As the Sun Goes Down

When I was still in Dubai, I tried several times to fast during the Holy Month of Ramadan; however, I always failed after the first day then I never tried again.

Last year when I arrived here in the Maldives it was mid-Ramadan already and I was still adjusting with the lifestyle so I didn’t even think about fasting. But this time, I thought I’d give it a try.

For those who do not know what Ramadan is, this is the Holy Month in which Muslims fast for 30 days – they don’t eat and drink from dawn until dusk.

Though I am not a Muslim, I am fasting and you might be wondering why. I have my personal reasons for doing so. I wanted to fast because I wanted to pray for something and I hope that I will be heard.  The only reason that I am doing this during this month and not any other month is because it will be easier for me to fast while almost everyone else is doing it.

And since this is my first time (to survive the first day and continue for several days), I am quite excited with the experience.

On the first day of Ramadan, I woke up at 04:30am to drink water and eat what they call Suhour or ‘pre-dawn meal’ which will help me last through the day, until the ‘breaking of fast.’

That day was a struggle. More than the hunger, it was the thirst that made me almost want to give up. As the sun went down, I broke my fast with cold orange juice and that wasn’t a good idea. A few hours after eating my Iftar or ‘the meal eaten after sunset,’ I threw up everything.  I really guess that’s because of the orange juice, but it could also be my body, adjusting to the practice.

The second day was a bit better for me, I felt like my body has adjusted already. However, I had to stop the next day and I was not able to fast for four days due to my period, as women are not allowed to fast during this time.

After four days, I started fasting again and I felt like I’m back to square one. I felt dizzy and in a trance most of the time. I cannot concentrate at work and I made several mistakes on my emails. But today it was easier and it feels just like a normal day – just without the food and drinks.

Though I have just fasted for several days, I found beauty in this practice. It made me appreciate more the food that is served on the table. It made me feel so blessed and thankful to have something to eat by the end of the day.  It made me pray more as well.

It also made me stop the small vices, like coffee, chocolates, chips and all the unhealthy stuff.

Recently, I was also in a calm and meditative state of mind. I have always struggled with my emotions and I always get mad easily and this is quite a challenge but I feel like I’m doing well.

Something wonderful happened too, and though I feel that it might just be a coincidence, I feel that it is a blessing. If you have read my post about not feeling well recently, I did have fever and cold until the day before Ramadan. But I prayed that if I will be well the next day, I will fast. And it happened.

This beautiful experience is new to me and every day as the sun goes down, I pray and thank Him for the blessings and I pray that He continues to bless you and me even more.

35 responses to “As the Sun Goes Down”

  1. Get the best stuff from any religion. I like Buddhism myself.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yeah. Someone told me that even if I fast, as long as I am not a Muslim, I won’t get the blessing. But i think, we all pray to the same God, so regardless of our religion….

      Liked by 2 people

      1. With Christianity, if you’re not Christian, you won’t go to heaven. That’s the fundamental belief. lol

        Though, actually I wasn’t taught that. It all depends on how one lives. No matter how much one prays, if there’s no compassion for a fellow human being, one does not go to heaven.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. That’s true…so like what you said, take the best stuff from any religion 🙂

          Like

  2. The Romantic Alpha Avatar
    The Romantic Alpha

    naks. na-enlighten dahil sa gutom…

    pero ang galing ano, natututo ka ng self control, yung IKAW mismo yung incharge at hindi yung cravings mo be it sa pagkain o indulgence sa ibang bagay. naunahan mo kong isulat ang tungkol sa gutom (hahaha) pero well said…

    may isang tumatanda narin gaya ko…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Kakaiba ang experience brad…baka bago ako makaalis dito eh monk nako LOL….

      Grabe yung control brad…nung umpisa para kong adik na naghahanap ng kape hahaha…

      Asus…matanda naman na talaga ako brad hahaha

      Liked by 1 person

      1. The Romantic Alpha Avatar
        The Romantic Alpha

        ayos lang magpakamongha brad. wag lang na ayaw mo naring magka-anak at magtatampo asawa mo sayo haha

        at least matandang may pinagkatandaan. marami kasi tumanda lang sa edad 😀

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Ha ha ha hindi naman ganun brad 😂😂😂😂

          Haha o kaya tumanda lang yung mukha?

