It is interesting to read the post "The Good, Bad, Unexpected" because although I just posted it I had written it last week. And even in a week my perceptions change.
It feels sort of like going through puberty again, when my feelings about my surroundings, or relationships to others, or self-image could change completely from day to day.
This past week I have been thinking a lot about Ramadhan. I have fasted every day; usually my family wakes around 3:30am to drink or eat a bit before the dawn prayer. I usually drink water. Then we break fast with dates, laban, and an assortment of fried goodies, (sambusas: triangular pockets of meat or potatoes, fried sugary dough balls, an African sweet fried puffy bread).
It has made me aware of how often I use food during the day for motivation or reward. Waking up without being able to drink water has been the hardest. I also feel differently towards my body; I realize that it really doesn't "need" as much as I am used to thinking it does. Not eating also means that I don't have to think about eating; I realize all the time and thought that goes into carrying food and water around, or feeling hungry and waiting for food, or having coffee at break as a way to survive the lesson: without all of these things, I have found that life seems simpler. Though of course I miss them, it is also refreshing to feel free of the psychological tugs that often revolve around food and drink, (far more strongly than actual body signals). It would be interesting to do a similar exercise in communal fasting for people that are trying to lose weight...it all has to do with supporting each other. This has probably already been done, I am sure, but if not...
And I love the satisfaction of finally eating together in the evenings.
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