Hey you, I’m sorry I’ve been out of it and MIA. I know I’ve missed our last two meetings but I’ve been doing some thinking. I know I should have said something - I’ve explained more below – join me there later? I’d like to explain to you properly.
Anyway, here we are – I’m glad you came.
Sometimes I worry that I have nothing to say to you. I know it’s stupid to feel like this but I can’t help it.
But I always appreciate you popping by and I really do enjoy these meetings with you.
Today I thought I’d talk about one of my favourite authors – the writer Paulo Coelho. For the life of me I still can’t pronounce his last name properly – yeah, this is the stuff I worry about.
The very first book I read by him is The Alchemist
It touched me but I didn’t know why at the time. Like most people, I read the novel and didn’t think about it much other than if I heard someone mention it, I would find myself recommending it saying it was a great read – without really thinking much else about it.
Recently I read The Witch of Portobello 
So I looked into why it had touched me so much. Anything – be it book, film, music, painting etc – that has a big impact on me must get to me emotionally. Sometimes something is clever and well-done and I recognize it on a mental level. But it’s the things that touch me emotionally – sometimes without me understanding why – that affects me more.
Is this the same with you?
There is something about Paulo Coelho’s writing that transports me away from this world to a personal place somewhere else and then back again to see the world in a different way.
I found this on Paulo Coelho’s website where the author talks about the book The Alchemist and wanted to share it with you.
What’s the secret behind such a huge success?
The only honest response is: I don’t know. All I know is that, like Santiago the shepherd boy, we all need to be aware of our personal calling. What is a personal calling? It is God’s blessing, it is the path that God chose for you here on Earth. Whenever we do something that fills us with enthusiasm, we are following our legend. However, we don’t all have the courage to confront our own dream.
Why?
There are four obstacles. First: we are told from childhood onwards that everything we want to do is impossible. We grow up with this idea, and as the years accumulate, so too do the layers of prejudice, fear and guilt. There comes a time when our personal calling is so deeply buried in our soul as to be invisible. But it’s still there.
I think this is true to some extent. From an early age until your late twenties, you’re tend to follow what society and family expects of you. After that, there are times when you question your life and wonder if it’s what you want.
If we have the courage to disinter dream, we are then faced by the second obstacle: love. We know what we want to do, but are afraid of hurting those around us by abandoning everything in order to pursue their dream. We do not realize that love is just a further impetus, not something that will prevent them going forwards. We do not realize that those who genuinely wish us well want us to be happy and are prepared to accompany us on that journey.
This is what I believe true love is. True love is not selfish, possessive or limiting. Receiving true love from someone feels as if there are wings underneath you supporting you when you feel the weakest and giving you the extra boost when you need it. If I love someone I want them to follow their dreams, their bliss and of course I want to share and be with them every step of the way but even if it means they do it without me – true love means wanting what is best for them – even if the best for them is without me.
You look tired. More tomorrow? See you then.
What do you think?
Are you living someone else’s dream?
Have you ever loved someone enough to let them follow their dream, without you?
Leave a comment. It’s good to know.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – Your Dreams, Love and Thoughts (Part 1)
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – Your Dreams, Failure and Thoughts (Part 2)
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – Your Dreams, Diversions and Thoughts (Part 3)
Chuck Sambuchino – An Interview: Published Book, Writing and a Writer’s Life (Part 1)
Chuck Sambuchino – An Interview: Published Book, Writing and a Writer’s Life (Part 2)
Sean Ferrell – The Author Talks About Writing
Sean Ferrell – The Author Talks About Numb the Character
Sean Ferrell – The Author Talks About the Book Trailer Numb
“When you find yourself stressed, ask yourself one question: Will this matter five years from now? If yes, then do something about the situation. If no, then let it go.”
Catherine Pulsifer – Writer
CURRENT STATUS: Reminder, Motivator and Review Meeting (Read on if you want to join me in my Corporation of One meeting)
What l have learnt:
- Who Do You Think You Are (via C Hope Clark’s blog). Some ideas of bios.
- Why Does Chris Brogan Refer to Himself in The Third Person?
What I am doing or have done/decided:
- Reading Charlotte Gray still.
- I’ve decided to reduce blog posts to two a week and the days will be flexible to make time for working 9-5 again; editing my first novel Insomniac Foetus; and starting to think about my third novel.
- Instead of hiding away to write, I’ve decided to go out into the world and experience and still write – to write is to live first – that’s why I’m working 9-5 again so I can go through my bucket list.
WORD COUNT:
Night Walker 159,000 words. Finished. Leaving to marinate.
Insomniac Foetus Ready to edit. Having a break before I start.
The Alchemist sounds intriguing. I’m always up for reading things that make me “think”!
We all are prone to get trapped by the spectre of “making a living” or “getting by” instead of “living our dream”, but did you ever think that the truth could be that “our dream” is meant to be unattainable – some intagible goal, whose impossibility keeps us going? Naaa….. didn’t think so!
The bucket list is taking shape. I’m finding the process quite enlightening. I’ll share soon. Promise.
Good to have you back Terence.
The Alchemist is a story that has a subtle message or meaning behind it. It’s not as explicit as The Power of Now. I liked the Power of Now but it felt like reading a self-help book than The Alchemist which helps you but does it through a story. It depends which type you prefer.
Dreams are unattainable? The thing is you don’t know if you don’t try. And if you did try, did you give up too soon when it could have been just around the corner?
My bucket list is taking shape too. Next year I plan to wipe out at 4 items on my bucket list. I’ll share soon too. I haven’t forgotten.
I like this book, very interesting!