Ramadan inspires us to be better human beings in various ways. Charity, kindness and self-restraint are focused on during Ramadan and it is very important to take it forward through your Eid resolutions. After all, it is not about one month, but who we become after it that counts.
Here are nine ideas to inspire your post-Ramadan resolutions.
1. Charity
Charity begins at home as they say and should be year-round, not just for one month. It is not only about giving when you have extra. It is about understanding our responsibility to other human lives in the world.
Giving, in whatever small amount, is a great way to help a less fortunate person. Ramadan teaches you to be kind and charitable, not just for a month, but for as long as you live.
2. Self-Restraint
Ramadan, as a month of fasting and restraint, teaches us the importance of self-restraint. Take a resolution to practice this control in all aspects of life. Put needs over wants in terms of food and money.
This restraint will help you realize the importance of how blessed we are in comparison to others who don’t have enough for their basic needs, and also help you have better control over yourself and your life
3. Sponsor a child
Sponsoring a child involves being financially responsible for his or her educational expenses, sometimes extending to include living expenses too. The payment involved in such programs are in yearly, half yearly or monthly installments of small amounts.
Almost all sponsorship programs give you periodic school progress reports and other details about the child. Some programs also allow you to be in contact with your sponsored child.
4. All or nothing
The essence of Ramadan is trying to be the best version of yourself whether it’s at work or at home. Take this forward this Eid by striving to be your best always. When fasting ends, keep your efforts up to maximum productivity and 100 per cent commitment to your work and family.
5. Fast one day in a month
Rekindle the spirit of Ramadan once a month by selecting one day to fast. It will refresh your mind and body. You can have water, but abstain from food. End your fast in as healthily a way as possible.
Meditate; spend time in positive introspection and take the day slow. This will help refresh your mind and help you de-stress while detoxing your body.
6. Tolerance
The spiritual element of Ramadan automatically instills a positive feeling, which permeates all our activities. Even people who don’t fast seem to take the extra effort to be positive, polite and tolerant. Carry this forward this Eid and strive to be understanding and tolerant of people or events around you.
Be ready to listen and learn as much as you can. Be open-minded to ideas, even if they make no sense to you at first. Tolerance only comes through understanding and acceptance of things that are new or different.
7. Eat less meat
As responsible human beings, we should avoid taking lives just because we like eating meat. We have so many options available to us, yet we seem unable to control our appetite for meat.
Regardless of your culture or normal eating patterns, eating less meat is easy to bring about and healthier for you. For a start, restrict yourselves to just one or two non-vegetarian meals in a week.
8. Stop smoking (If you are a smoker)
Take a resolution to be responsible for your own health and quit smoking. Make small changes such as avoiding or restricting daily smoking opportunities with colleagues and avoid buying cigarettes.
Challenge yourself, because the need to smoke should not control you.
9. Volunteer once a month
Volunteer for a cause close to your heart once a month. Find a cause you feel passionate about and do adequate research on the organization before registering as a volunteer.
