Tag: dailyprompt

A Prayer for Plates

~ Nuraine Sadaf ~ 2 Comments

We are living in strange times.

Last week, I was in New York City with a friend. We stood in line outside a ‘popular’ bakery for a hot cinnamon bun. It was raining, we somehow managed to get inside without getting soaked, placed our order, and looked around for a place to sit.

There was none.

I found a tiny corner near a pillar with a tiny spot to hold a plate. When our order arrived, the warm cinnamon bun was served on a paper plate, my drink came in a plastic cup, and we had to use plastic cutlery to eat focaccia bread. Imagine cutting a focaccia bread with a plastic knife, that knife was showing off its moves.. bending and dancing and cutting the bread wherever it pleased rather than where we wanted it to. All this..while also struggling to hold our bags, making sure the plate doesn’t tip and fall. Somehow we managed to finish our food and left the bakery.

To be honest, we were relieved to step outside and breathe in some fresh air.

I have no clue how the food tasted.

In the name of convenience and in the concept of saving time we seem to be losing the pleasure of eating. What happened to real plates, spoons, and knives? Why are we served food in takeaway containers, even after saying we’re here to dine-in?

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~ Nuraine Sadaf ~ Leave a comment

What is your favorite quote?

“There’s a beauty to this, actually. I like it here. And I believe I shall be fine to remain here all my life” – Brandon Sanderson

I read this quote in the book Tress of the Emerald Sea by one of my favorite authors, Brandon Sanderson.

I liked this line because of its simplicity. Tress, the main character, silently shares her sentiment of being content. No more, no less, simply being ‘here’, in the present moment.

Contentment is a state we rarely allow ourselves to be feel. It made me think that sometimes we don’t realize how we are always wishing for more, and are never satisfied with what we already have. We compare, measure, and convince ourselves that happiness is one step away: a BMW when we already have a Subaru, a house with a pool instead of a townhouse, a higher salary when we already have a stable job, a child who throws fewer tantrums, or dreaming of a Euro trip while sitting on a beach. We don’t realize to simply be alive and to experience life is in itself a miracle.

Tress does not have much, she lives on a lonely rock in the middle of an endless sea, with little to distract or entertain her. Yet, she reminded me that contentment isn’t something that the world should offer us, it is something we cultivate. Being here is enough.

Thirty-Minute Friend

~ Nuraine Sadaf ~ Leave a comment
Daily writing prompt
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.
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Ten years ago, on my way to college, I got on my regular bus, which was fortunately not crowded and had a few vacant seats.

I sat by the window and started reading a book that they were teaching in my Literature class, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. At the next stop, a girl got on the bus and sat next to me. She noticed what I was reading, then smiled at me and asked, “Is that by Daphne du Maurier?” That was the conversation starter.

The route to my college usually takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on the traffic. The entire time, we chatted without a pause. We talked about all the books we enjoyed reading, the authors we love, and I cannot forget the enthusiasm with which we laughed and agreed, when one of us named a book that we had mutually enjoyed reading. We also talked a bit about our personal lives, I guess, but I don’t remember much about that. All I know is that her name was Hannah. I did not meet her again but the joy that I felt while talking to her was surreal.

I usually dread conversations with strangers as I’m not quite good with small talk, I struggle listening to people rambling about their life. But with Hannah, it was a conversation, not a monologue about topics of similar interests that brought out the best version of ourselves.

It is strange how we can sometimes connect with strangers, while there are certain people with whom we can spend a lifetime together and still be uncomfortable showing our real side.

Positive Change

~ Nuraine Sadaf ~ 1 Comment
Daily writing prompt
Describe one positive change you have made in your life.
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Practicing yoga daily has brought a positive change in my life, both physically and emotionally. I recall a time when making time for self-care amidst a demanding work schedule seemed like an unattainable feat. However, prioritizing myself has brought a happy balance into my life.