The Alchemist, 1.

I read Paulo Coelho’s, The Alchemist, for the first time 2 years ago in my World Religions class, and it is a book that has stayed with me.  This time through, one of the things that stuck out to me the most was the notion of dreams as presented in this book.  Through Santiago and the people he encounters on his journey, dreams are presented as necessary in order to have purpose in life.  Furthermore, it inspired me to witness how one can make or break his or her own destiny.  Anyone can have a dream or a goal, but that is only the beginning.  One must have the desire and strength to execute it, and be capable of picking themselves up after the inevitable hardships that come on the journey.  Having an end in sight, while not knowing the path to get to that end, is incredibly scary.  However, like Santiago, it is necessary to forge ahead and to continue to make choices, even if you do not know the certain answer.  It is hopeful to imagine the world, as Colelho portrays it, as wanting you to succeed on your quest towards your destiny.