The Alchemist

I’ve been meaning to read this book forever and you’ve just inspired me to finally pick up a copy. Thanks!

I’ve heard great thing about Paulo Coelho’s books and I want to read them.

I don’t know if I would call it a sign but four weeks ago I ran into a guy I met on Twitter who does marketing and he asked me how I was doing. He knew I was laid off during the summer from my retail job and that I started doing photography. I said I was feeling lost and he told me to meet him for coffee the next day. I did and since have become a client of his and he’s helping me build my business and my brand and I finally have an idea of what I’m doing with myself. That random encounter set my life off in the right path.

now I want to re-read that book, I remember loving years ago when I read it first.

I love that book; my mom gave it to me when I was about 15, and I read it in an afternoon
There’s something really special about the way Coelho writes…

my brother first read that book in like 6 or 7th grade and told me to since he thought it was amazing (school actually made him read it. haha)

failure is a big fear…but the only thing to fear is fear itself. Sometimes, we’re too scared to try – to say that we tried and failed but…the whole falling down 7x and getting up the 8th is what is life is about. It’s about taking risks and saying – its OK to fail. to fall. b/c you’ll get back up again. (its what we’re supposed to do in life and in love)

I really enjoyed The Alchemist too. I’m actually re-reading it in Spanish now – much slower this time around. After I finished it, I made the joke that it changed my life forever and convinced me to take a year off to travel… but oh wait… I already did that. In all seriousness, it’s a great book and so many awesome quotes!

brittanny: Yes, this is exactly what I am talking about! You took the chance and met him…and everything else is falling into place for you.

Recently, someone I care about drifted away and I didn’t know when I would ever see them again. I stepped out for a late client meeting hours past the time I normally take my lunch and on the way back, realized I’d forgotten my coat. I NEVER forget this coat…it’s very sentimental to me. As I was racing back to our lunch spot, the thought crossed my mind that this was happening for a reason.

On the way back, I got a call and it was this person, who’d spotted me down the street and offered me a ride. If I hadn’t forgotten my coat, they would have never seen me. Everything lined up as it should and thanks to my mistake, we got to see each other for a few minutes.

Amy: Agreed. Sometimes you have to fail and sometimes you have to lose everything to realize what you had. Life has a funny way of teaching us lessons sometimes.

Powered by Tofu: Haha, subconsciously you already knew what you had to do!

I read The Alchemist years ago and it made me think. But I was too nervous to try anything. Only later did I realized that I just have to do what I want to do. So I started applying for conferences, taking up graphic design assignments and I recently started making and selling jewelry (since I’ve always loved fashion and such). So far, I’ve managed to present at Harvard and Oxford, have a fairly stable freelancing career, and my jewelry sales are picking up steam! Next up, I’m going to set up a webpage and start a shop. And there are so many other things I want to do!

read it. loved it. value that book. its a must read for sure
if u love books like that
try reading a book called ‘ a fine balance’ i guarantee its an amazing read, although much longer then the alchemist

I read this book when I was 16 & it changed the way I saw the world. I often pick it back up though & re-read it, as I find it teaches me something new every time.

The Alchemy is pure magic. Have you read “The Camino” by Shirley Macfarlane?

This is one of my favorite books too! I am inspired to re-read it. I also read it in Spanish, like Tofu, much slower. I once was camping in the woods in the middle of nowhere in Wyoming with a copy of this book in Spanish and I ran into a lost Spanish-speaking sheep herder. Seriously. I had to help him find his way. Talk about signs and chance events!

Hey Nubby,

The Alchemist is surely a good read. You might also like “Warrior of the Light” by Coelho. It’s a collection of wise sayings about living your Personal Legend.

I’m a fairly logical person, but whenever I get a gut feeling or see something as a sign, I act on it. Even if it didn’t work out how I expected, I can honestly say I have never been disappointed. Acting with courage based on what your heart is telling you is scary, but danger and failure are better than never trying at all.

I’ve studied psychology for years and one of the most valuable things I learned is that we tend to remember (with regret) not taking risks more than we remember how we tried and then failed. Paralyzing fear haunts us more than falling flat on our face.

I am surprised that so many people here agree that Coelho’s books are awesome. His prose is, of course, popular where I come from (Poland) but most of my friends (and myself, too) were greatly disappointed with ‘Alchemist’ and any other Coelho’s books. But I guess it depends on your interests. I used to study literature and most of people I know had something to do with literature at one point or another, so maybe we have different point of view. I’m not telling that you don’t know what you’re talking about, of course. books are for readers and you are one and if you liked it and it helped you in some way – that’s wonderful, that’s what books are for! I’m just surprised that there’s noone here that would have a different opinion:)

I love that quote. I’ll have to read that book. Very inspiring.