          Liked by 1 person

          1. The Romantic Alpha Avatar
            The Romantic Alpha

            hehe oo brad. blessing din kaya yung pati insights mo sa buhay e tumatanda rin

            Liked by 1 person

          2. Ha ha ha grabe

            Liked by 1 person

          3. The Romantic Alpha Avatar
            The Romantic Alpha

            grabe ang alin? hahaha antagal kong inisip di ako nakasunod

            Like

          4. Grabe ung insights na tumatanda…ramdam na ramdam ko na tuloy hahahah…signs of ageing lol

            Liked by 1 person

          5. The Romantic Alpha Avatar
            The Romantic Alpha

            graceful ageing lang yan brad. kumbaga e parang si Gwyneth Paltrow sa inyong mga ladies tapos parang George Clooney para samin, 😉

            Liked by 1 person

          6. Hahahahahaha natawa ako kay Gwyneth Paltrow at George Clooney…bigla tuloy nagplay sa utak ko ang kanta nila Gwyneth na…🎵you’re gonna fly away, glad you’re going my way, i love it when we’re cruising together 🎶

            Liked by 1 person

          7. The Romantic Alpha Avatar
            The Romantic Alpha

            kakatakot naman yung fly away hahahah

            Liked by 1 person

  3. Beautiful :), You sound like a person with an awaken spirit, may you never lose that 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you sister 🙂

      Like

  4. this is beautifully expressed, and fasting have lots really good health benefits too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Ashiya, thanks! Yes, fasting is healthy too 🙂

      Like

  5. oh wow! your blog is just a fantastic place))
    love the pics! do you use any app to edit them? or are they just that gorg on their own?

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Usually on the third day, nag-a-adapt na yung katawan mo sa practice. Naisip ko na rin sabayan sila mag-fast, kaso ayun, hanggang isip nalang. haha! Ilang araw nalang..Keep it up! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Mahirap dyan magfasting Ji kasi mainit…ilangbeses nako nagtry….1st day pa lang suko nako hahahah…after 2 to 3 days naka adapt na katawan ko pero yung utak hindi kaagad hahaha para kong lutang lalo na walang caffeine sa dugo

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ang init pa rin dito till now!! Haha What to do??

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Palamig ka naman madam 😂😂😂

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Penge ice hahaha

            Liked by 1 person

          2. Hahahah 🍧🍧🍧

            Liked by 1 person

  7. Wow!!
    I’m so much amazed as someone, who isn’t a Muslim, is fasting for more than just one day. Can I provide some tips, in case if you decide to fast next year?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Please! Your tips will be more than welcome. I am still fasting 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Oh great!
        Okay here they are:
        1. Avoid fried items during sahoor time.
        2. Open your fast with water and light snacks. For the next 2-3 hours, just drink water. Eat dinner if you want to then.
        3. Dates are best meal for sahoor and iftar, the time when we open our fast.
        4. Avoid heavy meals during sahoor and iftar, you won’t be able to do anything especially after opening your fast if you fill up your belly with junk food.
        5. A nap in afternoon is a good idea if you can manage it.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Wow thanks Hammad. I actually dont eat during Suhour…I only drink water because I am too sleepy. I dont nap in the afternoon but I make sure to have complete sleep in the night because its very hard to work when I am sleepy…. I usually eat dates and water for iftar…then after an hour i eat chappati and omelet 😂😂😂

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Forgot to mention one thing, fruits and vegetables. Make sure these are part of your meal.

            Liked by 1 person

          2. Thanks Hammad, I will surely include fruits and veggies on my meals 🙂

            Liked by 1 person

  8. […] one of my previous posts, I mentioned about my struggle on my first few days of fasting. And now that Ramadan is over, I am […]

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