Ramadan Kareem! Here are a few things we would like to work on.
Ramadan is such a special time of the year for us. It gives us the opportunity to be reminded of our spiritual faith and allows us to develop some empathy towards those who are less fortunate. It’s a great time to cleanse the soul and work on some habits that could be implemented into our every day lifestyle. This year, we created a list of goals that we would like to work on this month, and while we are always thankful for the blessings we have, everybody could use some self-improvement.
Spend some time getting to know yourself. Be cautious of your behavior and actions. Sometimes life gets so busy that we forget to spend some time alone.
We’re all guilty of thinking negatively in some form. Whether it’s about yourself or others, or even about a situation. This month is a good time to put those thoughts aside and focus on the silver lining in everything.
Praying is the most important thing you can do in Ramadan. You should make prayer for yourself, spouse, family, and anyone else in your life. The purpose of this is to simply connect with God through His revelation during this time. Try and attend Tarawih prayers as well. These are considered extra prayers that one can only commit during this holy month, and whoever prays during the nights of tarawih with a firm belief and hoping for reward will have their previous sins forgiven.
Spend about five minutes everyday opening the Quran and learning new surahs (verses) that you’re unfamiliar with. Set a certain number of verses for yourself and aim to achieve that number or beyond by the 30th day. Start with the small ones.
Generosity is a key characteristic in Ramadan. There are so many great fundraisers and causes to choose from. If there’s a philanthropy that’s near and dear to your heart, put an amount of your choosing aside to give back. Every year, I join LaunchGood in donating an amount every day of the month. The great thing about their program is that each day, your money will go to help different causes anywhere around the world.
Treat this as a form of self-discipline. Refrain from listening to others speak foul, and avoid using profanity in your conversations.
If you’re recovering from a wound that hasn’t been mended, it’s the perfect time to let go and let God handle it. If you find it challenging to forgive everyone in your life, aim to forgive at least three people that you’ve conflicted with in the past. Forgiveness is great for the body and soul, and you’ll feel eternally free after you do so.
