I have like 5 or 6 books that I read every year. One of them is The Alchemist. I’ve actually been reading this one twice a year because like I’ve said I need constant reminders of who God is and what better way to receive them than through my favorite pastime. Every read reveals something different outside of the universe conspiring to help you achieve your personal legend. This time it was the ending.
I paid very close attention to the story line. Yes, the book is filled with gems and I’ll share some of my favorite quotes in a second but I was interested in how Coelho set the story up. Each character had a back story so we weren’t left in the dark as to what role they played in Santiago’s life and we also got to see their life story and how eventually the worlds intertwined and propelled each other forward. Like with the glass shop owner and even Fatima. He came through and enhanced their lives as he was trying to achieve what he set out to do. All of the mishaps and failures and pain were important for him to discover the treasure. The time and effort and lessons along the way are what made it worth it though. What I found truly interesting too was how he got too a point where he was actually content without getting the treasure. The journey had been that fulfilling and rewarding that the treasure was the cherry on top.
So of course after reading I became self-reflective because that’s something the Lord has blessed me with in this old age. I realized that I need to learn to enjoy the journey. And I’ll stop there.
Okay. Quotes.
“They were seeking the treasure of their Personal Legend, without wanting to actually live out the Personal Legend.”
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and eternity.”
“What you still need to know is this: before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we’ve learned as we’ve moved toward that dream.” (PASS THE TESTS SO YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD.)
“Don’t give in to your fears… If you do, you won’t be able to talk to your heart.”
This book is like a 200+ page sermon. Nothing but gems.
Randomness That Has Nothing to Do With Anything:
- I started watching Gilmore Girls again because I enjoy watching white people on television and I needed some semblance of joy in my life.
- Have you ever been upset that you didn’t check someone for crossing one of your boundaries but you really couldn’t be mad at them because it was your fault for being passive?
- I really like concerts. I went to JMBLYA (a music festival) this past weekend and was by myself for like 2 hours and had a blast. Sober and all. I danced and rapped by myself until my friends came. I may be on to something with this no alcohol thing. Side note: we Houstonians don’t appreciate Trae and Bun B like we should.
- If you are signed up for the newsletter, you’ll recall how I read a fellow colleague via email. Now while you would think I would’ve grown from that situation based on that moving newsletter, ya girl was on the brink of backsliding. Clearly, y’all haven’t been praying for me. But I’m going to pass the test this time!
- Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas and tell y’all mamas I said happy Mother’s Day. I can’t wait to see y’all selfies on Sunday lol.
Peace. I’m out this joint.
