by Paolo Coelho. It’s one of those pivotal books for young people searching for meaning and direction in life. Coelho uses the story of a poor shepard with a desire for more meaning to preach for people to follow their passions, to have faith in the validity of their dreams, to face obstacles and overcome them, and to be wary of the lure of a comfortable life. The ensuing years have dampened my enthusiasm for the book (and reading some of Coelho’s other stuff has made me reconsider how much of a genius I think he is!) and I find it less compelling now than I once did – not unlike how Before Sunrise was a profound movie when you were 20, but somehow became a waste of two hours if you watch it when you’re 30.I don’t want to give the impression that I think the messages in the Alchemist are bunk. I don’t. I still really appreciate many of the ideas in the book, especially the one of following your passions, and I like to think that I try to live my life that way. I do really believe that things will just go your way if you continue to pursue your dreams, if you chase your passions full-on instead of ignoring or suppressing them like our society today often implores us to do. In the Alchemist, good things happen when you are on the path of your passions, and bad things happen when you aren’t – sort of like a cosmic karma claus who knows when you’re being a pushover or being passionate. Too often we succumb to practicality and don’t go after what we really want, but I think for those who do go after what they want, good luck, good opportunities, and good things just happen to help them along.
Okay, it’s getting all new-agey spiritual and stuff now, and while I think there’s an aspect of that to it, there is also a logical explanation. I think passion inspires people, and when people meet someone with real passion, pursuing something they really love or believe in, they want to be involved, to touch that passion, and to be connected to those feelings. Thus, doors open, connections are offered, and good things happen. A fellow traveler and aspiring writer that I met in Morocco a couple years ago, MJ, is just one example of this. He set off on a 14-month trip around the world, with his sister and a traditional Korean outfit stuffed into his backpack, with the goal of traveling the world, taking pictures in traditional dress at famous landmarks, and then writing a travel book for Koreans. It was a risk, but he took it. Within the first four months, he met another Korean while traveling in South America who was taken by MJ’s story and just happened to involved in publishing in Korea. All of a sudden, MJ had funding and a promise of a book contract.
I’ve heard stories like these over and over again, and it reinforces my belief that good things really do happen when you do things that you love. On this trip, I haven’t seen anything huge happen yet, but I have had my fair share of positive encounters and friendly people, and I can’t help but feel like this might be because I am doing something I believe in and people can feel it. Now, maybe I can meet Oprah on a plane or something. One can always dream right?
Ed.s note: mis-spelled Paulo Coelho's name in the original entry. Thanks to Silvia for pointing it out.
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