But what many do not realize is that fasting is much, much more than just going hungry for the day.<\/p>\n
It’s a time to look and reflect inward. Mind, body, spirit and soul. It’s when the tongue is parched and dry, and the stomach empty, that a person truly becomes aware of his thoughts, of his behaviour and of his speech. Just like food and drink breaks a persons fast, so does backbiting and lying.<\/p>\n
Hurt someone’s feelings? Swearing? Think of your fast again, or the quality thereof.<\/p>\n
Of course there are challenging moments, like waking up at 05:00 everyday just to have a bite before the sun comes up. Or trying not to lose your temper, especially late afternoons and Sundays. As the saying goes “A hungry man is an angry man”.<\/p>\n
Everyone has a little more time in Ramadan. People are not chasing this world the way we do every other day. There’s a calmness over the community and everyone has time for the next person.<\/p>\n
Before the sun goes down, children are scampering to neighbours houses with parcels, platters of food, exchanging gifts because it’s a month of giving and sharing.<\/p>\n
Every obstacle seems an opportunity to achieve something special or improve on progress made thus far.<\/p>\n
The atmosphere in Ramadan cannot be described, it has to be experienced. Just like a car needs to be serviced at least once a year, so does the human body.<\/p>\n
And yet with all of this, sometimes ignorance or a lack of understanding leads others to express sadness towards those who are fasting.”Shame”, they say.<\/p>\n
It’s the exact opposite, because those who fast look at those who don’t, and think “Shame, they don’t have Ramadan”.<\/p>\n
Read other My Turn’s here:<\/p>\n
My Beurt: Annie van Zyl<\/a><\/p>\n