The Alchemist

My daughter completed her second exam i.e., science and I once again accompanied her to the centre and had the opportunity to wait for 3 hours; till she completes and then bring her back home. These 3 hours was a blessing to me. I picked up a book “The Alchemist” written by Paul Coelho.

This book has 161 pages, an Indian print easy to read and has two sections Part 1 and Part 2. I read this book before once and put it back on the shelf, as I felt it boring. This was the second time I read again; I got so engrossed and hooked to this book that I completed it and was happy to have spent my time reading. This time I read slowly and underlined whatever inspired me and made me think. 

This book speaks about the journey of shepherd boy who dreams of a treasure and listening to his heart, take risks and finds his own destiny.

A few lines from this book, which is worth reflecting:

“Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”  “To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only real obligation”

We can get easily influenced by those around us; but the focus must be on our own journey. Otherwise we will end up living someone else’s life, which will destroy the purpose for which we were created for. Each of us have our own destiny and its for us to find that purpose in life.

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

“You must always know what it is that you want.”

It’s important to keep searching and exploring to find what it is that we want, in order to set goals in our lives…so that we spend our time and energy in pursuing what we love. When we truly and sincerely seek, the whole universe conspire to make things happen in our lives.

“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.”

Hence take the risk of moving into the unknown and make that decision, otherwise life would become a monotony, and there will be nothing new to learn and grow. The decision which we make will provide us with opportunities to take adventurous path and achieve what we have never dreamt of.

 “Its only those who are persistent, and willing to study things deeply, who achieve the Master’s work.”

Don’t give up and do not lose faith; continue to rise and keep moving on in the journey of life, as the quote says, the greatest glory is not in never falling but rising every time we fall.

“I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present.” If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man.”..

 “Forget about the future, and live each day according to the teachings, confident that God loves His children……..” Each day, in itself, brings with it an eternity”

Living in the present will keep us happy and prevent us from worrying about the past and getting anxious about the future.

 “Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him”….

“Don’t give in to your fears,” “If you do, you won’t be able to talk to your heart.”“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure”.

Fear is the only thing that stops us from moving into the unknown territory, not allowing us to follow our hearts desire. Believe in yourself; and believe in the beauty of your own dreams and there is a treasure that awaits all ..

“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

When we succeed in getting better; everything around us changes too, giving us confidence and courage to explore giving us a brand new experience and the ability to see the same things with wonder and awe.