Fasting For Success

Yes you read that right. Fasting for Success! You might of heard of fasting for so many different reasons, fasting is a well-known practice in many religions and beliefs. Many people practice fasting as an obligation while others practice it for the health benefits and to detox the body. And some to purify the soul. Whatever the reasons might be many people are willing and are able to take a step towards change they are willing to give up a daily routine and practice a new habit and do something different in hope of new results a change in their weight, their thoughts, or their soul. The good thing is that those same people who reject the change, those that we think are stuck and are hopeless cases do make the change when they have a purpose and the reasons are right for them.

The reason I am discussing this topic is because the Muslim world just completed thirty days of fasting for around 12-15 hours no water or food and that is done every day for thirty days by millions of Muslims around the world. Beyond refraining from food many lessons are learned and practiced during the thirty days. I will discuss the discipline process and how that can affect us as entrepreneurs. I thought it is interesting to shed light on the reasons Muslim people fast and the change they go through for thirty days each year in the month of Ramadan. fasting is more than refraining from food and drink. Fasting also includes refraining from any falsehood in speech and action, avoiding ignorant, indecent speech, arguing, and fighting. During fasting many do their best to strengthen control of impulses and develop good behavior. During Ramadan, it becomes a goal for many believers to purify body and soul and increase their good deeds . They have a goal to harmonize their inner and outer spheres. Reducing food intake and maintaining a healthier lifestyle is also one of the goals reminding us that healthy minds are in healthy bodies but also healthy souls are in healthy bodies. Overindulgence in food is discouraged. However that is not the case for many sadly to say since many can’t wait to eat a big meal after a long day of fasting. On the other hand not eating for the whole day doesn’t stop those who are fasting from attending to all their commitments and never falling short of any duty. On a moral level showing compassion, generosity and mercy to others, and exercise of patience is part of the discipline process. In essence, Muslims are trying to improve what they believe to be good moral character and habits. Not only that but also fasting may teach a sense of solidarity, by feeling and experiencing what the needy and hungry brothers and sisters are feeling. Ramadan is a month of giving charity and sharing meals. All the Muslim believers do their best to practice patience and self-control, and they keep in mind the less fortunate in the world. Fasting is believed to be beneficial for personal conduct, that is, to help control impulses, passions and temper. The fast is also meant to provide time for meditation and to strengthen one’s faith. The month of fasting just ended Muslims celebrated their success in completing a commitment of good deeds of building a closer relation with God of fasting from food and all temptations from all bad habits, they celebrate their success in building new habits. The celebration ends and some proudly take their practice of good discipline and apply it to their daily life, while others relapse to the bad old habits.

As you see fasting is a discipline of avoiding thoughts and actions that might be hindering you from reaching your goals, fasting is also a discipline that helps you replace old habits with new ones that will accelerate your reach to your goals. I actually heard a success trainer talking about a thirty day fast to help business owners to focus on creating results by avoiding all the distractions to their thought and by building new habits that support successful thoughts and results. As an entrepreneur you might know what to do and you might also know how to do it but something prevents you from reaching your goals and that is the belief system fasting for success will help you focus on creating the results you want. I listened to a recommendation from Mr. J. Clark to entrepreneurs suggesting a thirty day fast from all negative things and it is just for thirty days.

The recommendations included the following:

• Avoid TV for thirty days

• Replace the radio with motivational recordings

• Substitute the newspaper with a self-development book

• Associate with positive successful people as much as you can every day

• Exercise

• Drink plenty of water

• Take 15 minute a day to reflect and meditate.

You see it takes more that knowledge and skill to be successful, it requires a lot of discipline, self-control, positive thoughts and positive actions. So if you are aiming for faster success, you might want to consider Fasting For Success.

Wishing You Health Wealth and Happiness,

Salsabila

Salsabila for the Obtainer

September issue

September 7, 2012