maisune's petals
maisune's petals: reflections, updates, announcements, things to share When I was in college, I used to respond to every "Happy New Year" with "I don't observe a solar calendar." I thought that was the best way to honor my identity as a Muslim and point out that there are multiple "New Years" for people around the world. I don't know exactly when I stopped doing that but I know it has to do with becoming carefree and more gentle. My harsh response to the greeting was due to my inner frustration towards the U.S. not observing Ramadan, Eid, and the Islamic New Year, which all follow a lunar calendar. We live and we grow. My younger self would be annoyed that I wrote a reflection acknowledging 2022 and setting a goal for myself in 2023. But that's the fun in growth. I chuckle at a 17-year-old maisune and she cringes at me. Happy New Year! I began 2022 promising myself I would achieve everything I set my mind to. I entered 2023 repeating to mys...