The Most Inspiring Book(TheAlchemist)
Books are the widest source of knowledge. From building your vocabulary to reducing stress, preventing age-related cognitive decline and increasing your ability to empathize, reading books is an easy way to look after your mind and body. Not only do they help us relate the stories to real-life incidents but they even take us to our memories. Books have the power to transport us to new worlds and different times. Books help us to see the world without moving. ‘If you don’t like to read, you haven’t yet found the right book.’ Has been well said by J.K. Rowling. One should read a book that he really likes to but more than that he/she should use the book as a medium of inspiration, medium of gaining knowledge and a medium of exploring things. Books do not snore so always take a good book with you to bed. Even I am a book lover and therefore, I have read a lot of books. Few were really interesting and heart touching whereas others were just good imaginations. Today, I would like to talk about a book that has inspired me the most and taught me to deal with day to day problems in a simple manner. It has been very ingenious to me. Moreover, the book has given may hope and knowledge to survive even the darkest moments of life.
The book is The Alchemist, published in 1988 and, written by a Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. It has been written effectively to convey the deepest meanings. Revolving around the life of a shepherd, it is a masterpiece of optimism in the toughest days of a man’s life.
The book attracts the readers through various motivational quotes like There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure, the simple things are also the most extraordinary things and only the wise can see them.” These quotes are not just limited to the text but they actually have a deep internal meaning. The real inspiration in this book has been the stunning adventures of Santiago.
At the start of the story, Santiago is introduced as a shepherd who is sleeping beneath a sycamore tree and has a dream of gold and buried treasure under a pyramid in Egypt. He meets a prophet on his way back home and is informed that the treasure id real and Santiago must find it. He, therefore, crosses the vast Sahara Desert and reaches an oasis wherein he meets a black coated person sitting on a white horse. He journeys with the man to the pyramid and starts excavating the place. He is beaten and robbed by two robbers one of which asks why he was doing this on which Santiago describes his dream. The robber gets surprised to have had the same dream and tells Santiago to search for the treasure in the church (where he was dreaming).
The story is a simple one but the things told to Santiago on the journey by the person who is an actually an Alchemist is quite interesting. These are the few motivational and life-changing thoughts and sayings from the book:
1. Fear is a bigger obstacle than the obstacle itself. Any new pursuit requires entering uncharted territory —
which is scary. But with any great risk comes great reward. The experiences you gain in pursuing your dream will make it all worthwhile.
2. What is “true” will always endure Truth cannot be hidden like a veil. It is the one which always stands firm but can be achieved only if you are searching for the right decision.
3. Focus on your own journey It’s easy to be influenced by others, but you’ll be miserable if you end up living someone else’s life. It is necessary to create an individuality rather than duplicating it. There’s nothing wrong with taking advice and learning from others, but make sure it aligns with your desires and passions.
4. Notice the changes
It is necessary to recognize the signs your destiny gives you before a particular event is going to happen. There are always some signs involved in it. If you can capture that, you win.
5. Always take action “There is only one way to learn. It’s through action.” You can study, read, and listen until you turn blue in the face, but the actual fun and experience are when you pull the trigger that is when you start implementing it and co-relating it with your problems.
These are the main things that I learnt from ‘The Alchemist’. My life deeds are based on these simple principles and I am greatly influenced by this great book. Therefore, I would like to end by saying that if you have the determination to work hard and the aim to achieve, the whole world will conspire to help you to achieve it.
