The writer, Asgar Jafferali Dhanji (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) served as the Secretary-General of the Africa Federation for two – 3-years terms. He served as JIBA Vice Chairman – with a particular passion to raise funds and offer Micro Finance to our Community – for low-income, underprivileged, startups, Business loans, individuals, and small enterprises — thereby giving opportunities to grow economically. He is the founder of Imaan Finance Ltd — the First Islamic Finance Institution in Tanzania. and has also served in Dar es Salaam Jamaat’s Arbitration Committee as well as a Board member of Ebrahim Haji Charitable Hospital – with a particular passion for the project of building the new hospital. He is now a motivational/Inspirational speaker giving regular Saturday Fajr lectures at Dar Imambara.
Finance
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number of people have been trapped by these mental cuffs. This means that you voluntarily live at or very close to the edge of your current means or well above.
This means you trap yourself into keeping a job or working too many hours and do much more to earn that level of income. The rewards of your income are overshadowed by the stress of maintaining your lifestyle.
Then you may have to sacrifice time , that well deservedly is for your family.
Also, it means you have chosen to trade certain aspects of the quality of your life (time, hobbies, relationships etc), in exchange for driving a certain type of car, living in a certain type of home, or enjoying certain material comforts/privileges.Â
It is worth asking these questions:
Did the seductive advert for that great car convince you that you have “earned” the privilege of driving it?
Or, did those branded new clothes make you feel good about yourself while working long hours?
or, do all those credit cards give you pride but saddle you with debts?
or do the kids absolutely have to attend private school?
Be realistic in life, if need be, lower your standard of living, yes lower, spend less, consume less and simplify your life. It is understandable that these suggestions go against the ‘Western way of life’- seeming universal to increase your standard of living yet these simple suggestions will relieve you of stress, and anxiety and be less worried.
You will create more time for your loved ones, easing financial pressures and concerns and undoubtedly lengthening your life.
The above is not to suggest that those who make a good living need to sell their homes or cars and move to smaller homes or drive smaller cars, or you accept less income as a viable alternative.
All it means is, if you take off these golden handcuffs, your life will become stress-free and a great deal easier.
And you will feel the freedom, get sound sleep and be able to enjoy life within your means.
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