Rory has written a great post about fasting. You should read it. Last year, I went to his flat most mornings to eat breakfast and say prayers with several others. I found it difficult to get up before sunrise, and making promises to be there, bearing food, was pretty much the only thing motivating me to get up in the morning. I really enjoyed being with the people, and there was something very special about being out and about before dawn. This year, my sole motivation is the love of God, and I’ve totally kept the fast so far. (last year I ate some toffee waffles one day.) I’ve proved a lot to myself.

I’m finding the fast physically less difficult and spiritually more rewarding as it’s going on. My breakfasts are getting smaller, my dinners less punctual, my stomach less rumbly, and I’m happier in the middle. I had been worried about starting term during the fast, but it’s actually been quite a blessing, because it means I’m always up and relatively fresh and on-the-ball for my 8am classes. One thing I really like about the fast is how it seems to bring people together. All Bahá’ís everywhere are doing it, which is an amazing thought. I have a word clock on my phone, and every now and then I look at it and see where in the world people are getting up for their breakfast, and where in the world people are breaking the fast. Whenever my facebook status has been a little negative, I’ve received several supportive messages from people.

These last few nights, people in the dorm have been quite noisy and I’ve not been able to get to sleep until really late, and by this morning I was pretty tired and frustrated because of it, as well as having a sore throat, but when I flipped open my prayer book, I was met with the words:

“Be patient under all conditions, and put your whole trust and confidence in God.” - Bahá’u'lláh

What can I say? They don’t call Him the All-knowing and the All-wise for nothing.