Ramadan: Being Grateful

RAMADAN:

BEING GRATEFUL

Ramadan is that time of the year again when our spiritual self takes more prominence. And as we are globally inching towards a better life and accepting the changes that have happened, clinical psychologist Jyotika Aggarwal reveals there is abundant opportunity for introspection and giving.

Applying the learnings

Sometimes, it is the hardest of events that teach us gratitude. The learnings from this phenomenon, if applied to our daily lives, could lead to innate happiness. A few ways to use these learnings are: Welcome unpredictability: We have seen that life can get unpredictable and hard irrespective of our actions. In our lives, think of the times we have spent planning and

the time spent in the rat race. Ask yourself, was any of this dogmatic planning able to undo the consequences of the pandemic? Instead, if we open ourselves to life’s unpredictability, we will be more prepared cognitively to manage setbacks and quickly come up with alternatives.

Authenticity: Let us feel gratitude for the revelations of our true needs. These few years have helped us see the difference between the things we want versus the things we think we need to be happy or successful. It has guided us to realize our ability to live with less things. This is a boon and will help us declutter our space and mind. Appreciate bonds: For many of us who were away from family, after a few weeks of space, from deep within we realized the importance of our connections and bonds with family. In fact, our bond with ourselves, our own confidence in our abilities and self was strengthened. Our resilience was tested, we hit rock bottom in some way, but we did not give up. We kept pushing ourselves forward and conquered. Accepting silver linings: Through these times, we were able to slow down our lives. Focus on things that really mattered, allowed ourselves to get back to our core self, and rediscover our self.

Advice

According to Aggarwal, maybe it would help during this season for us to capitalize Share the love: For family and friends, we can show thoughtfulness and love through gestures of love. Handmade gifts, lending an ear to listen to their problems, asking them where you can help and genuinely providing guidance for the same. One of the most precious gifts we can give someone is the gift of time. Nothing shows love like listening to someone non-judgmentally and accepting them for who they are.

The whole month can be enlightening by creating a harmonious balance between self-improvement and our care for others. For every day of Ramadan, chalk out a new holistic goal for yourself and work on it. Achieving these, will help you uncover different joys and a unique side to yourself. It would be gloriously beneficial if we could make these values and self-growth a part of our everyday life as well.H

on these teachings and add value to our lives. We would be less anxious, less depressed, lesser in the need for obsessive control and rather, fill our lives with peace, acceptance and readiness. When we think of Ramadan and spirituality, a part of it also involves, not just improving our own lives, it also involves spreading kindness and improving the lives of those around us. Two important ways to do this are:

See and support: Observe what is needed in the world today. Don’t just help for the validation of it. Take some time, help in a way that you truly believe will make a difference. Of course, some usual ways are in the form of donations, volunteering time at NGO’s, mentoring those who will benefit from our teaching, but make sure, you believe strongly in the positive effects of how you chose to help.