Today marks the twenty- fourth day of Ramadan, the month
observed by Muslims all around the world. It is considered the holy month, in which we increase our prayers, purify our hearts, words, and actions, and give more in charity. The most well known
characteristic of this month, however, is the fast. Muslims fast from dawn to
dusk everyday, refraining from all food and drink.
Reading this, some of you may be wondering how I am holding
up--whether I’m clenching my stomach in pain, exhausted and broken
by the 13 hours of not having eaten a single morsel of food. Some of you may even feel sorry for me.
Although I feel the pangs of an empty stomach that any
normal person would experience, I am actually comforted. I am
comforted by the fact that fasting has prevened me from
overindulging, and quite literally stuffing my face all day with thick, heavy
breads, salty chips, and all the destructive sugar that rushes to my brain and
sucks it of all hydration. I am comforted that I am stronger every day,
confident that my ability to withstand the hunger of today will constantly
allow me to stay content and productive in the challenges I face tomorrow. I am comforted with the notion that I am blessed so much that at any give time, I can close my eyes, open
my fridge, grab something random, and know that whatever it is, it will be delectable
and fully satisfying. What is some hours a day for a month, to the years and
years I not only had enough food to fill my belly for one meal, but enough
grocery stores and restaurants to pick out exactly what I desired to fill my
belly twenty times over?
