“I am a lifelong learner and I love history. I believe that my drive for knowledge keeps my mind young and my zest for life at its highest levels.”
–Nabila Khashoggi
Being a lifelong learner and endlessly curious is why I have such a passion for literature, promoting my children’s books, art, and travel. Some may think I’m a bit whimsical, and, well, that’s because I am! Get curious and creative! You’ll see just how much there is to keep you endlessly fascinated and sharp.
Some tips for staying abreast of history, art, literature, etc.
“Learning never exhausts the mind.” –Leonardo da Vinci
- Read, read, and then read some more! Visit your public library. Your library card may be the most valuable piece of plastic you own! Saul Bellow said, “People can lose their lives in libraries. They ought to be warned.”
- Use your smartphone to find interesting, educational, fascinating content! We are so inundated with information—most of it useless and probably untrue. If we use our phones in an intelligent way to actually learn about things, they can be indispensable If you’re not sure of an event in history or person, when they lived, etc., look it up!
- Engage with your friends. Ask them what they’re reading, what films they’re watching, etc. If you can go to a revival house, do so. Everything is streaming now and we can view great old films from the comfort of our homes but make a habit of going out with friends and watching films or seeing plays and then discussing them. History and art happen when intelligent people talk about ideas and things they’ve witnessed.
Travel if you can. One of the great pleasures of my life has been traveling extensively. This is partly why I wrote the series of children’s books, “Spartan and the Green Egg.” Travel also informs the creative process when I’m thinking of new ideas for my line of skincare and makeup, Nabila K. Certain fragrances from around the world are especially intriguing because of their exotic nature. For example, the damask rose is a favorite scent with an incredible past. If we can use an ancient Middle Eastern scent that adorned princes and princesses in our everyday lives, that’s true luxury!
For History Lovers
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
–Mahatma Gandhi
As a lover of history, one of the most important things I’ve learned is that you must find out about the world, important key events, and how they shape people. It can be mind-boggling just thinking about the history of the world, how old and vast it is, etc. This is why I think everyone should regularly visit The Museum of Natural History (in NYC). The exhibits on extinct mammals, the evolution of man, and the incredible dinosaur bones
really humbles me and are sure to make anyone who sees them feel very small in the scheme of things! Learning about our awesome natural world makes me feel vital and alive.
As a lover of art (especially photography), one should also regularly visit The Met in New York City. Having a sense of the history of art, important artists, and movements is fundamental to being an educated individual. Where would we be without art? Wherever you are in the world, try to visit great art museums (if you’re in Paris, spend an afternoon in the Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay; in London, go to the Tate).
Philanthropy
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
–Pablo Picasso
Another reason to stay abreast of what’s happening in the world is so that you can help bring about change where change is needed. Awareness is essential, and so is philanthropy. The Children for Peace (ONLUS) is a charity that means a great deal to me and one I try to stay as involved with as possible.
To read more about Spartan and the Green Egg, Nabila K, and The Children for Peace, visit the sites below:
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com
To read more of a recent interview with Al Sharkiah magazine, check out their website.
