The Alchemist: For the nth time

Although the circumstances around the time I got hold and first read Paolo Coelho's The Alchemist I barely remember (I'm quite positive it was from my sister’s book collection), I can distinctly explain the rest of the almost countless circumstances that I had gone back and re-read the book during certain times of my life thereafter.

Those certain times are the tough times. The make or break times. The times when I long to hold on to something tangible but would ironically cling to a mere suggestion of hope. The times all I really needed was to believe.

Such time had befallen once more. And so I reach for my ever reliable perk-up book.

Oddly enough, I also can’t remember how many copies of Coelho’s The Alchemist I had actually bought. I always seem to give it away the moment I realize someone I care about – whether an old friend or someone close to me who I see on a daily basis, or a new colleague. So two weeks ago, when I decided I need to peruse it once more, I had to go get my own copy (I like the book cover of my old one better).

The following is an excerpt (emphasis mine):

“I’m the King of Salem,” The old man had said.
“Why would a King be talking to a shepherd?” the boy asked, awed and embarrassed. “For several reasons. But let’s say the most important is that you have succeeded in discovering your Personal Legend.”
The boy didn’t know what a person’s “Personal Legend” was.
“It’s what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend.”
None of what the old man was saying made much sense to the boy. But he wanted to know what the “mysterious force” was. The merchant’s daughter would be impressed if he told her about that!
“It’s a force that appears to be negative, but actually shows you how to realize your Personal Legend. It prepares your spirit and your will, because there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.”
“Even when all you want to do is travel? Or marry the daughter of a textile merchant?”
“Yes, or even search for treasure. The Soul of the World is nourished by people’s happiness. And also by unhappiness, envy, and jealousy. To realize one’s Personal Legend is a person’s only real obligation. All things are one.
“And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.”
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The book is about the adventures of a boy, who became a shepherd because of his love of travel, and who eventually followed his Personal Legend seeking the hidden treasure. That he found the treasure is not unforeseen, but if you were Santiago, you would perhaps also wish you go through the longer route leading to it.

When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.

Now that, is one happy thought only the foolish would ignore.