Change with Ramadan
Sometimes we get into a routine. Well, perhaps not sometimes...but most
of the time. Ever heard of the old phrase that 'we are animals of
habit'? Well, I think that is quite true. We get accustomed to doing
things or living a certain way, and it gets comfortable. Then, before
you know it, it becomes a life practice. And seems to be that the older
we get and more set in our ways, the harder it is to change or make
change in those daily habits.
The yearly visit of the month of
Ramadhan to our lives and life styles can be a refreshing forced change
on us, if we will allow it to be. But for me, as a writer, it is also a
constricting agent to much of my writing endeavors. Because of the need
to attend to my matters of worship with more concentrated attention, as
well as family matters, it seems that much of my writing life takes
back burner for the time being for the month.
I guess it all
boils down to a matter of priorities. We have to prioritize in our
lives in order to make the best of the time that we have, and manage it
in the most optimal way to attend to whatever is the most important at
the time.
Ramadhan is the month of blessings and mercy. A time
when we are promised of Allah's blessings, if only we turn to Him in
dedicated worship and pay attention to His calling of this month. But
it takes time, effort and concentration, meaning that we may very well
need to let go of some other previous activities which used to fill up
the time in our daily lives.
As a writer, that means I have to
be real careful and diligent and dedicated as well as discipline myself
to appropriate my time accordingly, to allow myself the time to attend
to my writing (and all that may be associated with it, like checking
the email, getting into this or that blog, etc.), as well as ensuring I
do not neglect my religious duties to Allah and myself.
Here
in Saudi Arabia, there is a marked change of life style and pace during
Ramadhan. Although most government offices do remain open during this
month until the coming of the eid days, still it seems like much of the
normal routine of the government beauracracy comes almost to a halt.
Same thing can be said about many businesses. They remain in business
for the month, of course...if they did not they would go under for lack
of work. But there is an obvious non-deniable slack to it all.
Let
us know what your thoughts are on this, and how life is in your area of
the world during Ramadhan. Is there a change in the pace or style of
life and living? Or does all remain the same? And what about your own
home life and personal life? Is there a change? Or does all remain the
same?
Will be looking forward to your input on this.
Balqees.
'Change with Ramadan' was posted on September 3, 2008 by Balqees Mohammed under Random Ramblings , and tagged with Ramadan
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Here in the UK, there is no real change in the society, obviously because it is a non-Muslim one. However, the changes can occur in one's home if one is dedicated enough to it.
I find that extra planning for Ramadhan has really helped me because I know what I will cool for iftaar, sorted out 'eid outfits and 'eid presents too, so then I have already freed up time for 'ibaadah and writing.
I writer best after fajr, and love to write poetry during Ramadhan more than anything. I am keeping a Ramadhan journal, which helps to write everyday (when I remember!).