My Thoughts: Digital Vesrion, #2

By Mohammed Anwar

Dive into a thought-provoking exploration within these pages where the genesis of reality unfolds from the intricate dance between thoughts and creation. This book delves deep into the profound concept that our reality is born from the fabric of our thoughts. Discover a tapestry of subjects ranging from finance, economics, and the dynamics of capitalism to the realms of religion, philosophy, and the evolving roles of women in power. Immerse yourself in the corridors of politics, traverse the landscapes of international affairs, and embark on journeys that unveil the essence of travel. Experience a narrative woven from the threads of everyday life, offering insights and perspectives that resonate with the pulse of our world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mohammed Anwar
• Release date: Dec 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798224160136

Book preview

Dedication

Dedicated to my mother and grandmother who were always willing to spend time with me and provided me with wise advice on society and how to live a good life. 

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Mr. Adnan Aamir for editing the language, grammar and designing the book. I would also like to thank Abdullah Al Shuaili, the editor and chief of Oman Daily Observer newspaper for his support in publishing my articles. 

Table of Contents

Introduction

To begin, let me give you the story, but before I tell you the story, I must say that this book is a compilation of my published articles in newspapers across the country. Aside from that, I will ask this question before telling the story: Is this book worth reading?

Here the story goes. One September day, on an evening just like every other evening, I started to think about who I should become. Becoming and being known as a writer is something I wanted because I was looking for people to comment on the way I thought and wrote. It was not easy and it remains so now since choosing and writing about topics requires a lot of effort and care, both of which are tastes and pains.

For over a year I sent my articles to different newspapers requesting their editors to publish them; all were rejected because they were not of that quality. In spite of my frustration, I continued writing with different styles and attractive topics until one of the articles was published. From there, my journey as a writer began.

Is this book worth reading? What is there for readers?  Mostly, the book focuses on the economic part of those gaps in society and institutions. Economics is the key engine of any society, so you will read most about economics in relation to society's issues, analyzing what causes a society not to think about commerce and what causes them to do so. 

In addition, the book encourages readers to confront issues and obstacles with courage. This book gives readers the opportunity to think about market, finance, capitalism, philosophy, and politics in a more practical way as these topics are a part of our lives that cannot be ignored.

In this book, one of the topics covered is women empowerment because women always play an important role in society and institutions. For a better outcome, economically, they add value with different ideas and perspectives. 

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Mohammed Anwar Al Balushi

Muscat –  August 24, 2022

Chapter 1: Finance and Economy

This is the largest chapter of the book and contains 14 articles. It covers a wide range of topics from finance, capitalism, and solar energy to agriculture, Gold markets, and bank auditing among others. In this chapter, the author is using his knowledge and insights gained in his career as a banker to shed light on finance and economic matters. The views of the author are backed by his expertise in this field and his desire to educate the readers so that they can make informed decisions about their life matters involving finance and the economy. He also gives suggestions on topics relating to personal savings, learning about finance, gold markets, and other related matters in this chapter.

1) Becoming Financially Free

Whether discussed  at  individual or  organizational level, the problem remains same. Today,  everyone is in  financial crisis. It  should not surprise you that the dream of individuals is also  attaining financially freedom. Why  are people keen to become financially free? Everyone deserves  a proper and positive answer because my answer might not fit your ground reality. 

Many organizations became bankrupt due to lack of liquidity. 2008 was  year when most banks in Oman faced problems of liquidity. In some countries people  attempted suicide due to lack of money.  Currently, states such as Greece and the  companies like J.P. Morgan are the  living and negative examples of finance and economy. If it is well noticed, it is  money which motivates people. Money has its own value and importance. It solves many of  an individuals’ problems. One can better educate his kids. One can live in luxury houses. One can go to the best doctors if there is a health problem. One can better enjoy holidays by going to the most beautiful places in the world.  People can't even think of other needs of life if they  lack money. 

Dr. Maslow introduced his needs hierarchy theory in the mid-1940s and until 1950s it remained primarily in the realm of quantifiable  psychology where he did his progressive work.  He had come up with  the idea that there are five needs for human's survival which include: 

i. Physiological Needs: These include homeostasis (the humans' bodies which make efforts to retain common functioning). For example, food to satisfy hunger and thirst, and the need for oxygen. In this need, sleep, sensory pleasures, and sexual desires are also counted.  ii. Safety Needs: Every individual needs to be safe. He wants his job, wealth, and family to be secured.

Love Needs: These needs include affection and sense of belonging such as social activities, friendships, and both by giving and receiving love. 

Esteem Needs: This includes self-respect that everyone has some worth.

Self-Actualization: This is the development, growth and realization of one’s full potential. 

Unfortunately, most of you are still looking wedged and immovable from the first need. You are still working for money.  Aren’t you? Will there be a time when the money works for you? For how long you wake up at 5am and get ready for the work, wearing your white Dishdasha with Mussar or Tie with blue shirt and black trousers, and listen to your Bosses? You work for thirty days and wait for the last day of the month to get your monthly salary of RO.

(250, 400, 500, 1000, or 2000). 

A year  ago, I went with my family to Barka Lulu Mall for shopping. During purchasing  my stuff, I saw a man. He was looking very tired and sorrows were  evident on his face. He too came to do some shopping.  All my attention was diverted on him. He was not searching for quality based stuff; instead he was looking for cheap ones. I asked myself : Would he have gone for cheap if he had enough money? 

I have attended a course of three days on Islamic Banking. There was a discussion in the class on What People Do with Money. One of the participants said, What if people have money, will they eat gold? He added: What if someone has two cars, will he drive them at the same time? People always have different opinions. I could not participate  in the discussion. In fact, I was discussing with myself, in the class. I asked myself  that what Bill Gates will be doing right now? What he will be doing with his money? Where Mr. Ambani will be travelling now? Who is benefiting from the wealth of Steve Jobs? I answered myself that all of them are rich and became financially free. They must be thinking ahead, unlike us. They must be thinking on self-actualization. They must be thinking upon new ideas and how to make the world a better place

Reviews for My Thoughts

[Mohammed Anwar Al Balushi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting book, covering most aspects of life. Correcting Rich Dad Poor Dad concept in one of the topics. Recommended for reading.