The writer is a former Cambridge School Principal and an Interview Skills Adviser
In the endless, desperate chase for power, wealth, and material possessions, the Western world has become like a man endlessly digging in a mine. He sweats and toils convinced that he’s moments away from uncovering treasure - only to emerge with nothing but fool’s gold. The real tragedy? Not just the hollow result of his labour, but the fact that he wasted his life. He forgot to enjoy the journey, ignored what truly mattered, and sacrificed love, family, and health for a false promise of happiness.
This is the West’s cautionary tale and Oman must take heed.
As Oman progresses and has to deal with increased Western influence whether through personal contacts or social media, Omani youth face a critical choice: will they guard their ancient traditions and values, or will they chase the empty illusions that have left so many western societies such as the US, broken?
For decades many Western nations have glorified a lifestyle built on relentless materialism and individualism.
Imperialism embodies such an ideology. But behind the glamour lies a growing darkness: loneliness, fractured families, and a mental health crisis that no amount of money can fix. Western communities are crumbling, people are drowning in anxiety, and an epidemic of drugs and alcohol has gripped entire generations.
This isn’t the freedom they advertise — it’s a trap. When life revolves around 'getting more' and perpetually 'desiring more' the emptiness creeps in, and many turn to harmful substances to numb the pain these pressures to 'succeed' bring with them. These vices — illegal drugs, and excessive alcohol — promise escape but deliver destruction.
They may offer fleeting moments of pleasure, but they are traps that lead to long-term suffering and often an untimely death. These substances wreak havoc on the body and mind, causing severe health issues like heart disease, lung damage, liver failure, and mental health deterioration.
This dependency is the cause of many suicides. It is estimated that in the West one person commits suicide every 40 seconds. What starts as a temporary escape quickly becomes a cycle of dependency, isolating you from loved ones and draining your sense of purpose and joy.
The fleeting high fades, leaving behind a life of misery, regret, and irreversible physical damage. This is the warning Oman must take to heart because these vices infiltrate a society like a thief in the night.
If a country isn’t careful it could easily trade its deep-rooted values for a lifestyle that leads nowhere. I have visited Singapore on business many times. Before you leave the plane on arrival you are given a card which warns you that if you are caught smuggling illegal drugs as you go through their customs the punishment is death.
And yes westerners despite this warning, including English drug smugglers, have been apprehended and have been executed. Initially, this seems an extreme punishment but when you see the breakdown of Societies, the ruining of young people’s lives, and the rise in crime resulting in many thousands of deaths, all caused by the trade in illegal drugs, it makes one reflect on whether the Singaporean authorities may have a point.
The dependence on illegal substances or alcohol (alcohol is not a neutral substance) to numb the pressures that can come with pursuing a Western lifestyle, is not uncommon.
Oman’s greatest treasure isn’t material wealth — it’s its values. Family. Kindness. Good health. These aren’t just words, they are the pillars of a meaningful life. Oman’s traditions have long taught that true success isn’t about the size of your bank account, but the strength of your relationships, the goodness in your heart, and your ability to contribute to the well-being of others.
We must pass this Omani wisdom on to the youth.
They need to know that the fleeting thrill of material things or the dangerous escape offered by drugs and alcohol will never replace the deep joy of love, purpose, community, and close family relationships.
Let Western mistakes serve as a mirror for young Omanis. They don’t have to follow the West’s path — Omanis must continue to carve their own, one that balances progress with preserving the values that make Omanis who they are. Oman is a bright candle in a world that is so often darkened over.
To safeguard its youth, Oman needs to act boldly. Education must go beyond academics and teach the value of compassion, moderation, and integrity. Schools, families, and communities should raise awareness about the dangers of harmful substances and the false promises of materialism.
The Western obsession with wealth and power offers a stark reminder: if you focus only on the destination — whether it’s money, fame, or status — you lose sight of the journey. And when the journey is lost, so is life itself.
Oman doesn’t need to chase the West’s fool’s gold when it already possesses a far greater treasure: the values that make it truly rich. Let’s ensure that as Oman grows, it remains a nation not only of progress but of enduring stability.
The West once held values similar to those held by Omanis. Sadly they failed to appreciate their importance. They lost them and once lost they are irretrievable.
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