THE best hours and moments are those I spend with my 20-year-old son Khaled. I learned the day he was born that humans come to this world with their own unique characteristics, and that we as parents and family are supposed to be guardians rather than brainwashing machines until they find their own ways and hopefully flourish. He, my beautiful son, is in the middle of the usual struggle to find his own identity — and he begs my help for a little brainwashing to make it easy for him.
As a past struggling human being, I know better than to force information into his youthful brain. I knew 20 years ago that we all humans are gifted yet also suffer for truth, that we have to uncover our own identities and that any interference from outsiders mutilates the process, or delays its birth. The only advice I gave him was that humans consist of three parts: the shell (the body), the brain (the machine) and the soul (the real you), which needs to be discovered and nurtured.
I also told him that the soul is completly not affected or infected by emotions. I told him that emotions are the salt and pepper of life: Too much ruins the pot. We have given good and bad emotions the driver’s seat of our brains, and as a result have historically created chaos. My advice to my son and to everyone else: Do not trust your emotions.
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Dear Nadia. My wedding anniversary is very near and I am on a short business trip to Saudi Arabia. I would like to buy my wife a special gift.
— George, UK
Dear George ...There are many choices according to what your wife likes. The most valuable are hand-woven carpets, either silk or wool. Many come from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other Asian countries. You have to know that they will cost much more if you buy them at home (UK).And you ought to research on the Internet what kind of carpets you want. Most sellers are honest since they want you to come back but you can never be sure so bargain. You have to differentiate between machine- made and hand-made carpets. Check also how you will handle it at airport customs or if it would be better to send it by air freight. As for gold and silver which are famous in the Gulf, you will always win side since the two are not only beautifully crafted but also the prices are half what you would pay at home. Gold and silver are sold by the gram and the seller will weigh it in front of you. There are always gifts such as wooden chests or hand-made items. My advice as a woman is to stick to silver and gold. After diamonds, they are a girl’s best friend.