I have been meaning to read this book since I was in college and that was about 5 years ago. All of my classmates
and friends are talking about it all the time,so I was curious what's in this tiny book. I'm not really a fan of philosophical books, not that I'm saying that this book is such. But at that time, I've gotten the impression that this book is something like that. So whenever I would go to a bookstore, I'm always checking out this book, but never did I plan to buy it. Maybe I can just borrow from someone, I thought back then. Years stretched, and I've lost contact of my friends whose somewhat captivated by its magic.
When I got married and had my daughter, things changed dramatically. I have to stop working for a while and stay at home. One day, when we went to the mall, we've passed by a bookstore. My husband told me that he needs to buy something, so we went in. There again, I saw the book that has intrigued me for years. Right there and then, I know that it's about time I should read it. I bought it finally, to my husbands amazement.
Once I started reading the first few pages of "The
Alchemists", I just could not put it down until I'm finished reading the last page. Undeniably the book is a brilliant masterpiece of literature. And the author, Paulo Coelho is awesome, he was a truly gifted person. He was able to touch the innermost aspirations and dreams of his readers. With every turn of page, I found myself falling in love with that work of art. Never did a single moment bored me nor do I got tired of the things being discussed. It talked about change, love, destiny, courage and life among others in the most profound way I've never encountered.
Let me outline all the precious lessons I've learned from "The Alchemists"
- Sometimes you aren't capable of knowing yourself until you fully tried to get out of your limitations and expectations.
- Never give up a dream no matter how difficult it is. If your life depends on that certain aspiration, work and focus on obtaining it. Don't let frustrations and fears overcome you, be courageous enough.
- Turn every diffulties into an opportunity. Think of it as an opportunity to change and embrace it, as it will make thing better than ever.
- The Universe will speak to you through signs and omens. Learn to recognize them and they will surely lead them to wear you ought to be.
- The people and everything around you will teach you many things, learn how to listen.
- Do things in the right time. Stop worrying too much. Eat when it's time to eat and move along when it's time to move along.
- Love is indeed the
language of the soul. The only thing that can be understood despite language barriers, culture, time and distance.
Aside from those things that I have outlined above, another interesting aspect of the book is how it shows us how it is to be a real traveler. I have heard a quote on a certain television show that goes like this " A good traveler is the one who doesn't have a plan on where he intends to go". Just like the shepherd boy on the novel, he doesn't have a plan where to go exactly. As he stays in one place he learns to love it, but as the time comes that he needs to go, he sees his destination as an another adventure and learning opportunites.
"The Alchemists" is truly a gem for everyone. It will teach you many valuable things in life that we haven't discovered yet. After reading it, one would surely be a different person, with different insights about life and everything on it.