As I come to a close..

As Ramadan draws to a close, I started thinking last night about what has happened over the holy month and how I fared. Like some of the endeavours I have undertaken in the past, I started Ramadan off by looking to when it would end, no different from others in the past. As I went into the month, I wondered how long it will take, how I would make it through and the hardships along the way.

As a father and husband, I am duty bound (from a religious standpoint) to know the meaning of Ramadan and the values it seeks to teach; these lessons are not only intended for the holy month but indeed a lifetime (with a renewal lesson every year). I am also human and the food and drink restraints during Ramadan are trying; and it is in this trial that the lessons of Ramadan come through.

Now that I am near the end, I look back and am glad I was blessed with significantly improved health from all the running throughout the year which was the key to Ramadan this year. No longer do I eat a double meal at break fast, eating smaller portions over a spread of time. No longer do I struggle to get up for the morning meal. No longer do I need (crave!) a big meal in the morning. No longer do I feel poorly during the fasting day. No longer do I feel tired after physical activity during the fasting day (I even managed to retain some semblance of a running routine, with a decrease in some 20% in weekly milage)

What’s the synonym of No longer?  It is restraint…the lesson of Ramadan..