The doyen of self-improvement, Richard Templar, advocates making good decisions as being the key to a good life, and Muscat-based Human Resources Manager, now author, Said bin Nasser al Hosni follows a very much similar path in his recently released ‘Twenty Lessons in April.’
Al Hosni challenges many of the more passive characteristics of the Sultanate of Oman’s people in presenting bite-sized life and work philosophies, that draw positive responses from the culture and traditions, the faith, and the psyche, of everyday Omanis. Most, happy in their everyday lives, meandering between home and work, family, and friends, rarely think of possibilities beyond the horizons of each day, and that is where Al Hosni comes in. He pushes, prods, and offers his first twenty lessons to shape ones-self towards being the best version of themselves.
The allusion to April in the book’s title refers to the month of the author’s birth, which he shares with Leonardo da Vinci and William Shakespeare, of which he says, “I believe that where I am today is all linked to my childhood, therefore April for me is not only a month but influences the whole of my life. Each topic is drawn from something in my personality and has inspired me to challenge today’s normal.” He went on to explain that so much of what is in the twenty lessons is a reflection on his own life and experiences, which have taken him from the tiny hamlet of Ghail Al Shibool, in Suhar, to prominence in his profession, and now, as an author.
His charming, smart wife, and three ‘cute’ daughters, and his responsible position are just what you see on the surface, but Al Hosni also gives generously of his time to the society and community, and particularly, the young people, being passionate about his workshops for students, jobseekers, and employees. There he utilises his own skills of observation, communication, reason, and problem-solving, to stimulate the fearlessness of his own experiences, within the youthful, vibrant, yet remarkably conservative generations.
“There were trials,” he said of his journey as an author, “but this time I have made it successfully. To be an author is an amazing feeling and it wasn’t an easy journey, but it was certainly interesting. As an author I have learned a lot, and I could know myself more and more, for as I mentioned in my book, “writing is one of the great ways to uncover and unearth deep emotions you have kept all these years within you”. He also spoke of wanting to empower people to see beyond negative experiences, and to “treat themselves properly when faced with challenges in their life, and to flip bad situations to the positive side, in their best interests.”
Launching at the Muscat Book Fair of 2022, Al Hosni confessed to surprise at the level of enthusiasm and positive response from readers. “Of course, it is what you want, but my expectations were tempered by the challenges we have all faced under the pandemic. The sweetest response though came from my youngest daughter, who made my day when asked for a book to give her English Teacher as I could see in her eyes how proud she was of her Dad.”
His future writing and publishing plans include “To write book about Human Resources Management, which is my deepest passion, knowing how it so greatly affects all society, and to have a continuing series of books on the lessons of life, and work.” As if to offer validation of his work too, the month of April is traditionally known as the month of rebirth, regrowth, and renewal, and its name is derived from the Latin ‘aperire,’ which means to open.
Al Hosni’s parting advice could reasonably be seen then, as to be open to “treasuring those around you, for their values, and the value they add to your life, as they will lead you to greater heights.”
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