I love Paulo Coehlo and the deep meaning behind his books this really was a good review of The Alchemist.. It’s an amazing book and a good reminder there are signs we come across everyday and we should not ignore them.

This is the first time I comment on your blog but I’m a big follower I’m studying graphic design and I love it. U truly inspire me thank U

I agree with you, zannie. I never really liked his books eiter. I guess it does depend on the personality and background, and it is often loved by those, who have not been taken to fiction and this type of spirituality before. Good, no doubt about that, but definitely not for me.

I bought this book years ago and never read it. I recently took it off the bookshelf, but still have not read it. Today, I told myself I would, but instead got on the computer.
After this blog, I must read it!!
I am recently unemployed after leaving a career and I have no idea what to do next in life. I turned 33 on Sunday, and the thought that he didn’t write it til 38 gives me hope!

I’ve never read this book, but, I was always brought up in a very magical, sorta mystical, hispanic-kinda way. I wonder if it’ll resonate with the sort of things I was always taught to pay attention to and consider and such. I’ll have to give it a read at some point, when I’m not so backlogged on books!

I loved this book! A quick read and a great recommendation! It’s self help in disguise of fiction!

Oh, you’ve hit it on the head by saying that this book contains magic within its pages. I don’t care for a lot of the inspirational stuff out there, but this book ought to be required reading for everyone.

This is one of my favorite books of all time, and I also kicked myself for not reading it before. I also got the audio copy of it and listen to it once in a while.

I love the alchemist. I usually re-read it every 6 months or so. I think it’s time to pick it up again!

Christine: That story has always stuck with me. I will never, ever forget it!

Zannie: To each their own. I personally don’t read many books and never fiction so I liked that this was a quick and easy read full of some major lessons. I like the simplicity of Coelho’s style and found great comfort in his words.

Leanna: There is always, always, always hope. Carry that with you. Reading this book, having hope, listening to your heart and accepting the signs you see will all help you.

melissa dominic: I am sure that it will speak to you. It has power in its simplicity.

sarah: Agreed.

Leigh @ Constant Cravings: I can’t believe that I let 3 years slip by between readings; I feel like all the lessons are so fresh in my head again.

Last year, I was feeling my mortality and thinking a lot about my grandfather, who was awesome and intelligent, everything I think of when I think of what a man should be. I was small when he passed away, but he used to talk about me going to law school (he never finished). I never did catch that bug, but 3 years after getting a degree, I was second-guessing my life in all kinds of ways. And, missing my grandfather a lot, wondering if he would be disappointed in my choices.

Something I always thought I did well was writing. I wrote for years, never showing a soul. When someone finally convinced me to publish my poems, I shocked myself. When they were accepted several times, I was even more shocked. My fiance (now husband) took me out to celebrate at a local Irish pub. On the way there, in the car, I happened to say,”I think Bup would be proud of me.” He agreed. The restaurant was busy and we waited a bit before being seated… Right next to a giant O’Shea coat of arms– his last name.

It was definitely a sign. And I’m still writing.

after reading the alchemist, I know the importance, meaning and value of transforming any metal into gold.
shortly after, I learned how to make soup from a stone.
alchemy is becoming very enlightening and helpful to me. thanks for suggesting such a great book.

This was a good book, although not as life-altering as some people had described it to me. It taught me how to listen to what’s the universe is telling me, even though I don’t necessarily believe in ‘omens’.

Catherine: This is a really touching story. Your grandpa must be so proud. I love it when these things happen!

antwan: Hahaha! I love that you’re now having dreams about turning lead into gold while at Disney! Seems quite fitting.

Doe Deere: I think it also matters where you are in your life when you read The Alchemist. For me, the first time I read it around the age of 25, it was good. Now, at 28, it feels so much more powerful. I think that there are some things in life that happen to us that can’t be fully explained and embracing these signs will help us along our path.

Wonderful book =] my professor reccomended it to me, and it never leaves my car.

I left my job at the end of the summer and am in the process of working toward something new and more exciting. I think it is time for a re-read of this beauty.Thanks for reminding me!

It’s interesting that you posted this when you did, I just finished reading this book 3 days ago or so, and have been looking at things in a more open way since…Thanks for the reminder that we’re all connected to the soul of the world and that all we need to do is listen!

I just wanted to come back and tell you that I just read the book. It was pretty powerful. Reading that and Gary Vaynerchuk’s Crush It a couple of weeks ago have set me on the right path of following my dreams and accomplishing something no matter how scared I might be.

I remember reading this entry when you first posted it and thinking to myself “Yeah…I should probably read that book.”
Anyway, I quickly forgot about it until the weekend when I caught up for breakfast with a friend. He had The Alchemist sitting in his car, and later on that day when he’d finished it, he came over to drop it off at my place.
Definitely a good read so far. Thanks for sharing.

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