 |
| (Photo by Ahmed Rabea) |
When work begins to assume the top priority in life, it’s time for a Ramadan rehaul.
Workaholics, however, are often so caught up in their work that they fail to realize the extent of this worldly addiction.
Workaholics Anonymous has therefore published a 20-question quiz - How Do I Know If I’m a Workaholic? - to assist people in becoming more aware of the symptoms of this spiritual cancer. This quiz includes questions such as the following: Do you get more excited about your work than about family or anything else? Are you afraid that if you don’t work hard you will lose your job or be a failure? Do you believe that more money will solve the other problems in your life?
Ramadan provides an ideal time frame for challenging the unhealthy (and even unholy) habits of workaholism. In Abu Dhabi, for example, the Ministry of Labor imposes strict penalties on companies that do not provide shorter Ramadan work days for their employees. Gulfnews.com reports that this balanced approach not only includes a two-hour reduction of the standard work day, but also restrictions on midday outdoor work. This is because Ramadan is not only a time for food-related fasting, but it is also a time for reducing other worldly excesses.
Ramadan is a time for replacing these worldly addictions with healthful practices. Excessive food and work can be replaced with balanced meals (high in fiber and nutritive foods), appropriately-scheduled hydration, prayer, Qur’an reading, introspection, uplifting socializing, and charity. If Ramadan is approached in this type of an overall healthful manner, then amazingly good things can occur.
Ameinfo.com presents this quote from Dubai-based German psychiatrist, Dr. Arne Brosig: This is my first
experience of Ramadan, having only opened doors in Dubai this year, but I have observed a distinct upturn in the psychological wellbeing of patients as they spend more time with their own thoughts and their family members. It’s also well documented in medical science that time spent praying or meditating can often help improve overall mental conditions.
Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/employment/ramadan-work-times-must-be-reduced-by-two-hours-1.846289
http://www.fashioncentral.pk/blog/2010/09/05/how-to-manage-stress-during-ramadan/
http://www.ameinfo.com/168967.html
http://www.workaholics-anonymous.org/page.php?page=knowing
Copyright August 2, 2011 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment