Log #5

Book: The Alchemist

Author: Paulo Coelho

Strange you may think when seeing the name of this book, actually it is filled with spiritual inspirations. It's a book about self-discovery, about pursuing your dreams, about finding your inner powers and strengths through talking to your hearts. When I was in senior high school, I have already read the Chinese version of this book. I remembered I didn't quite understand what the author tried to say. Consequently, I considered the book too profound to read. However, despite the fact that I had difficulty realizing the metaphor, there was one sentence hit my heart and has become one of my mottos even today: When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieving it. It is this encouraging sentence that assists me to go through the time when I wanted to give up.

A boy named Santiago wanted to travel and discover the world when he was young, so instead of being a priest what he's father had wished, he becomes a shepherd. One day, he had the same dream trwice. He dreamed that a child took him to Egyptian pyramid and told him if he comes here he would find the hidden treasures. He consulted an old Gyptian woman who specializes in interpreting dreams. The woman told him to go find the treasure, and he would become a rich man, but the boy didn't buy her explanation. Later on, he came across an elderly claiming himself the King of Salem. He was of wisdom, knowing everything about Santiago, and he encouraged the boy to go on the trip exploring the hidden treasure. Then, the trip and the future unfolds.

The second time reading this book actually makes me ponder much more than the first time. I guess it is because my mind is more mature. While reading, I found many things worth chewing over. For instance, the boy said that his sheep "were content with just food and water, and in exchange, they generously gave of the wool, their company. They trust me, and they've forgotten how to rely on their own instincts because I lead them to nourishment." I think the sheep sometimes just like us when we are used to staying in a comfort zone where it provides food, the sense of security, and the sense of belonging, we, in fact, give up the opportunity to discover the adventurous world. We usually choose to do things we are good at but fear of trying new ones, for we hate failure and sadness. Little do we know, it is the venturous attitude that leads us to happiness. Trying isn't scary; not knowing what we will encounter is the point. That's the truth of life. We try. We fail. We get up. And we live. I think most people know it but we just don't have the bold heart to carry out. 

Another thing kept me thinking is "Personal Legend". The book described personal legend as things we have always wanted to do accomplish. When we were young, we knew what your personal legends were. Nevertheless, when we grew up, the world lied by telling us that we lost control of our lives and they became controlled by fate. I think the world didn't lie to us. The reason why we feel like giving up is because when we were children, we hadn't acknowledged the negative things in the society. All we have is a simple confidence. As time went by, we started to experience all kinds of obstacles, dilemmas, and failure. All those experiences made us lose our confidence, so we became to let the destiny take over our lives. The biggest change in our life between childhood and adulthood is losing the pure confidence, the fearless spirit. Somehow, it connected the similar idea what I have mentioned in the previous paragraph. Destiny or fate is commonly used to be an excuse for stepping out our comfort zones and fulfill our personal legends. 

One of my weaknesses is also stepping out the comfort zone. However, I manage to break this bad habit by choosing to be a missionary during my college. Someone thinks I could have waited until my graduation. However, deep inside my heart knows this is the better timing. Putting my happy and carefree life aside now may be pity, but I also know God will reward me by giving me tons of blessings, and I will definitely benefit a lot. I'm grateful for having the chance to read this book before my mission. Can't wait to be a part of Santiago's journey.