The Alchemist - a spiritual journey of life

Today I read The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. It's a short read about a boy who searches for his Personal Legend. He travels through multiple lands for his treasure and meets characters along the way who guide his path.

There are several strong themes of perseverance and following your dreams. If you never follow your dreams, you'll never know what could have been, and you'll be stuck wondering, "what if?" By following his dreams, the protagonist was able to enjoy life's treasures. Often the thought of the task is much more difficult than performing the task itself.

This book is a parable and a metaphor of the author's road of becoming a writer. It is not a silver bullet to solve any specific problems. For that, you need to make your own decisions, says the book.

One of the many things I liked about this book is the mysteriousness of the Alchemist. This character appears to the protagonist with the power of God. As the protagonist endures trials through the desert, the Alchemist gives the protagonist clues on how he may too find the truths of the world. For me, I enjoyed the inspirational story more than the message. While it is still fresh in my mind, who know's the lasting effects it may have on me?

"The journey of 1000 steps begins with the a single step". Pick up this widely successful book and read the first page.