By: Ranim Elgabakhngi
Fasting is like a quiet meeting point of faith, self-care, and tradition. Whoever embraces its pulse – whether spiritually or physically – it is demanding something genuine. At times, when we live closely with a fasting person, our actions are more significant than we imagine.
One doesn’t get to show respect by making huge gestures but by small changes – saying less, quietly understanding. Being considerate goes a long way in helping them bear the load; on the other hand, being inconsiderate adds stress even if it is not seen. Our behavior towards them determines the environment they experience at this time.
Avoid Lengthy Conversations
Fatigue generally increases during the day in fasting persons. Conversations can take a lot of their scarce energy. Simple conversations are still efficient – even a small greeting or a quick comment can be a way to show your concern. Lightgoing contact, i.e., talking without getting to anything serious, helps prevent stress.
Refrain From Eating Nearby
The fresh smells and seeing the food tend to increase hunger, so it becomes even harder to resist when you are without food. Seeing a person eat when you are not eating may be a kind of non-verbal message telling them you don’t really agree with the choice they’ve made. Sometimes a little break to a different room will be enough to solve the trouble if a person nearby is not fasting. Changing habits by eating away from people who are fasting shows that you have understood the situation and appreciate their efforts.
Offer Quiet Support
A small but well-timed word can have a big impact, however, it has to sound sincere, not made up. Recognizing their work silently – without a big show – gives them confidence and still, it keeps the bar low. Probing questions into feelings might reveal something the person would rather keep to themselves. Giving a person an idea that help is there for them, if they want it, and then moving away, most of the time is more valuable than those who are continuously checking. After an offer, the silence is more expressive than the repeated questioning.
Plan Activities Thoughtfully
Meals-centered events may give a feeling of being left out or awkward to those who are fasting. Why not you try to come up with things that do not revolve around food – especially if you are going to be out during daylight hours. It is so much easier to include when you know that someone is fasting. When people get to know such things regarding what will and what will not be there during the social activity, their participation rate is bound to change.
The most important element of a person’s fasting is to be able to see the world through that person’s eyes, refrain from doing things that may bother them. Small changes in our behavior express our recognition of their self-control, thus promoting mutual understanding. It is through very simple acts that a person is supposed to be given the freedom of his/her private life without the feeling that it has been violated – such is the evidence that kindness is very often the conscious recognition of the persons in an attempt to hide their struggles from the routine moments.
