Finally, after a couple of months work, my website is online. Never expected it to take so long to be honest, it seems the business of web development, writing and content creation would be time consuming.
But with small and consistent steps, I am sure I will have a great library of wisdom to offer to my family, friends and the world!
This blog post is more for me than for you, the reader, It just felt appropriate that the first post on this website titled “Hello World!”. It would have felt off otherwise. (if you get it, you get it.)
So why all of this? what threw me to the realms of writing and content creation?
well, first off, I have to admit, I have a very strong imagination, you should see the endless fictional interviews I have conducted, things I wanted to say and share with the world. And I am an educator at heart, I want to follow in footsteps of both my Parents and teach, (My father is a coach and trainer for businesses, my mother a Professor). I had the pleasure of teaching once and it felt just right…I would like to keep doing that.
However, I am lazy and a bit cowardly I guess. Imposter Syndrome would not leave me alone, why would anyone want to listen to what I have to say? And it was easier to leave things live in my head than try and bring them to life. Again, the business of creating requires a lot of hard work.
But, It is indeed very heavy on the soul, to have ambition but be lazy, to know that you have potential and just watch it slip away.
The culmination of this feeling, coupled with an insight, and by the grace of Allah, I found myself one step closer to him. And it is such a beautiful thing, that I could not just not talk about it.
And whose words are better than someone who calls ˹others˺ to Allah, does good, and says, “I am truly one of those who submit.”?
– Surah Fussilat (41:33), Translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran.
And that was my biggest motivation, to share what turned out to be simple but very profound.
Something to leave behind after I am no longer in this world, something that I hope that would be an ally on the day of judgement.
So this is a tentative plan of what Blog posts I intend to write and after that, some kind of guidelines for what to expect in the future.
Upcoming Blog Posts
Here are blog posts that I have sketched down with a title. I am might update this list later, if it makes sense timeline wise, otherwise this will become a relic of an older age.
- The steps that brought me closer to God. (Religion)
- Why I think Boycotting Matters? (Legacy)
- Boycotts vs Big Tech companies (Legacy)
- Why I believe you shouldn’t start learning to code with Python? (cs)(coding)
- What do you actually Study when You study Mathematics? And What to expect? (math)
- The Puzzling Question by Mostafa Mahmoud, a book review. (books)
- My Journey from Doubt to Faith by Mostafa Mahmoud, a book review. (books)
- Atomic Habits by James Clear, a book Review (books)
- Show your Work by Austin Kleon, a book Review (books)
- Review on the beginner course/Video by Smoljames. (coding)
- Getting in fit and Shape. (journal)
- The fight against that alarming receding Hairline! (journal)
- how very few people notice the difference by my teeth retainer. (journal)
And as for the rest of this blog post, you can find the guidelines of the future of this blog or a more holistic approach.
Guidelines
Religion
Disclaimer: I am not a scholar.
And that’s OK. A scholar would help you gain insights and understanding in some Areas of Religion, while me, a totally regular dude, will shed light on something different.
You see, in my humble opinion, I believe religion is a very personal journey, the paths we take towards our maker are unique and beautiful. Still, I also believe they intertwine and cross each other sometimes.
And I hope that by sharing what touched my soul, you might too be moved. By clarifying a perspective change, you too might think and wonder. By recounting my story, you might too reflect on yours.
And we remind ourselves, me and you, that we do all of this for the sake of the Almighty.
These topics will include, but not be limited to:
- Ayat that moved me deeply.
- Perspective Changes.
- Why I believe there is a Creator?
- What does that imply?
- Moments of doubt and how they turned into faith.
- Habits/Systems that I believe bring us closer to Allah.
Our Legacy
Our legacy and what we leave behind in this world follows naturally from our understanding of our Creator.
For if we believe that we are not just here by chance, and that we will rise again from the dead as we rise from our sleep, the matter becomes straightforward.
Our legacy, the work we put in this life, would be either our greatest ally or our worst enemy.
Tell ˹them, O Prophet˺, “Do as you will. Your deeds will be observed by Allah, His Messenger, and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the seen and unseen, then He will inform you of what you used to do.”
– Surah At-Tawbah (9:105), Translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran.
And now with that in mind, we see our actions in a new light1. We should take note of how we impact the people, the community around us. We should take note of the ripples we sent out in the world. But first, we start by with what’s within our circle of control.
Fighting our innate desire to consume and redirecting it mindfully is one of the things that lies within our circle of control, and can create a positive change.
Another is again the concept of utilizing habits and systems that builds within us the strength and courage, to spread awareness, oppose injustice, expose lies and deceit.
In general, these actions bring us in conflict, and put us in the category of “difficult” people. I don’t know about you, but I am as conflict avoidant as they come, and surely anybody would want to be accepted and loved.
But this should not come on the expense of justice and truth and we must remind ourself, that our Maker’s Acceptance is all that matters. So we must forge our hearts and characters like steel, building the strength to stand firm.
Actions speak louder than words, and if we believe in something, our behaviours should reflect that, we should lead my example and become billboards for what we want to preach.
And now let’s distill the above and more into bullet points.
- How our consumerism habits affect us and the world around us.
- Should we fight monopolies? if no, why not? And if yes, how?
