Friday 26 May 2017

The Healing of Ramadan

I haven’t been blogging much recently, feeling exhausted and unwell, I assumed it was just the demands of work, home, family and guests. I thought I just needed rest and that I would be back to my old self. I could see a difference in the mirror, I looked haggard and I wondered if the magic of youth was subsiding and I was starting to look my age. I veered between acceptance and denial, sometimes thinking I should accept the ageing process with grace and self-respect and sometimes thinking I would have liked a few more years of looking younger than my age and having endless energy.

Eventually the nausea kicked in and I went to see my doctor and got a diagnosis. In the past I have become unwell and just assumed I need to lose weight, get fit or stop being lazy, until the doctor found otherwise. I am not very good at listening to my body and treating it with the gentleness and care it deserves. This time round again, I had a problem and needed treatment which I finally got round to having. I am slowly starting to feel like myself again, but the treatment has left me feeling weak and tiring easily. I have been advised not to exercise for a month and to let my body heal with lots of rest and nutritious food. I took a few days off of work and going back should have been easy but the first day left me sore and shattered. 

As always when life gets challenging, I have gone back to basics. I have been concentrating on the gentle routine of my home – cooking, cleaning and minding cheeky children. I have been doing things slowly, taking naps when I need them and leaving things undone when I am tired. Little Lady has realised that I have been unwell and has been protective and tried to help me as much as she can, including by rounding up and scolding babies.

Tomorrow is the first day of Ramadan. In preparation I have given up coffee and stocked my kitchen with fresh fruit and vegetables. As with the last two years I hope to share healthy meals with my family and take advantage of the midday sunnah nap, the qaylulah. Alhamdulillah, we fast for the pleasure of Allah (SWT) and because it is his command, buy this month always does me so much good – a refresh for my faith and also my body. So I welcome this opportunity during Ramadan to reset the dials of my iman, my health, my intentions and my routine.

May our deeds be with the correct intentions, to please Allah (SWT), and may he be pleased and accepting of our deeds insh’Allah.



3 comments:

  1. May Allah swt bless you with good health and happiness! Ameen

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  2. Assalamualaikum dear sister. I pray Allah will ease your burden and gives you syifa'. In shaa Allah. Love from Malaysia

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  3. Assalamualaikum dear sister. I pray Allah will ease your burden and gives you syifa'. In shaa Allah. Love from Malaysia

    ReplyDelete