By Shazad

"Fasting is the first principle of medicine; fast and see the strength of the spirit reveal itself. " + Rumi

The holy month of Ramadhan has started and practicing Muslims everywhere have been fasting for a few days now. This blessed month and this ancient practice reminds us to focus on what is important, what really matters and what sacrifice feels like.

In a typical day, we are usually going so fast and trying to get so much done that we forget to pay attention to living. By observing fasting during Ramadhan and periodically throughout the year, we can stop and reflect at different times of the day. We get a chance to withdraw from all unnecessary things to focus on the essentials. Every time I experience Ramadhan, I feel stronger and more self aware. I often feel that I can do anything I put my focus on because I've seen how capable I am after giving up food and drink for many hours each day.

There are physical and spiritual benefits to Fasting as you can imagine. There are also mental benefits to withdrawing from the constant buzz and chatter of the world. It let's me listen to my inner voice and it can do the same for you without having to become a hermit or shunning modern technology.

3 Exercises to Consider:

1. Make a list of your daily activities during weekdays and weekends so you know how you currently spend your time.

2. How many things on your list are things you must do vs. what others tell you should be doing? Spend at least one week just focussed on doing the things that you must do and give up everything else. What things are just entertainment or time waisting things that you don't really enjoy?

3. Rate how your experience on how you feel after doing just the necessary things and refine your daily tasks so that is how you spend your days from now on.