Letter #26 - The Flaws Within

Dear readers,

So I think I've mentioned before, that I am very careful speaking about religion in general, so as not to offend anyone or overstep from the limited knowledge I hold. But it's Ramadan again and my spiritual side wants to pop out so I don't think I should stop it.

For those that don't know, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which follows the lunar sightings, and as such, moves back by around 20 days each year. It is a month where Muslims around the world keep a daytime fast between sunrise and sunset, withholding from food and drink as well as abstaining for all manner of wrongdoings. So right now, Ramadan has fallen on the longest days that I myself have ever had to fast. Here in England, the fasts are around 18 hours long, given the long summer days.

It is my favourite time of year, however. It is a time for reflection, peace and humility. By emptying your stomach of food, you can instead focus on feeding your soul and practising your faith in any manner that you can.

I've found that a lot of people who may not necessarily practice actively during the rest of the year, seem to find themselves, or a better version of themselves during this month. I try to be one of them. And that fact is where this post stemmed from.

I try. But as a month of reflection, I've already reflected upon some stark realisations about myself and maybe these will apply to you or someone you know.

I'm not as great of a Muslim, or person for that matter, as I would like to be. I do try all year round to practice and I don't just mean by praying or reading. It's not always the tangible physical evidence that counts, although I do try there as well. I mean, I try to have good intentions, keep good thoughts, limit my anger and impatience, try not to be judgemental and so on. I feel that overall those acts from within help your soul as much as the fasting and the praying. I think that I do the best job that I can at those aspects, because they are traits that require reflection.

If I've been in a bad mood during the day and snapped unnecessarily at others, I'll reflect on that and try to prevent it happening again. If I've sworn at someone, I'll immediately regret it and as a result, I will try not to swear again. The reflection and improvement as a result, I feel comes quite easily to me.

It's the more tangible acts of worship that I seem to struggle with. It is said that during the month of Ramadan, the devil has no power over any of us. It is a month where we are protected, and yet people still sin or act in a way in which they would rather not. I think this just highlights the flaws within us. That we are all tainted by the world and by temptation and our own selfishness. These are all difficult things to rid ourselves of, but Ramadan is a time to try.

To me, Ramadan has that same renewing quality that a new year does. And in the same way, that I make resolutions for the new year, I make resolutions for Ramadan. I try to achieve more than I did the year before and build upon what I have already done and where I am spiritually.

Knowing yourself is a gift. Once you know, then that knowledge is yours to use and in doing so, actively work towards what and who you would like to be. 

Ramadan, it seems to me, is the best time to get to know yourself. It is a time without distraction, and excess and all the other white noise that filters into our lives. In this way, I find that it is the best time to figure out who you are and who you want to be.

It provides us with a whole month of opportunity. Every day is a new day to be better than you were yesterday and I think whether you are a Muslim or not, this is something that we can all benefit from. Who doesn't want to improve upon their past selves or move forward to something better? That is all that Ramadan is; a chance to be better, a chance to find your potential and embrace it.

So when you get disheartened, or feel like your efforts are not enough, just remember there's always tomorrow and there's always another chance. Take it and make use of it to the fullest extent of your being.

Until next time, be inspired...

Love, Z