A Global Nomad in Search of True Happiness

by Hani Ibrahim Khoja

"Each and every human being in history has been created to make the world a better place. Some of us have been blessed with more health, wealth, wisdom, and security. But all of us have a unique ability to make a difference. There is a compelling Quran verse informing us that all living beings have been chosen by God as his “Khalifas (agents and inheritors) on Earth”. The question that constantly whispers in my ear and drives my every action is: in what specific ways can I be God’s “Khalifa”?

With so much chaos surrounding us, where would I start? I had recently felt confused. I wanted to do something, but I didn’t know what. And so this book emerged. Writing it has been a process to overcome my paralysis and start the momentum. Through this self-reflection, I have come up with a five step formula to living forever happy.

I firstly hope this book will inspire others to determine their ultimate destiny, as I’ve attempted to do. Secondly, I hope to provide a roadmap for others towards an eternal life of happiness by helping those less fortunate utilizing our unique skills and interests. Thirdly, I hope to bridge the gap between the American and Saudi cultures. Extremists have created unjustified distrust on both sides. Most Americans feel Saudis are violent, backward, and unapproachable, while many Saudis see Americans as imperialistic warmongers. Having lived most of my life between both cultures, I will highlight the similar values and beliefs Americans and Saudis share. I aim to out-voice the extremists who have thus far dominated the conversation, and to provide a realistic picture of both cultures.

480 pages

Published April 1, 2016

Reviews

[Afnan Alharbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an autobiography/ self development book, I find it very inspiring and pushing me to the positive side. There was a lot of repetition and I felt boring in the first 10% of the book but it became interested later on. It's full with interesting facts of Saudi Arabia and it had changed my perspective of many things that I used to hate about this country. I totally recommend this book to any one looking for interesting stories and seeking a help of an expert in business/ life
Please visit my blog to further read about this book and other reviews https://afaneenblog.wordpress.com/201...

[Ahmed Lary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a handful
When I bought this book I thought it was a memoir or a biography only to realize it was a self-development type of guide, for those who want to make a difference. And it did make a difference in my life. The author was able through many milestones in his life seize the moment and take a "leap of faith" which has brought him the happiness he set out to find along his wonderful and successful journey.
What I was hoping to read however, were the mistakes and bad decisions he made along the way and how he learned from them because that is where experience is gained. I took away half a star for that. The other half star was for the use of numerical characters in the Arabic names like Sa3eeda or al-3ariadh, I just find that confusing for an English speaking reader and over simplistic for and Arab who is reading English.
Finally my advise to the author would be to have this book be translated to Arabic, that way it will reach a broader audience and those whom the author intended to reach.

[Lama · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would!
Loved the writing and how he introduced the topics. His journey was inspiring I just felt so proud just reading.
It motivated me in so many ways ❤️

[Balqees Al-ansari · Rating 5 out of 5]

الكتاب ملهم لهاني خوجة مؤسس شركة الأكسير و بعدها الآن makenzy من أكبر مكاتب الدراسات بالمملكة. الكتاب سيرة ذاتية لكنه ينطلق من فكرة أن كل إنسان خلق لهدف و مهمة في الحياة و منحه المولى الوسائل لتحقيق هذه الرسالة و يتكلم عن قصةنجاحه بكل تفاصيلها منذ طفولته في أمريكا لزواجه لعمله بأروبا و بعدها بجدة و تجربته ببرنامج يلا شباب مع الشقيري.
أنا شخصيا قراءة الكتاب ساعدتني نفسياً و ألهمتني و أنصح بقراءته

"لقد تم إنشاء كل إنسان في التاريخ لجعل العالم مكانًا أفضل. لقد أنعم الله على بعضنا بالمزيد من الصحة والثروة والحكمة والأمن. ولكننا جميعًا لدينا قدرة فريدة على إحداث فرق. هي آية قرآنية قاهرة تخبرنا بأن جميع الكائنات الحية قد اختارت من قبل الله "خليفته (الوكلاء والورثة) على الأرض". السؤال الذي يهمس باستمرار في أذني ويدفع كل تحركاتي هي: في أي طرق محددة يمكنني يكون "خليفة" الله؟ مع الكثير من الفوضى المحيطة بنا ، أين أبدأ؟ كنت قد شعرت في الآونة الأخيرة بالارتباك. أردت أن أفعل شيئًا ، لكن لم أكن أعرف ماذا. وهكذا ظهر هذا الكتاب. الكتابة كانت عملية للتغلب على شلليتي وبدء الزخم من خلال هذا التأمل الذاتي ، توصلت إلى صيغة من خمس خطوات للعيش سعيدة إلى الأبد. أتمنى أولاً أن يلهم هذا الكتاب الآخرين لتحديد مصيرهم النهائي ، كما حاولت القيام به. ثانيا ، أتمنى أن أوفر خارطة طريق للآخرين نحو حياة أبدية من السعادة من خلال مساعدة أولئك الأقل حظًا باستخدام مهاراتنا ومصالحنا الفريدة. ثالثًا ، أتمنى أن أتمكن من سد الفجوة بين الثقافتين الأمريكية والسعودية. لقد خلق المتطرفون انعدام ثقة غير مبرر على كلا الجانبين. معظم الأمريكيين يشعرون بأن السعوديين عنيفون ومتخلفون ولا يمكن الوصول إليهم ، في حين أن العديد من السعوديين ينظرون إلى الأمريكيين على أنهم دعاة حرب إمبرياليين. بعد أن عشت معظم حياتي بين الثقافتين ، سأسلط الضوء على القيم والمعتقدات المماثلة التي يشاطرها الأميركيون والسعوديون. أهدف إلى التعبير عن صوت المتطرفين الذين هيمنوا حتى الآن على الحوار ، وتقديم صورة واقعية لكلتا الثقافتين.

[Raghdah AJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an inspiring book full of energy and excitement. Although there where to much focus on certain details, the writer has away of making you want to continue reading even if you have read enough for one day, he takes you through his journey in life and work from his early days in elementary school until he established his dream company.

This book is a semi-self development book, however the writer shares examples from his life which is a great approach to get readers engaged and willing to think about making a change in their lives. In addition, the exercises which can be found at the end of each chapter encourages readers to take small steps in their journey of change.

Nevertheless, there were certain subjects that I disagreed with, such as how the Arab world did not have an edu-tainment content in the past and how the Arabic version of Sesame Street is less attractive and not entertaining, and a quite bad version of the English one, I felt that this part was a bit subjective, and I argue that it helped a lot of kids back then to improve their Arabic, and it had been a huge success in the past.

Despite that, I do recommend the book, it's a nice read actually and you'll definitely enjoy it , especially if you want to learn more about the real world of business.

[Emran Arif · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Biographical piece of work is highly introspective, and is a manual, not to be read on one read but through many days. I love the ideas and the concepts, sometimes it seemed repetitive; however, it made its points clear. I suggest re-do the question after every couple of months to clarify yourself.
Thank you Hani for this book.

[bashair · Rating 1 out of 5]

اسلوب الكاتب بسيط سهل القراءة ، الكتاب سيرة ذاتية بشكل عام ، احببت الكتاب في البداية الى بدا يدخل في التفاصيل الكثيرة التي لا احبها ، اعتقد انه كان بالامكان اختصارها ، لم احب فكرة الانتقال من موضوع الى اخر ثم الرجوع الى الموضوع الاول تشتت التركيز