Instead of entering Ramadan with a clean slate, we enter with a baggage of affairs, worries and emotions.
If we are depressed, anxious, jealous or resentful, our focus will not be on the worship of the Almighty, but on our psychological sores. Therefore, we need psychological detoxification from the emotional poisons that have infiltrated us.
POISON NO. 1: GRUDGE
Have you ever been hurt or deceived by people who have done wrong to you and against whom you still feel a grudge? Grudges are like heavy suitcases that you carry with you everywhere you go. Learn to get rid of them - and feel free.
First, forgive yourself for past mistakes. No matter how carelessly, selfishly or indecently you behaved in the past, there is always hope for a change. There is no limit to the Almighty's forgiveness. The door of contrition is always open.
Forgive your parents, wife (husband), brothers, sisters and anyone else who has been hurtful to you. Instead of being angry towards them, realise that there is divine wisdom in everything that happens. It is the challenges that form you, that make you stronger. Accept your past and present as they are to find freedom.
"Whoever, having experienced offence, forgives, Allah will exalt him and wipe away one of his sins." (Tirmizi). The point of true forgiveness is to forget others' mistakes. To stop catching and remembering them. This is one of the most dignified and mature acts you can do.
POISON NO. 2: ANGER
Anger is a natural emotion that can motivate us to take action. But if anger is not properly channeled, it can become a major cause of physical and psychological problems. Learn to control it, or it will control you.
Maturity is important in overcoming anger - you own your feelings, and only you decide whether you are angry or not. Don't blame others for anything, you are an adult, mature person, and your feelings belong to you, not to other people. If you have a lot of "buttons" that people push that make you lose your temper, turn those buttons OFF. Stop responding to them - and people will stop pushing them.
When one man asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) for advice, he replied, "Don't be angry." The man asked for advice again and then again, and each time the Prophet replied, "Don't be angry". The reason is that anger leads to many problems and sins. The best way to prevent anger is to pause, take deep breaths and exhales and, asking God for forgiveness, tune in positively.
POISON NO. 3: ANXIETY
The danger of anxiety is that anxiousness "eats away" our minds and makes us feel depressed. And when it comes to depression, one can no longer concentrate on anything, remain calm and believe in oneself. This can have a negative effect on belief and productivity. People often feel paralysed when anxiety takes over.
Living in regret over the past and in fear of the future is a tremendous stressor for most people. Their only remedy is to live in the moment. Only when you focus on the present without worrying about the past or the future can you start living life to the fullest. In order to do that, you have to really believe in the wisdom of the Almighty. Everything He does happens for a reason. Control your words addressed to yourself: an inner dialogue can either help you calm down or lead to colossal stress. Don't say, "I don't know what's going to happen next, what should I do?" - but say: "I know that everything will work out in the best way - Insha'Allah, I will be able to cope with whatever happens.
Prepared on the basis of
https://muslimmatters.org/2013/08/04/emotional-detox-during-ramadan/