- Educating ourselves on the misfortunes of other. So we are equipped with Knowledge to take action.
- Possible Action steps.
- Systems and habits to built strength of character.
- How to spread awareness and where can we find verified information.
- How to think critically with regards to news with the media.
Journaling
To be quite frank, I have nothing concrete here. I guess I would like to share with you different thoughts, encounters and insights that happen along this journey we call life.
I also intend to conduct experiments with me as the subject. I am planning to do one for weight loss, also one for hair loss.
Another thing is miniscule actions. The small and simple nature of certain acts have been showing itself to me, in books, in discussion, and in people. And the output compounds into sustainable and worthwhile results.
Things I would like to journal about:
- Thoughts, encounters and insights as I experience life.
- Looks-maxing e.g. getting fit, hair recovery.
- Small acts and habits that result in sustainable and worthwhile outcomes.
Books
I am really eager to regain the habit of reading, and I hope through my enthusiasm and eloquent writing, I can encourage you to do the same too. After all, reading is a wonderful thing—it opens portals to different timelines and places. We encounter people from all walks of life: some long gone, some from across the globe, and all different sorts.
Luckily, a friend of mine recently set me on the right path with a simple yet impactful hint. It was so small in its components, yet it made a world of difference.
The hint was straightforward: he explained how, when he scheduled his reading during inconsistent and unpredictable pockets of time throughout the day, he rarely got it done.
For example, he would plan to read while commuting to university on the bus. Often, the bus would be too crowded for him to sit and read, or he wouldn’t be able to focus, or he’d be too tired after a long day of classes. In short, it was inconvenient.
His solution? He dedicated a specific time for it. Every day, before studying or working, he would read 5 pages from a chosen set of books.
This simple strategy has been my savior as well. Nothing revolutionary, I know—but we don’t need revolutionary. We need what works. I’ve decided to set my own target to 3 books at a time. As I read and work through more, you can expect more reviews coming your way!
Once again, I would like to draw your attention to what I mentioned in the previous section. That how small nudges in the right direction can make a whole lotta difference.
Genres I am excited to explore and review:
- Religion
- Philosophy
- Self-development
- Mathematics
- Technology
- Writing
- Politics
- Economics
- Fiction
Math
One of the few things that sets my soul on fire. I feel fortunate to have found a passion that is challenging, beneficial, and never-ending—and, hopefully, one day, make it my profession.
I’ve mentioned many times that, for me at least, mathematics is an art rather than a science. As I journey through the valleys and mountains of mathematics, I plan to share my knowledge, insights, and discoveries with you.
Things I would like to write about and share with you:
- Beautiful yet simple proofs for those who aren’t deeply into math.
- Insights I gain as I study and learn.
- Explanations, summaries, or fresh takes on various topics.
Hopefully, as I continue this journey, this list will grow and evolve even further.
Computer Science
Computer Science is where my university journey began. A descendant of mathematics. On the spot, you could sense the artistry and the problem-solving paradigms.
It has become increasingly clear to me that, in this age, computers and mathematics are deeply intertwined. With different applications in constructing arguments, proving or disproving conjectures, and much more. It’s fascinating to see the growing acceptance of computer-generated proofs in tackling complex problems. I look forward to delving into these topics with you.
Beyond that, I’d also love to share different aspects of Computer Science—problem-solving, data structures, and algorithms—as I revisit my first major. I believe a not-too-old and not-to-young fellow, might offer unique insights to you, dear reader. As a ’90s kid, I’ve witnessed two extremes: from dial-up connections to fiber ADSL, from rotary dials (do you know what those are?) to the latest smartphones.
So, yes, I have a thing or two to say about computers and technology.
Topics I’d like to explore and share with you:
- The role of computers in mathematical proofs.
- Competitive programming.
- Problem-solving paradigms, data structures, and algorithms.
- Reflections on current tech news.
Coding
While I don’t claim to be an elite hacker, with unparalleled authority over the Qbits (is that even a thing? 😄), but, I have been around the block, built a project or two, programmed in a language or three…you get the drift.
I have been blessed in that my Alma Mater GUC did teach me well with regards all things computer science.
Naturally, there’s some overlap with the Computer Science section – no surprises there. But here’s the deal: while that category dives into the theoretical deep end, this one’s all about getting our hands dirty with practical coding goodness.
Think programming languages, IDEs, web dev, and frameworks – the real-world playground where code comes to life! I’ll be sharing:
- The quirky little secrets of programming languages I’ve wrestled with.
- A tour through web development frameworks that I love.
- My recommendation on how to start learning to code the right way.
- WordPress how-to guides that’ll save you some head-scratching.
It’s basically my technical playground where theory meets practice, and where I get to geek out about all things code.
Achtung ⚠️
Unpopular opinions lay ahead. Buckle up! 🚀
Last But Not Least
You stuck till the end, I must say I am surprised. Well, you see this post is more for me than for you. Some kind of guideline to remember where I wanted to go. A post to look back on in the future, and see where I was then and where I’ll be – or should I say, where I am now, Ahmed Helali? I hope you are having fun!
And as for you, my dear reader, thank you for sticking with me till the end and until the next post!
Footnotes
- Or for those of you who study mathematics, our actions take a different measure. ↩︎
