Just as each ritual prayer puts the day on hold for a moment and reorients me, events like birthdays, anniversaries, and new year’s morning make me pause and re-evaluate my life.

A week into 2008 and on the eve of Muharram (the Islamic new year) is as good a time as any to share those reflections.

Mondo Beyondo 2008 Part One: Completing

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2007?
(What did you create? What challenges did you face with courage and strength? What promises did you keep to yourself? What brave choices did you make? What are you proud of?)

Alhamdolillah: I survived another year with Devic’s. I found out that what I carry inside of me is far more important than the temporary status granted by beauty, profession, or class. I wrote essays and created handmade gifts. I told and showed my loved ones how I felt, often. I made a commitment to greater discipline of the tongue and heart.

2. What is there to grieve about 2007?
(What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)

I wasted a lot of time. I felt like I crossed over into adulthood with the passing of my last grandparent. I said goodbye to the idea of becoming a biological mother…I still can barely think about that, much less write about it. Alhamdolillah, Thy will be done.

3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?

I don’t want to be ruled by anger, fear or regrets.

I believe that civility, generosity, goodness, and beauty are worth upholding and protecting.

I declare 2007 complete!

2008 is my year of being STRONG, recommitment to God, new beginnings with loved ones and thoughtful decisions for the future, insha-Allah!

[HT: Making a Home in Kabul and Superhero Journal]