Spiritual ADHD
“Umm.. Why don’t you wear hijab
anymore?”
Hmmm… Good question! I could give you
a lot of reasons why I didn’t stop.I didn’t stop because I am no longer
Muslim. I didn’t stop to make someone happy. I didn’t stop because I was
scared. I didn’t stop because I don’t love the fashion. Now there’s a confusing
double-negative so let me clarify: I love how the hijab looks on myself and
other women. But I can’t really tell you why I did stop.
In the three or so years I dedicated
myself to the study and practice of Islam, I learned a ton about Islam, but
that was not even the tip of the iceberg. I learned I am in love with
the study of history and religion. I learned there is more misinformation out
there truth. I learned that I am not at all qualified to determine fact from
fiction. I am, however, quite sure that much of what we accept as fact is
instead the latter. Did Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, really say
this? Did Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, really do that? Who was I to
say? I learned I do not have to belong to a group, blindly accept every
teaching of a religion, or label myself as this or that to follow God.
I may not always have the answers. I
may say one thing one day and contradict myself the next. That to me is so much
more true and authentic than clutching an idea or belief so tightly that it
comes to define you or blind you from the other possibilities out there,
cutting you off from knowledge that could potentially expand your perceptions.
I didn’t want to close myself off from the wealth of information out there on
God, our perceptions of Him, and how we have recorded our interactions with Him
across time and throughout cultures.
I had done nothing intellectually for
three years except study Islam. I learned Arabic. I read the Qur’an multiple
times. I followed every rule I learned to the extent that I was able. I watched
YouTube, read articles, listened to lectures and podcasts, you name it! After
three years of study I concluded that Islam is a magnificent, beautiful, deeply
multifaceted religion that, when followed, is designed to purify hearts and
heal societies. I concluded that I love Islam and wish I knew better how to
share that love and understanding with others. And I concluded I was no longer felt the passion.
Geesh! That sounds harsh! But if
there’s one thing I want to be in this diary-blog, its emotionally and
intellectually honest. It is with that somewhat blunt honesty that I must admit
I wanted to study something new. I had a million reasons that I used to
convince first myself and then others why I’m suddenly having such a change of
heart. Upon reflection they were all superfluous, convenient excuses. I was
simply and inexplicably done. I loved practicing the religion but I also felt I
lost my identity in it, my individuality that defined me and set me apart. Oh,
to the rest of the western world, I was different all right. I stood out. But I
was wearing a mask to try to convince myself and others that I was a perfect
person, articulate, knowledgeable, and pious. One day, out of the blue, the
mask no longer fit. Being a persona rather than yourself, no matter who you do
it for, is exhausting. So in an effort to truly live for God and live for me, I
knew I had to re-embrace my me-ness.
I was in the midst of all this self
realization regarding what my beliefs are and how Islam fits into my world
view, when I stumbled upon Emily Wapnick’s TedxBend talk entitled “Why some of
us don’t have one true calling.” It hit me like a metaphoric ton of bricks. Her
talk extended well beyond the scope of who I want to be when I grow up and hit
the nail on the head in regards to my religious fervor but lack of ability to
commit to one specific dogma. Oh, I knew I was the person who doesn’t have one
true calling and had embraced that about myself a long time ago, but I hadn’t
reflected on how that impacts my pursuit of knowledge and “truth.” In fact, it
applies so perfectly! I had become deeply passionate about Islam, dove in head
first, immersed myself in it, but then I grew sated.
As I have long ago learned to say “I
don’t have a favorite (color, food, ice cream flavor, etc),” I am learning to
say “I don’t have all the answers.” That one took me a bit longer to master,
but there you have it ladies and gentlemen! I had followed a passion truly,
with my heart and soul, and God led me down a beautiful path that brought me
many new experiences, introduced me to wonderful people, and enlightened me to
who I was. But that wasn’t to be the end all be all of my spiritual
exploration. Am I scared that God is angry at me for seeking knowledge? No. Am
I worried I will ultimately chose the wrong path and accidentally end up among
the losers burning for eternity in a pit of fire? Not in the least. Not to
sound cocky, but I think God gets it. He designed me to question, to wonder, to
experiment and explore. He gave me a whopping case of ADHD (something I define
as a “curious, creative, and energetic mind”). I feel He is continuing to guide
me as I relinquish my need to be “part of a group” in order to feel justified
in my beliefs. And let me tell you, my friends, it is frightening, a little
bittersweet, and yet deeply liberating.
So where does that leave this blog?
Another excellent question, Laura, thanks for asking! Deen is defined in many
ways: the afterlife, the reckoning, or sometimes creed or religion. It is for
the love of my deen that I do everything in my life from my spirituality to my
health and fitness to how I raise my children. It excites me to think I can
start opening up this blog to go beyond just the scope of how I came to Islam
and what I have learned. Where this platform allowed me a beautiful opportunity
to explore my experiences and share them, coming to more deeply understand them
myself, so too I believe it will continue to serve as an opportunity for me to
share a broader range of my experience. While learning about Islam I was (and
still am) also a mother, a wife, an employee (for a bit), a sister, a
daughter... I was also an athlete, a dancer, an artist, a writer, a SPARTAN.
Most importantly, I am a big mistake maker, a status quo questioner and a
hardcore life experiencer.
Whether I discuss a baking experience
I had, a workout I discovered, or a parenting faux pas, I hope my adventures
will bring you, if nothing else, a smile. I may or may not be a Muslim. I may
or may not be a follower of Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him. I may even
have a little Budhist in me. I may devote the next three years to mastering
yoga or oil painting or just trying to survive homeschooling 7-year-old twins
and a brilliant teenager. Who knows where else my passions will take me. My
prayer is that whatever I do, I will do it with sincerity and authenticity and
that whatever I learn or believe that I do so with an open mind and an open
heart.