I found The Alchemist to be a wonderful tale on pursuing one's dreams. Coelho shows how easy it is to give up ever attaining one's dreams due to complacency - or not wanting to move out of one's comfort zone. "People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel that they don't deserve them, or that they'll be unable to achieve them." Another endearing quote from the book, "There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure." Yet Santiago does want to pursue his dream of finding his treasure and yes, at times we see and feel his fear, but along his journey, he has learned to listen to his heart and to trust what his heart teaches him.
"When a person really desires something all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream." Santiago is constantly tested along the way, yet he continues to listen to the murmurings of his heart, which are never wrong. Santiago learns about love along the way and helps others to face their fears as well. Coelho states, "And that's where the power of love comes in. Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are."
Some may see this fable as contrite, or overworked or too new age for their tastes. I disagree and loved the messages that this book imparted, interwoven in the tale of the desert, The Alchemist, and Santiago. This book, I found, imparted to me numerous jewels of wisdom. I was captured and absorbed into the tale and found myself relating to the fears, but I completely understood the message of following one's dreams, listening to one's heart, trusting, loving and learning to let go of fear. "Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there. Wherever your heart is, that is where you'll find your treasure. Your heart is alive. Keep listening to what it has to say." The Alchemist imparts these words of wisdom to Santiago when Santiago begins to doubt and question.
"Everyone on earth has treasure that awaits him," his heart said. "We, people's hearts, seldom say much about those treasures, because people no longer want to go in search of them. We speak of them only to children. Later we simply let life proceed, in its own direction, toward its own fate. But, unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them - the path to their destinies, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place. So we, their hearts, speak more and more softly. We never stop speaking out . . "
This tale is inspiring, imaginative, and captivating. Santiago grows throughout the story and in the end, even though he was tested severely, he preserved and obtained his treasure by following his dream. We only limit ourselves - only we place limitations on us, as the universe conspires to aid us in all directions.
I highly recommend this book and since this is the second book I have read by Coelho, I now need to read them all! These words speak to my heart!
BY THE RIVER PIEDRA
"When a person really desires something all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream." Santiago is constantly tested along the way, yet he continues to listen to the murmurings of his heart, which are never wrong. Santiago learns about love along the way and helps others to face their fears as well. Coelho states, "And that's where the power of love comes in. Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are."
Some may see this fable as contrite, or overworked or too new age for their tastes. I disagree and loved the messages that this book imparted, interwoven in the tale of the desert, The Alchemist, and Santiago. This book, I found, imparted to me numerous jewels of wisdom. I was captured and absorbed into the tale and found myself relating to the fears, but I completely understood the message of following one's dreams, listening to one's heart, trusting, loving and learning to let go of fear. "Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there. Wherever your heart is, that is where you'll find your treasure. Your heart is alive. Keep listening to what it has to say." The Alchemist imparts these words of wisdom to Santiago when Santiago begins to doubt and question.
"Everyone on earth has treasure that awaits him," his heart said. "We, people's hearts, seldom say much about those treasures, because people no longer want to go in search of them. We speak of them only to children. Later we simply let life proceed, in its own direction, toward its own fate. But, unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them - the path to their destinies, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place. So we, their hearts, speak more and more softly. We never stop speaking out . . "
This tale is inspiring, imaginative, and captivating. Santiago grows throughout the story and in the end, even though he was tested severely, he preserved and obtained his treasure by following his dream. We only limit ourselves - only we place limitations on us, as the universe conspires to aid us in all directions.
I highly recommend this book and since this is the second book I have read by Coelho, I now need to read them all! These words speak to my heart!
BY THE RIVER PIEDRA
"By the river piedra..." is a beautiful embodiment of the value that love has in one's life..it silently yet strongly emphasis the fact that all journeys in life begin with and end with love. Paulo Coelho in this novel has succeed in making understand that the language of tears is definitely heard by god-no matter in what form you worship him- masculine or feminine divinity. Its in a way a lesson for all to understand that " There is no greater service to mankind and humanity than to strive for your happiness and then with that happiness spread the colors of joy amidst the people. Perhaps a reading of dis book would change mindset of many around d world who believe that "love" is simply a passing phase and should be and must be sacrifice as and when society, family or circumstances demand. The protagonist of the story says." love can consign us to paradise or hell, but it always takes us somewhere". True enough for those who believe and incredulous for those who think.
