Ramadan is actually our yearly lockdown in a way, so as we have all united around the world, regardless of faith, colour or background, going through similar experiences and limitations; it’s quite poignant to share why Ramadan is such a special and blessed month to us Muslims. 

Ramadan for us, is much more than just about fasting and forgoing water and food during the sunlight hours. It’s about becoming closer to the merits of our religion, feeling spiritual and cutting all the unnecessary baggage and clutter from our lives. It’s also equally important for us to fast from the eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet and all parts of the body, inside and out. 

Fast with our eyes so we look away from impure things but equally don’t look at others with scrutiny or judgement or simply look down on people. Fast with our ears, refraining from listening to gossip, rumours and harsh words that could hurt others. Fast with our mouths to refrain from saying harmful things, talking down to others and feeling superior, loosing one’s cool or causing hurt to others. Fasting with our hands and feet to refrain from using them to hurt others or do wrong actions, but instead use them to walking a mile and do selfless acts of goodness for others and hold out our hands to help. Fasting through our souls to show the real positive characteristics of human beings; being nice, smiling at others, having only good things to say about others, being charitable, being honest and fair, being thoughtful to name but a few. This is how we should all try and be everyday of the year and not just during this blessed month. 

Lockdown has taught us a lot. We all need to feel blessed for what we truly have, not for all the trappings of this world that we have to do without right now or forgo. To be honest what we have really learnt is that we really don’t need half that stuff anyways. What’s really important is family, friends and health, bottom line. We’ve really missed the hugs, the smiles and company of family and friends and the simple things in life. How have we got to such a complicated way of living ... whilst the effects of Coronavirus on the lives that it has taken is terrible and without doubt a tragedy; we should all feel blessed that lessons learnt in these unprecedented times is a great way to look at ourselves and perhaps seek to change the way we are? Let's ease up on thinking primarily about ourselves and spare a thought for others, especially those who don’t have what we do. It’s time we reflect on over consumption and the damages it’s causing to our planet. It’s time to reflect on the wastage we have grown accustomed to. It’s time to reflect on giving instead of taking. It’s time to change. 

So, post lockdown let’s really truly appreciate what we have and not focus on what we don’t have. That’s essentially the lessons that Ramadan gives us each year too. 

Anyways for those still reading ! .... Thankyou for “Just Giving” me a moment of your time ... you’ll see the link in a minute 😜. 

We always reflect during Ramadan, when we give up food and water and other things during the month, that many many people around the world don’t just give up these things during the prescribed hours, like us. They do without all year round  We are blessed that we get to eat at all. We are blessed we have water flowing in abundance through our taps. We are blessed with the roofs over our heads, protecting us from the elements. 

We also all challenge ourselves during the month of Ramadan, especially to pray more and be more charitable and much to the annoyance of my dearest Papa, who always says I overdo it; I always like to challenge myself to keep life as normal as possible and not make excuses for the lack of water or food.  BUT this year I decided to push it a bit further. I set myself the challenge of running each night before iftar a distance of 5km. Some poor children around the world have to walk that far, or more, to get clean water, so surely I can manage that ?! So, that was the aim - running 150km during the month. Hmmm now it seems big, when you say it like that! I told myself if I get that done, then I’ll ask my dearest closest family and friends to dig deep and support a charitable cause close to my heart. 

So guess what ? I did it ! Every day, for the last 30 days I have run 5k and you know what means, well aside from the tired legs ... yes, here’s the link .. please help me make a small difference to some children who through no fault of their own have very little in life and a small donation can make a huge difference. 

Thanks from the bottom of my heart for all you can spare. Love you all. x

Im fundraising for Penny Appeals OrphanKind appeal because every child deserves the chance to have a childhood, and the opportunity to build a brighter future. Penny Appeal are caring for thousands of orphaned children, making sure they have nutritious meals, clothes, healthcare, an education and a dedicated guardian all in a loving and caring home.Im fundraising for Penny Appeals OrphanKind appeal because every child deserves the chance to have a childhood, and the opportunity to build a brighter future. Penny Appeal are caring for thousands of orphaned children, making sure they have nutritious meals, clothes, healthcare, an education and a dedicated guardian all in a loving and caring home.For just £15, you could support an orphan for a whole month.£100 could help Penny Appeal build a new Orphan Home for hundreds of the most vulnerable children in the world. It would mean so much to me if you would join me, and help these precious children get all the love and care