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Such was my sincerity when I first took up this path that I thought I had to confess to all of my loved ones openly.

Twenty-five years on, it occurs to me that this was quite unnecessary. What one believes is a private matter.

Of course, back then there were complicating factors, such as Ramadan coinciding with Christmas. It’s not exactly easy to hide fasting in the midst of family festivities.

But as for rituals of prayer: these are hidden, while dropping certain foods could easily be obscured by a vegetarian diet. Expectations that I would attend church? Yes, well, I had forgotten about that.

Still, today as an autonomous adult, living far away from family: if I had to go through that process again, I doubt I would tell anyone. Not until I was settled, anyway.

In those early days along the road, our task is to reform our own selves, purifying our intentions and deeds. Our job at the start of the journey is not to convince others that we are right, but to focus on rectifying our own condition.

Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Will you not use reason?

Qur’an 2:44

Those first steps are not easy, but they are necessary. You may think you’re on your own. No, but God is with you wherever you are. These are the moments to truly rely upon the One in whose hands is your very soul.