Wednesday 04 / November / 2026
Her book is beautifully designed, small in size, and rich in content. As an author, it is her debut book. The captivating title made me curious to read it and approach her to explore her message, how our youth can benefit from her thoughts and inspiring message, and the salient key lessons within it.
“Towards a More Beautiful Life” is certainly a well selected title that raises so many questions in the readers’ minds. One cannot help but ask what beautiful life she is talking about, how to achieve it, and a score of other questions that erupt in one’s mind.
Amal Al Jabri works for a government sector organisation and has a keen interest in reflecting on human experiences and the meanings and lessons they hold. She believes that being mindful of what we go through, as well as what we witness in the experiences of others, gives us a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
The author was inspired to write Towards a More Beautiful Life to share personal experiences, observations, and wisdom that brought greater ease, meaning, and joy to her own life. By documenting these insights, she aims to offer readers a thoughtful collection of lessons that encourage self-reflection and help them enrich their personal journeys toward their goal.
I met Amal to explore what lies between the lines of her book, and our conversation led us to the following inspiring insights:
At a time when Omani youth face rapid social, technological, and economic change, what does “Towards a More Beautiful Life” mean to the young person of today?
A more beautiful life does not mean a life free from challenges and obstacles; these are part of everyone’s experience. Facing them begins with believing in one’s ability to overcome them and recognising that change is not something to wait for others or circumstances to bring about. It begins within. This is what I express in the book through the idea, “You are responsible.” Each person is responsible for how they respond to what they face, for the choices they make, and for the steps they take towards improvement. When young people recognise this, they become better equipped to face challenges and seek ways to overcome them.
The book emphasises that meaningful change begins from within. How can this message help Omani youth move from waiting for opportunities to taking ownership of creating them?
Change begins with a person’s thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. Young people need to recognise the thoughts that may limit their ambitions and replace them with beliefs that strengthen their confidence and align with their goals. When they understand that their thoughts influence their choices and actions, they can move from waiting for the right circumstances to taking initiative. Believing in one’s ability to change, when combined with effort, helps young people recognise the opportunities available to them and create new ones.
Young people today are constantly exposed to comparison through social media. How can the book’s message about self-acceptance and becoming “the best version of yourself” help Omani youth build confidence without measuring their worth against others?
Self-confidence begins with knowing oneself: what one enjoys, what makes one distinctive, and which goals reflect one’s character and needs. The book points out that some people pursue goals borrowed from others’ wishes or chosen to satisfy society. These goals may not bring genuine fulfilment because they do not reflect who those people truly are. With social media encouraging constant comparison, young people need to remember that everyone has their own journey and goals. Becoming the best version of yourself means growing in keeping with your own abilities and values, rather than measuring your worth by what others achieve.
The book highlights positive thinking, gratitude, and faith. How can these values help young Omanis deal with disappointment, uncertainty, failure, and the pressures of pursuing education, employment, and personal success?
The book explains that the way we think influences our feelings, choices, and the steps we take towards what we aspire to achieve. Positive thinking does not mean denying difficulties; it means facing them without allowing failure or disappointment to define the limits of our abilities. Positive thinking helps young people learn from experience and continue striving. Gratitude reminds them of the blessings and strengths they already have, while faith offers reassurance and confidence in times of uncertainty. When these values are combined with taking practical steps, young people can face the pressures of education and work with greater patience and hope, recognising that success is built through perseverance, discipline, and consistency, rather than achieved instantly.
As the author stresses that success is built through small, consistent habits. What practical habits can Omani youth develop today that could make a meaningful difference in their personal and professional lives tomorrow?
One habit that can have a lasting impact is setting aside regular time to learn—by reading, following a range of knowledge sources, and keeping up with developments in one’s field—and then applying what has been learned in life or work. Young people can also refine their skills, build on their strengths, and identify areas they need to improve. Managing their time, breaking goals into achievable steps, and reviewing their progress regularly can help them continue to grow. Every small step in developing knowledge and skills can lead to better opportunities in the future.
Oman Vision 2040 places strong emphasis on developing capable, responsible, and innovative national talent. How can the principles in this book contribute to developing young Omanis who take responsibility for their own growth and actively contribute to society?
I believe the book’s central message is to raise an individual’s awareness of their abilities and potential, and to help them recognise their responsibility for developing themselves. When young people believe they can grow, they become more willing to learn, take initiative, and take responsibility for their own development. In Oman, opportunities for learning and training are available, but they are recognised by those who seek them, and best used by those who prepare themselves. Innovation does not necessarily begin with a big idea. It may begin with improving the way a task is done, developing a business idea, or finding a solution to a problem in the community. When young people develop themselves and bring value to their fields, the impact extends to their organisations and communities, making their contribution to Oman’s development tangible.
If you could leave one message from “Towards a More Beautiful Life” with every young Omani, what would it be and what is the one change you would hope they begin making in their lives after reading the book?
My message to every young Omani is that the journey towards the life they aspire to begins with a decision rooted in the belief that they can change and take responsibility for their steps. Clear goals, belief in the possibility of achieving them, and the perseverance and discipline to pursue them bring a person closer to what they hope to achieve by the grace of Allah. The change I hope young people will begin making is to stop waiting for perfect circumstances. Instead, they can choose a goal that reflects who they are and take a small step towards it today.
Amal concludes that the impossible cannot become possible unless we take the first step and keep moving. On our journey to achieve our goals, we are likely to face challenges and even fail at times. We must remain resilient and bounce back, learning from our stumbles and treating them as mere stepping stones to elevate our performance and reach our aspirations.
Allow me to express my gratitude for this opportunity. It is a wonderful gesture by Times of Oman to open its platform to local literary content, allowing it to reach the wider readership of this prestigious newspaper. My sincere thanks to the entire team.
An Omani writer focusing on youth development and cultural issues. Can be reached through [email protected]
