Resisting Temptation

Yesterday marked the first of the month of Ramadan in the Islamic Calendar. During this month, Muslims fast from sun up to sun down, with no food or water intake during that time. I really consider this month to be one of enlightenment, a way to be closer to God, to practice the art of self-restraint, and to purify the soul. On the whole, I think this one month out of the whole year, puts things into perspective for me, like a smack across the head reminding me to stop taking things for granted, and to start appreciating the little things in life.

Temptation is perhaps our greatest weakness as humans. We are always tempted to do one thing or another, knowing that we shouldn't, but unable to resist. As Oscar Wilde once said:

"I can resist everything except temptation."

I think fasting allows us to resist that temptation, to practice self-control, and perhaps to give our minds a fresh start. But I think what we all fail to understand this self control is not meant for only that one day of fasting, but rather the whole year. The patience, serenity, and purity that you immerse yourself into this month should continue on in the following ones and become a sort of principle in life.

Now, ask me in a year's time, if I have gained even an ounce of patience in my impatient mind, heart, and soul.

Why Blogging?

I would like to first confess that this in fact is my first blog, and I really am clueless as to what I am doing and why I'm doing it. I find myself doing things way after everyone has already done them, whether its facebooking or blogging, or whatever new deal they come up with next. I usually don't like being part of things when the craze is still at its peak. I like waiting until things settle down and then jumping on the train. Perhaps I'm just plain weird, but then who isn't.

Anyways, I think that this is the worst time that I could have picked to start a blog because my classes start tomorrow. And its usually not a great idea to be addicted to something right at the beginning of the semester. Having said that, I will admit that I am loving this!

Inside The Name

I think that all those who come across this blog will wonder why it is called The Morning Star, and therefore perhaps it is my duty to explain the name.

The Morning Star holds several interpretations, all originating from different times and different places. The Morning Star refers to the planet Venus, when it appears in the East before Sunrise. Quite ironically, in Christianity, The Morning Star is another name for Lucifer, the devil, the fallen angel.

However, my interpretation of The Morning Star comes from the Quran, which mentions a star of piercing brightness, a night comer, one that shines brilliantly in the dark skies. This star, better known as The Morning Star, shines with great intensity, illuminating the darkness on Earth. And although the star brings light to many and promises the advent of dawn, it is very short-lived and disappears quickly.

So, through the darkest nights, comes the penetrating light of a glorious star, illuminating the darkness.