I recently finished with reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – the third time that I had a go at it. This, I must say, is by far my favourite book – A fable about the wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens along life’s path and above all, following our dreams. Cannot go wrong there! It was two years ago when I had bought a copy of this book and finished it in a jiffy. As one can tell, I’ve been reading it again too. The book details the journey and realization of a shepherd boy’s dreams. Santiago, from Spain, dreams of finding a treasure in the pyramids of Egypt. A gypsy woman and an old man claiming to be a king advise him to pursue it. To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only obligation is what the old man tells him. The book is written in such a lucid manner that I felt that I was on the journey myself. The Alchemist remains my favourite as I can relate to the series of fundamental truths in life that Santiago learnt while going through his share of experiences. Perhaps the best part of the wisdom gained is how one needs to live the experiences, happy or sad. Living out one’s life is not difficult. Similarly, we all talk about dreams, but how many of us actually believe in them? Dreams do happen. You need to believe in them and follow a certain course of action. I have underlined certain lines in the book that I refer to now and then. For example: You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it is better to listen to what it has to say. There are times when I have not quite done what my heart might have warned me. I’m not sure whether I’d get a second chance to compensate for what is lost but I would surely be more cautious now. It is a belief I now carry that when you undertake your heart’s desire – not sure if I can answer whether that is conventionally right or wrong – it will become right for you because you will make it right for you. There is also another quote: God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens he left for you. There are insights that I mull over after each reading of the book. Each day in itself brings with is an eternity. Someone once told me – God has created you to do the things for which he has already prepared you. The Alchemist prompts you to thrive on every moment of your life.
