Alchemist Applied

I just completed a reread of the book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I have a special relationship with this book because my husband, Matt, gifted it to me six months into dating. He wrote on the front cover, citing it as a book that changed his life and understanding of the world, much like I had. I was blown away by the thoughtfulness and perception long before I even experienced the story.

When reading it for the first time, I marked sections that spoke to me with blue tabs. I remember finding the writing to be so profound and insightful. It is, admittedly, not the most enthralling tale, but the themes are timeless and irrefutable. The book is filled with the most amazing, thought-provoking quotes.

At the end of the 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins, which inspired me to get off my ass and back to it a couple of weeks ago, she pays homage to The Alchemist and shares she revisits it often over the years. When the universe speaks, listen.

So, again, I just finished The Alchemist. On this read, I went through with a green highlighter, snagging the lines that felt heavy on my chest. What was interesting to see was much of what I marked the first time didn't resonate with me this time. I also highlighted more during my reread than I did originally. This goes to show that time plays a role in our ability to receive a message.  I am a different person than I was at 23. I got what I was meant to get out of it both times.

While journaling this morning, I was mulling over the heaviness I've been feeling the last few days. Frustrated by the fact that I constantly needed to push myself and dredge through all the "right" things. Shouldn't I be feeling happier? Shouldn't things feel better? Shouldn't doing the right things come with more of a reward?

In The Alchemist, it's repeated that when you work towards your "Personal Legend," the whole universe conspires for you. I thought BULL SHIT. Anytime I work towards my Personal Legend, life beats me up and smashes me down. If it's not one thing, it's another. It feels as if the world holds a collective breath waiting to laugh at me for failing and giving up.

But as I was wreathing with all this self-pity, I was hit with another thought from the story- the principle of favorability or beginner's luck. Beginner's luck is a gift given because the universe wants us to go after our Personal Legend. We get that first dopamine hit from success to keep us going, but then it's up to us to keep after it. I've had my beginner's luck. I have felt the rush from writing, sharing, growing, and focusing. It gives me the courage to keep trying day after day, even when the days are hard.

The boy in The Alchemist is following his Personal Legend to find his treasure. He's reminded that when you first step out, excited and hungry for treasure, you're going to feel great and have some real triumphs. But in order to reach the treasure, you will be severely tested. When you follow your Personal Legend, the whole universe conspires for you.

I am following my Personal Legend to my own treasure. I am at the severely tested stage. This is not the universe conspiring against me, as I used to see it. The universe is always and forever on my side. Things are hard because I need to be reminded I can do hard things. The treasure, for me, is peace, happiness, and presence. Things will happen that will encroach upon my treasure. That's the universe's way of keeping me honest. It's giving me the opportunity to practice what I'm preaching, to walk what I talk. I get to choose again to be better and do better. And as I do, things all around me are improving so that hard days aren't as hard as they used to be. With each battle won, I am one step closer to my treasure. I am always with my treasure because it's within me. As long as I stay true to myself, my treasure can never be taken away.

"That's what alchemists do. They show that, when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too. " - Paulo Coelho