Have You Already Found Your Treasure? | My Review of "The Alchemist" Book by Paulo Coelho

Happy Saturday Hivers!

While I was working in a Japanese firm, I had a close colleague who was an avid reader. She was the one who encouraged me to venture into various book genres after noticing my inclination towards romance novels. Ah, I've always cherished the delightful sensation of being captivated by such stories.

One day, while we were walking on our way to our apartment, she asked me if I had already read 'The Alchemist' book by Paulo Coelho. Upon learning that the book was unfamiliar to me, I could see the sparkle in her eyes as she suggested I give the book a try. "Ay dili gyud ka magmahay ana", she said in our own dialect. (You won't regret it). She mentioned that she had read the book multiple times because she loved how the writer incorporated inspirational and powerful messages.

When she shared with me the writer's view on the journey of self-discovery and the pursuit of dreams, she quoted the writer, saying, "It's a force that appears to be negative, but actually shows you how to realize your destiny. It prepares your spirit and your will because there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth." That intrigued me, and I became eager to delve into the pages of that book.

Honestly, after reading that book, I became addicted to the writer's powerful and inspirational messages. I found myself revisiting it multiple times, yearning to absorb those messages into my mind. This book holds a special place in my heart, as most of the people Santiago (the protagonist of the book) meets along his journey help me acquire wisdom. Here are some of the interesting people he had met who have a great impact on his journey.

When Santiago asked, "What's the world's greatest lie?" A man who introduced himself as Melchizedek, the King of Salem, replied, "At a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what is happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That is the world's greatest lie." But Santiago was adamant to himself that it would never happen to him and never would. While his parents wanted him to become a priest, he decided to become a shepherd as he wanted to travel and realized his dream.

I remember during the pandemic, my self-confidence faded away when the business went bankrupt. Desperation greatly affected me during that time. Despite feeling defeated, I remained determined to secure a job. Unfortunately, I received no positive feedback on my applications. Eventually, I began to accept the fact that perhaps it was my fate and I had no control over it. Depression started to engulf me as I desperately needed a job to support my daily needs and ensure my survival. Despite applying for months, I still couldn't land one.

One time, I shared my jobless situation with a friend, and his words have lingered in my mind ever since. He told me that sometimes we are the ones who create our own destiny. His statement was truly life-changing. That night, I found myself pondering what I truly wanted. It was then that I remembered something I had written in my notebook back in 2018: "I will write an article about my life journey." At that moment, I realized that I could change my destiny. Despite being a newbie on the hive blockchain, I made the decision to travel and create travel blogs for hive, aiming to earn enough to sustain myself. And believe me, I was able to change my fate by pursuing travel. I earned by creating blogs on Hive.

And since then just like Santiago, I firmly believed that such a fate would never befall me. I had the unwavering belief that I possessed the power to change my life. Although it wasn't an easy journey, I held onto my determination and self-trust. As the writer said, "And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."

The book emphasizes that the treasure is not limited to material possessions but also encompasses knowledge and wisdom, highlighting that the true treasure lies within oneself.

As a reader, I was filled with exhilaration with every flip of the pages as Santiago's journey to the Egyptian Pyramid unfolded. The people he met along the way had interesting and unique life stories. Each of us is unique, which is why we have distinct desires and preferences, just like the crystal merchant whom Santiago encountered during his journey. The crystal merchant didn't want to realize his dream because he was afraid that if it came true, he would have no reason to go on living. His dream was to go to Mecca, but he never went there because, in his view, it was the thought of Mecca that kept him alive.

But when Santiago meets the Alchemist, he expects the man to teach him about transforming lead into gold. To his surprise, the man didn't teach him about alchemy; instead, he imparted wisdom about the Soul of the World. When Santiago asks, 'Why do we have to listen to our hearts?' the man responds, 'Because wherever your heart is, that is where you'll find your treasure.'

"The Alchemist" teaches readers that the pursuit of dreams and the journey towards self-discovery are more important than material possessions. I highly recommend this book, especially to those who want to realize their dreams. For those who have not read it yet, just give it a try; who knows, it might be the book you've always wanted to read.

Thank you for reading and see you on my next blog. Cheers!

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Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.

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