about how bad or good things might turn out to be , it’s about how we look at things ! we can change hell into heaven , sadness into happiness , boredom into exctiment by having this positive worldview of things n i got to realize this after i’ve been through some hard times n i was buried deep in my disappointment but then i realized that sadness will only bring sadness n nothing but sadness ! wtever happend , it happend , it’s now past n history no use feeling sad , disappointed or wtever about it ! i’ve got nothing to lose so why not to be positive n optimistic !
i loved the way u express urself n i also read another piece of ur writing where u r talking about gurls who calls 4 trivial rights
keep it up fidaa , u r aweosme
Dear Ola,
It gives me much pleasure to see such a comment. Many thanks!
Assalamu Alaikum Fidaa,
It is only through Allah’s grace and mercy that He has blessed you with such possitiveness where you are able to take in lessons to be the happy one who has peace in the midst of a raging storm at sea.
Allah is great!
SubhanAllah.
You know, I don’t know if you read the book ”Don’t be Sad” by Sheikh Aaidh bin AbdAllah Al-Qarni, I tell you it’s all about being positive no matter your situation.
Of recent I am going through a painful time, so really that book does wonder for me.
This post of yours did remind me of that book.
I will just leave you with a short piece of his that I remember:
He says Sadness and worry is the root to depression and mental problems.
Do not be sad and sit idle taking the easy way out, but get busy with reading, writing, visiting relatives and don’t be a pessimist.
He said, in good times and in bad times we are very fortunate as Muslims that we have Allah to turn to.
Just remember, those thick black clouds sooner or later will have to pass and the violent winds will subside, so everything has its time and will end.
When you feel hopeless and helpless, and then remember relief is near.
Allah’s help is near.
Oh, I can go on, but Fidaa, reading it straight from that wonderful book it is as though the Sheikh is talking to you.
May Allah reward him for such fine works, Ameen.
Fidaa, and of course Palestine and Ghazza is a model of patience and steadfastness for the entire world at large to take untold amount of lessons, in times of hardship and happiness from time immemorial. SubhanAllah, If only you know how often Ghazza gave me strength in my time of need. Thank you Oh, Palestine. You are the symbolic structure of Light, Peace, Patience and most of all FAITH.
May Allah keep your spirit bright so that you may lead a peaceful life wherever you may be, with His guidance, Ameen.
Sis, one thing, I feel a bit awkward seeing your pic up there as you know how dangerous the cyber world is, isn’t it?
May Allah protect you and your family from all harm, Ameen.
Still it’s your choice but I just had to bring it to your attention.
Much love,
Hanan
RSA
”So, please, my dear readers, don’t gulp down your coffee without enjoying its taste. Take a sip. Enjoy the taste. Then, dip a piece of chocolate into it. Feel the taste. Life can’t be simpler and more enjoyable. Even if you have every reason not to smile, try to push a smile. ”
Loved that!
Oh now when i drink coffee, I know you will come to mind that will defintely put a huge smile to my face. The my sister will go like this: ”Now, now what’s the smile for?” LOL
As we usually have coffee together every night after supper.
Lovely, Fidz!
MashaAllah
***then my sister will…
(typo)
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. — Leonardo Da Vinci