Hajj demands certain degree of struggle, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
What rarely discussed is the aftermath also demand another kind of struggle.
Recovery takes a while.
Persistent coughing souvenir.
Sleepless and jetlag that makes me writing this at unusual hours.
Endless rewind and replay all the things happen for that past three weeks.
The never ending talk inside the head.
The comeback to reality needs some work too. From living for waiting for one prayer time to another, without worrying about anything else, then returning to real life situations where you have to take care of everything, even from the first day you arrived.
I am not even complaining. Just pointing out the reality. It’s more than huge blessing to be able to return happily, fully charged spiritually, and hopefully, a better person as a whole.
This is why I said to the doctor, spare a week to ten days from literal return date to back to work date. We need that space between. Transition period is important after going through such extraordinary journey like Hajj, no matter how short it seems.
Hajj taught patience like no other. Apparently, the real practice is needed right away once we return. Like patiently waiting for the body, mind and soul to fully operate in normal schedule.
I hope we’re recovering well, slowly but surely, even better if it’s sooner and purely cured.
Amin.
A Penny for My Pensieve 