Probably one of the most important things I saw for myself was that if I don't love and demand more for myself first, nobody else will. I'm a nurturer by nature. I've spent most of my life taking care of my friends and family whenever they need me (or don't need me). I'm the one the majority of my friends and family come to for advice or when they just need someone to listen. Somehow, in the middle of all that, I lost a part of me. I started to see that it's hard for me to say "no." or "that's not alright." or the most important one, "enough." I started to see how everyone was benefiting from me, but I was not allowing me to benefit from myself. Don't get me wrong...I love all my friends and family and would do anything for them. 

Where it gets interesting is where I have seen how the way I've been has hurt me when it comes to my romantic relationships. I've seen that I have put up with way too much for way too long....all because I wanted to give someone the benefit of the doubt. What I got instead was taken for granted. The last week of Ramadan, I had this overwhelming feeling to shed this old layer I was carrying around. I could feel myself somehow being lifted upward...above all that wasn't working in my life, and I felt this old layer peeling off of me so that the new one could emerge. It was a very peaceful, freeing feeling that I will not soon forget. 

Now that a new layer has emerged, it's sensitive on the one hand, but it's much stronger on the other. I find myself not taking crap--from anyone. And, it feels great. I'm starting to speak my truth more and more, and in the process I'm starting to feel empowered again. I'm starting to feel the "old me" return...the one that could find peace and happiness in the simplicity of life and in the possibility of what could be because of what I, myself, could create.

Saying el hamdulillah (thank God) and meaning it is another gift I received during Ramadan. It's more than a blessing to be able to accept all that life brings knowing that there's a bigger plan for me. I may not know the reasons right away, but I find comfort in the fact that it will all work out for the best at one point or another.

The last week of Ramadan, especially, there was so much going on. Friends of mine were suffering in their relationships, I was suffering inside myself on a few things, and just through praying and asking Allah to guide me and those I care about to what's best, I saw such beautiful things occur. Lovers reconciliated, I saw me standing up for myself in ways I've never done before, and I felt the warmth of what this month is all about. 

At the Eid prayer, I was moved to tears when the whole mosque came together to pray to Allah and thank Him for all what we have. The imam gave such a touching sermon that half the members in the mosque were in tears. It was such a joyous day to end what has been a beautiful and reflective month.

Thanks to those of you who supported me during this holy time of the year. It means more than you will ever know. I'm thankful for my new gifts, and I'm excited to see what this next year will bring.  

Eid Mubarek and may you all experience the very best always......