I’ve read The Alchemist before, about a decade ago. I re-read it recently out of pure chance as it randomly popped up in my head. The story is a classic, it tugs on so many different emotions of mine, the desire for adventure, the search for a purpose and/or treasure (are they the same?), love, the supernatural, and the people you meet along the way.
I believe that all men have an innate desire for adventure and exploration. I think the reason that this book came back to me is my recent adventures backpacking in Europe and traveling around the states. Many of us suppress that part of ourselves, sometimes for good reasons, such as family, community, or job responsibilities, and other times for less noble reasons, like fear, self-denial, or heeding the discouragement of others. I believe that all men should answer the call to explore at least once in their lives and this book reaffirms my belief.
Men, too, are on a path, searching for their treasure, or as Coelho describes it, their “personal legend.” At some point, we must decide how we want to live our lives and take actions to place ourselves on the path we’ve chosen. This is a daunting proposition because, once the choice is made, it’s difficult to turn back. In fact, this is one of life’s greatest challenges. It’s much easier to avoid making the decision entirely, coasting through life while bypassing both failure and the fulfillment of your personal legend. Santiago’s heart, which seeks to protect him from hurt and disappointment, serves as a perfect analogy for this idea. Making the hard choice to pursue your purpose, whether you call it your personal legend, passion, life’s mission, or something else, is incredibly difficult. There’s always the risk of failure, and you lose the ability to comfort yourself with excuses like, “If I had tried to fulfill my personal legend, I would have succeeded; I just didn’t apply myself.” It’s a binary decision. One passage in the book particularly resonated with me: Santiago must give up 10% of everything he owns to pursue his personal legend (to the King he first meets in Africa). That moment struck a chord because it mirrors how I feel now, as if I’m giving up 10% of my life’s savings to pursue this new life. And wow, is it a difficult decision to make.
“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” This might be the quote from the book that resonated with me most deeply. Love inspires me to become healthier, more intelligent, and a better man overall. These feelings make me want to exercis more, write more, read more, learn more, and engage positively with my community. Feelings of love have caused me to grow in ways I hadn’t before. It seems that the true purpose of love is to transform us into better versions of ourselves.
While many believe that Jesus or God resides within each of us, The Alchemist suggests that the soul of God exists not only in humans but also in the sun, the wind, and the earth. In pursuing our personal legend, we undergo a spiritual transformation, gaining a deeper understanding of God and the world around us and, in doing so, we too can perform miracles. Perhaps not as fantastical as turning ourselves into the wind to destroy an encampment of soldiers, but through trials and tribulations, we come to understand ourselves and the world more profoundly. With this greater understanding of ourselves, God, and the world, we are empowered to make a more positive impact.
Santiago meets many characters on his journey to the pyramids, each leaving a significant impact on his thoughts and decisions. Throughout the book, he frequently recalls the wisdom shared by those he encountered, shaping his judgment in ways that couldn’t have been achieved otherwise. Similarly, I’ve met many wonderful and influential people in my life who have had a lasting effect on me and the choices I’ve made. Some people have a lot to say, and it’s often wise to listen, as there may be nuggets of insight that stay with you for a lifetime. For me, this aspect of The Alchemist left an indelible impression. It has made me much more willing to listen, especially to those who, at first glance, might seem like they have nothing valuable to offer.
Overall, love the book, hope you enjoyed these notes. 4.9/5