Abstinence

The month of 5 a.m. wake up calls, eating (blindly) while sleeping, great interest in time (what time is it now?), dragging feet around instead of walking properly, vacant eyes and slumped postures, Asian Food Channel being the most-watched channel, animosity and resentment towards young siblings young enough to be able to eat, when even a vegetable looks good, extreme hygiene (must have fourth shower), where everyone is taking a leaf out of a bear's book and hibernates, where cakes, ice creams and ice-cold drinks are the stuff of daydreams, people behaving like shopaholics when at a bazaar, Jakel being crowded (hard to find parking spot), ears being sensitive to the sound of Azans, sitting at the dining table 10-30 minutes before sunset (gotta be prepared ya know), smiles and silence when the first sip is taken (or 3 or 4 gulps), stomachs being bloated with water, difficulty performing the Rukuk of Maghrib prayers, sleeping directly after Maghrib prayers, performing Tarawih prayers blearily (or.. is that just me?), suppers and midnight snacks.

It's also the month of asking for forgiveness and trying to forgive, seeing the difference between a full man who smiles and a hungry one that smiles too, friendly reminders about The Deen, of warm wishes, where the seeds of change are planted, being in the shoes of those who go hungry for 12 months a year, being with family and enjoying their company, productive silence, quiet pleasure after performing the 8 Rakaat of Tarawih, or 20, letting go of all the rage and anger, of not saying things that do not need to be said, it's the month of trying, of trying so hard to be good, and failing in some days and succeeding in most. 

Happy Ramadhan everyone! BarakAllahufikum.