In a few short days, I’m planning to take a group of 200 people (including 26 Yalies) on a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, inshallah (God-willing)! The next few days will be filled with finalizing logistics, but also with important spiritual preparation: in addition to looking after everyone’s physical needs, I’m also responsible for attending to their spiritual needs. In order to responsibly fulfill that role, I realize that I need to attend to my own spiritual preparation because as the Arabic proverb says, “You cannot give what you do not possess,” and so I need to make sure that, amongst other things, I’m clarifying my intentions, my goals, and expected outcomes. This also includes dealing with my anxieties, particularly as a group leader, and coming to terms with the fact that there are things that I can control and there are things that are outside of my control; these are simple yet poignant spiritual realities for me. This Spring Break, I invite you to consider your own spiritual goals and make time to consciously attend to your spiritual needs whatever they may be. May this upcoming spring be a time for physical and spiritual renewal for us all!