First book of the year.. "And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
The Alchemist is a thoughtful New Year gift from a friend. "Interesting" enough, my count down was me and the book, no one else.
It is a very spiritual book, there are plots, but there really aren't any. I feel everything appeared in the book symbolized something. I don't really make notes when I read books, but for this book, I had the urge to highlight the words because they are just that powerful. Almost no words were wasted, every page speaks with wisdom.
The book is about a boy (a shepherd) who is looking for treasure. He started his journey crossing the dessert to get to the Pyramid where he was told the treasures were. He met two important people, the King and the Alchemist who helped him to realize the treasure is also his Personal Legend. During the journey, he made money, he helped others made money and he also lost money. He met people who had dreams but too late to chase. He met a girl he loved but he had to leave and to realize his Personal Legend. There were distractions, tough times and confusing times. There were also omens along the way. Finally, he got to the Pyramid and realized the treasure was at where he started! He returned to the church that he started from and found the treasure. Wow.
I think everyone has their own "Personal Legend", you have your own treasure to chase. It's been with you for the whole time, but you just don't realize it. Because you really need to go through that journey like the boy did (crossing the dessert) to truly see where the treasure is and be happy. It's all part of the process.
It is a very good read. I feel it will make those who want to chase the dream motivated, also make those who gave up chasing motivated (or regret). All in all, are you willing to take that journey?
Just to share some quotes:
- "It's what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is."
- "And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
- "When you play cards the first time, you are almost sure to win. Beginner's luck"
"Why is that?"
"Because there is a force that wants yo to realize your Personal Legend; it whets your appetite with a taste of success."
- "The wise men understood that this natural world is only an image and a copy of paradise. The existence of this world is simply a guarantee that there exists a world that is perfect. God created the world, so that, through its visible objects, men could understand his spiritual teachings and the marvels of his wisdom. That is what I mean by action."
- "...before a dream is realized, the Soule of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we've learned as we've moved toward that dream."
- "When you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed."
- It's true; life really is generous to those who pursue their Personal Legend, the boy thought.
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