Qissati: Lessons for every inspired educator

Qissati, is a memoir that captures 50 stories from 50 years of remarkable leadership by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This book is a chronicle of experiences from his personal and public life. He calls it “sharing of little wisdom and lots of love.” Qissati gives an essence of many life lessons that leaves readers like me, inspired and at other times, speechless and emotional. Qissati has stories that connect and relate to an individual at a grass root level. Below are few lessons that made a profound impact on the educator in me.

Reading these stories made me realize that sometimes you do not know what destiny holds for you, and yet you must walk the path in faith, with a head filled with big dreams and goodness in your heart, to see miracles manifest.

Great ambitions and expectation from self, and others is a key take way from Qissati. As an educator, I urge all like-minded colleagues to bear this point in mind and teach students the importance to dream big and diversify their skill set because these are stepping-stones to success. This mindset is essential for them, as they are the future of the nation and leaders of tomorrow. We must teach them to stay focused on their goal but release expectation, since all seeds that they may water may not do not bloom or bear fruit. However, we must teach them to stay disciplined and never give up as hard work always gets noticed and opens doors of opportunities.

Qissati teaches us about reality and that life may not always be just and fair. People may not treat us well but we must remain true to ourselves by being the best version of self with everyone we meet. We must continue to have faith and remember that people are both good and bad. Hence, it is wise to simply focus on the good side of people because if we wait long enough, they will show their virtuous side. So, the key to building relationships and institutions is by disengaging in gossips and rumors, for they breed negativity, and destroy anything they come in contact with.

Furthermore, on a more sensitive note, some of the stories from Qissati, reminded me of the transient nature of life. Therefore, we must strive to be good and do good every day. Cherish family, especially parents. They are irreplaceable, as no one else can offer that kind of unconditional love.

Lastly, the most important lesson from Qissati was that great fortunes can be earned later in life but time lost due to inaction can never be re-gained.