We learn from books.
Books challenge us and inspire us. They broaden our horizons, and they give us new perspectives. They provide us with the questions we need to ask to ourselves.
Books have such a power letting each reader take away a different meaning from each page; the meaning they need to take away.
The Alchemist is a book which has been guiding many in their life journeys and many in their leadership journeys. Originally written in Portuguese by world-famous Brazilian author Paulo Coelho and first published in 1988, it became a widely translated international bestseller. The story follows the shepherd in his journey from Andalusia across North Africa to the Egyptian pyramids after he dreams of finding a treasure there.
In fact, the Alchemist is a universal story of living your “Personal Legend”.
***
While enjoying his life as a shepherd traveling across Andalusia, Santiago has a dream about finding a treasure in the Pyramids of Egypt, a place he does not even know how far it is. A gypsy woman and a mysterious king advise him to pursue his dream.
“Why would a king be talking with a shepherd?” the boy asked, awed and embarrassed. “For several reasons. But let’s say that the most important is that you have succeeded in discovering your Personal Legend.” The boy did not know what a person’s “Personal Legend” was. “It’s what you have always wanted to accomplish.”
Have I succeeded discovering my personal legend?
***
With the courage of an adventurer, he sells his sheep and travels to Tangier in Africa. After a thief steals all his money, he takes a job at a crystal shop and in a year earns enough money to cover his losses and return home. But still, he decides to pursue his Personal Legend.
“The hills of Andalusia were only two hours away, but there was an entire desert between him and the Pyramids. Yet the boy felt that there was another way to regard his situation: he was actually two hours closer to his treasure…”
Do I have the courage to start my journey in pursuit of my personal legend?
***
He joins a caravan to cross the desert which is full of adventures.
“He still had some doubts about the decision he had made. But he was able to understand one thing: making a decision was only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision.”
Where do I get the resilience from to continue my journey?
***
Santiago befriends with an Englishman who is passioned for knowledge and has a relentless quest to uncover the secrets of alchemy.
“You should pay more attention to the caravan,” the boy said to the Englishman, after the camel driver left. “We make a lot of detours, but we’re always heading for the same destination.” “And you ought to read more about the world,” answered the Englishman. “Books are like caravans in that respect.”
How am I gaining the wisdom during my journey?
***
While the Englishman searches for the two-hundred-year-old alchemist who resides in the desert oasis, Santiago falls in love with Fatima, who encourages him to continue his journey. With the help of the alchemist Santiago completes the last leg of his journey to the Pyramids making discoveries of the most profound kind.
“You are almost at the end of your journey,” said the alchemist. “I congratulate you for having pursued your Personal Legend.” “And you’ve told me nothing along the way,” said the boy. … “There is only one way to learn,” the alchemist answered. “It is through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey. You need to learn only one thing more.”
What else am I discovering?
***
At the end, Santiago finds out that the treasure he was looking for was waiting for him in the place least expected.
“The boy stood up shakily, and looked once more at the Pyramids. They seemed to laugh at him, and he laughed back, his heart bursting with joy. Because now he knew where his treasure was.”
Where is my treasure waiting for me?