Ramadan Begins Tonight/Tomorrow. I will be fasting.

[IdaBriggs]

No, I am not Moslem. This will be my fourth year. No one is making me do it, and if I "cheat", no one will care except me.

I find it ... empowering.

You see, Ramadan is a month long exercise in having an "Attitude of Gratitude."

The concept is simple: get up before the sun rises, and eat a healthy breakfast. Skip lunch. Eat a late supper.

From sunrise to sunset = No Food. No Water. No Drink.

It is the "in between" that changes everything.

You see, you aren't supposed to "ignore" being hungry, or thirsty.

= When you are hungry, you are supposed to remember there are people who do not have a choice about breaking their fast at the end of the day, and they will go to bed hungry.

= When you are thirsty, you are supposed to remember there are people who do not have clean water, and they will go to bed thirsty.

= When you break your fast at the close of the day with family and friends, you are supposed to remember there are people who do not have family and friends.

For one solid month, you are supposed to pay attention to how good you've got it, and remember those who don't. It is a visceral thing instead of a purely intellectual exercise, and for me, it is powerful.

Charitable giving from Moslems goes up substantially during Ramadan, and I *totally* understand why. There is something about "being hungry" that makes me very aware of the restaurants and grocery stores that are on practically every corner of my area. Food is everywhere, for those who can afford it. And clean water comes out of the tap without any effort on my part.

When you are hungry, you notice. When you are thirsty, you see. It changes things, at least it does for me.

The first year I fasted was the most challenging; there was one Sunday in particular where I was outside in the hot sun, and man! It was freaking AWFUL! I was so thirsty!

And I got it. My lunch money was donated to the Somalia Water Efforts.

The second year hit me the hardest, though. I had taken my twins (age 3 at the time) to the park, and we were having a small heat wave. Being the good mom, I was making sure they stayed hydrated (children, pregnant women, travelers, and anyone whose health would be compromised are NOT supposed to fast), while I was ready to about fall over every time I left the shaded areas. I was so thirsty...

And that was when it hit me: How would I feel if I couldn't give *my children* clean water??? If MY CHILDREN were THIS THIRSTY - and there was NOTHING I could do about it?

I got it again. Still think about it regularly two years later. Go Somalia Water Effort!!!

This year is going to be tough, not because of the "skipping lunch" part (altho psychologically, I swear that first week is quite challenging starting at 10:00 a.m.!), but because "sunrise" means 4:10 a.m. where I am at, while "sunset" is around 9:00 p.m. Mainly I don't want to get out of bed that early , but I've learned the importance of "breakfast" on those occasions when I hit the snooze alarm instead.

Its going to be some long days, but at the end, I will have Food, Water, and Fellowship.

I am very lucky. I am grateful. And I will remember those who don't.

I will practice my "Attitude of Gratitude" because I have much to be grateful FOR.

Happy Ramadan Everyone!


P.S. You are also supposed to pick "one bad habit" to get rid of, and "one good one" to take on. Mine are going to be "not sniping at family and friends" and "reading scripture daily"; also the above post is my understanding as shared by friends of the faith mentioned, and is not intended to be offensive to anyone.