The Book That Reminded Me To Chase My Dreams: The Alchemist

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…My warm greetings to the community…

Today, I’m feeling a little emotional and overwhelmingly grateful, so I wanted to share a personal story about a book that recently touched my heart.

The book I’m talking about is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. If you’ve never read it yet, trust me, you’re missing out on something truly magical. It’s one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve read it, and I can’t believe I hadn’t read it sooner. The way it resonates with your soul is almost surreal.

I’m in the middle of a lot right now, balancing online studies in business management and managing a small thrift business on the side. Some days it feels like I’m running on autopilot, constantly moving but not really making any progress. You know that feeling? When everything seems like one big blur, and you wonder if you’re even doing the right thing? Am I truly following my purpose? Am I on the right path?

That’s exactly how I felt, not too long ago. It was one of those days when the doubts crept in, and I was ready to throw in the towel. But then something unexpected happened. During one of my online lectures, a guest speaker casually mentioned The Alchemist. She described it as a book every dreamer should read. I didn’t think much of it at first, but something about her words stuck with me. It felt like a little nudge from the universe. As soon as the lecture ended, I couldn’t resist, I logged off and ordered the book right away.

When the book finally arrived, I dove into it immediately, and honestly, it felt like stepping into a completely different world. The Alchemist tells the story of Santiago, a young boy on a journey to find a hidden treasure. Along the way, he faces hardships, makes unexpected friends, and learns that the true treasure is not what he was originally seeking but what he discovers about himself in the process. It’s a beautiful metaphor for life itself, that sometimes the journey is far more valuable than the destination.

There’s one quote in the book that hit me like a wave: “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” I had heard this quote before, but reading it in the context of the story felt like a wake-up call. It felt like the universe was speaking directly to me. It reminded me of all the times I doubted myself and questioned my choices. The book made me realize that every step, every challenge, and even every failure I encounter is part of my personal journey, just like Santiago’s. We all have our own “Personal Legend”, our purpose in life, and every effort we make to pursue it brings us closer to our true self.

Reading The Alchemist didn’t instantly solve all my problems (I wish it could, though!), but it gave me something far more precious: strength and perspective. When I face days when my business orders are low or when I feel overwhelmed by assignments, I now have the tools to remind myself that it’s okay. I’m exactly where I need to be. I’m not failing, I’m just on my journey. And every little step, no matter how small, is moving me closer to my goals.

What really struck me was how the book made me shift my mindset. I stopped seeing my business and studies as two separate stress points. Instead, I started to view them as part of my own personal journey, my desert, if you will. Just like Santiago, I’m walking my own path, and while it’s not always easy, it’s still mine to follow. Every day is a step closer to discovering the treasure that awaits me, whether it’s in my business, my education, or even my personal growth.

I know it sounds cliché, but The Alchemist truly taught me to trust the process. It gave me the quiet strength to keep going when everything seemed uncertain. I now know that every single part of this journey, even the tough moments, is necessary for me to grow into the person I am meant to be.

So, if you’re feeling lost, stuck, or questioning your path, honestly, The Alchemist is like a warm hug from the universe. It reminded me that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be, and I have everything I need to succeed. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it. It might just be the nudge you need to keep going.

Thank you for reading my heart-to-heart. I hope this resonates with you as much as it did with me. Much love!