"Just Me" (Obligatory Ramadan Post #5)

As Muslims, we believe that during the month of Ramadan the imps and demons and devils are chained thereby freeing us from having to struggle against them during this time of worship.  You can really feel it too.  I just feel lighter and freer than any other time.  This makes it easier to worship God without the useless distractions that seem to pop up unbidden at all other times.  No imps, demons, or devils also means "just you".

"Just you" or in this case, "just me", means that I have nothing and no one else to blame for being….uh….pissy, angry and impatient.  OK!  I get it.  I am impatient and I admit it with sincere repentant shame.  The great thing about "just me" is that right now, more than any other time, I am better able admit my faults in an honest way and I have an entire month to work on it.  If I can get into the practice of working on my failings for an entire month, I will hopefully be energized at the end, and be able to keep up the goodness for the rest of the year.

The truth is though, and any Muslim will attest, that this isn't the usual case.  We are all in such great spirits during Ramadan, making extra prayers, going to the mosque, doing good to others, reforming lost connections, being friendly, and generally trying to be the kind of person Allah really wants us to be.  The fact that the little monsters that lurk around in dark corners urging us to badness are released at the end of Ramadan, is no excuse for returning to old bad habits.  In fact, if one does, this is proof positive that they didn't learn a thing and that their worship must have been in some way lacking.

We can't be part-time do-gooders.  We shouldn't be anyway.

Ramadan, the blessings of this month and the fasting that we do is like training.  You learn to do without all of the non-essentials.  Being hungry and thirsty and holding your tongue from saying things you shouldn't, of turning your whole self toward God requires patience, and patience requires strength, strength requires determination, and determination requires faith.

If only Ramadan could last longer.  I can't speak for anyone else, but I'd be a better person if it did.