Salam everyone. My fasting is going good so far, alhamdulillah, but Im really sleepy all day, and then my iftar coffee is keeping me up at night! How is your fasting going?

I'm loving all the iftar meetups at restaurants with my friends, and Im realizing how much I have to gain from fasting.

Penance- I have committed hundreds of sins this year, gotta pay for it somehow.

Discipline- I could use some. It brings my day in order. All those hours not wasted on preparing and eating food are put to good use.

Patience- Sabr. Im an extremely impatient person. I push the elevator button at least 5 times. The patience part really kicks in the final 15 minute countdown to iftar.

Compassion- I was out shopping and my friend who wasnt fasting had to grab some lunch. It took much restraint for me to actually sit in a cafe and have nothing. I much needed to be reminded of all those people in the world who see food right in front of their eyes and cannot so much as touch it. But I know that in a few hours I can eat my heart out.

Appreciation- You gotta deny yourself something, or lose it before you can really appreciate it.

Good Health- Assuming I dont pig out at iftar (and I dont do sehr) this makes for a great diet.

Moderation- Of course we're not supposed to pig out.

and most importantly,

Ibadat- It turns out we were put on this Earth to worship and show subservience to God. I need to pray more. And I can do a lot of dua for my loved ones, for all the muslims in the world, for all my girlfriends who need to get married, inshallah to an 'Ibn Halal' (a loving and shareef husband), and for my friend whose sister has a terrible illness. The nights of Laylatul Qadr are the best time to beseech God for his mercy.

Plus, it gives me an oppurtunity to tell people I'm muslim.

Inshallah, all of you will be bestowed with the Barkat of this month, when the gates of heaven are wide open.