purpose.

there is a larger purpose, one that you may or may not be aware of, behind why this month demands what it does of you.

this post stems from this general, excuse my harsh tone but, whiny-ness of how hard this month is, and how people wish life would just stop in order to make it to easy on them. while i understand how taxing fasting can be in a country and climate like ours, i must say this. that is the very purpose of this exercise.

we're put in this situation so we know exactly what its like.

so it bothers me a great deal when i see statuses dedicated to the great sacrifices people are making, in order to observe the month. it bothers me when people want to have everything tailored to their needs on the sole basis that 'im fasting'. no man. thats exactly the point. you live life just as you would, with this added 'burden' if you will, to show you just the point. that this month is meant to ignite in the greater sense and humility of what thousands and millions go through on a non-ramazan basis. we have the good luck and fortune of going to a home, and eating and filling our tummies to the brim (okay yes, the ones that are away from home, i know, but common, perspective). it really upsets me when i see people who think about the awesome things they're going to have and talk all day about all the stuff they're craving. not to be holier than thou, i do it too, but occassionally is one thing, to constantly talk about it like you're the most deprived person is another. there are tons of people that go about in daily lives not knowing if they would be able to end the day alive, if they can piece together two morsels of food, etc. 

i remember when i was 11, we were in bombay for a month because renovations were taking place at our bombay house and ramazan hit. the help that had been contracted was entirely muslim, and despite doing gruelling physically demanding work day in and day out, they were ALL still fasting. thats one image i repeatedly play in my mind whenever i see people whining about how they have to starve and how hard it is to do stuff. i know we take hits. its hard to concentrate, youre sleepy most of the time and you wish that you didnt have as demanding as a schedule as you do. but think about it. think about why you're being asked to. so many people i know actually partake in this not because of any other reason, but because they feel that going on a diet would do them good. its just... sad.

so the next time, dear fasting friend, consider the purpose of the journey youre undertaking for this month. its only a month long. think about why you're doing this. and while you're at it, lets all swear a little less. yes?