We each have a personal legend. A story that can only be told by you and by me.

It is your dream come true. Your contribution to humanity. Do you know yours?

I am a writer. It is what I love. I share what I know.

The words flow from my heart through my pencil and onto the page. I don’t need to think. The story just comes.

Often I am joyfully surprised. It is alchemy. Practical magic. God’s gift to me.

It is how I make a difference in the world. My personal legend and dream come true.

How you can achieve your dream and why you must is the focus of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

Born in Rio de Janiero in 1947, he is one of the most influential authors in the world.

He was committed to a mental institution when he was 17 but never gave up his dream,

The Alchemist powerfully and eloquently weaves spiritual and practical lessons into an inspiring little book. Written in just 2 weeks, the author said “the story was already written in his soul.”

The Alchemist is the most translated book by a living author and has sold more than 35 million copies.

With obstacles to overcome and divinely inspired life goals to pursue, it becomes clear the only way the Universe can achieve perfection is if we each achieve our own personal legends.

Set in Spain, Santiago is a boy being schooled to enter seminary.. He wants to travel. Intuitively he knows he won’t find God by preparing to be a priest.

He becomes a shepherd. In a recurring dream he sees a treasure buried under the Egyptian Pyramids.

This is a love story of sorts. Santiago journeys to achieve his dream but is reminded of a beautiful woman who he plans to return to.

He meets many people on his path. Each teach him what he needs to know to proceed. The adventure begins with a little push from a Romani woman. She interprets dreams and gives Santiago the simplest of advice… “go to the Egyptian Pyramids.”

To do this he sells his sheep to Melchizedek in exchange for two magical stones that will guide him on his journey.

Melchizedek tells Santiago about the Soul of the World and the need for people to achieve their personal legends for the world to be complete.

Symbolism in this book is abundant. Santiago is more than a shepherd. He is you and me. We are all on a journey. Seeking to fulfill his dream the journey continues and Santiago learns to persevere and believe in himself.

Hardship happens and obstacles temporarily stop him.

Early in the story he meets The Crystal Merchant who is an example of what happens when we live an unfulfilled life giving up our dream.

The educated Englishman thinks he can gain life lessons by reading books. He learns from Santiago the importance of real life experience and to pay attention to your environment.

A steady mix of metaphor and real life lessons, Santiago and the Englishman cross the desert with a caravan. One wants to see the Egyptian Pyramids and the other the actual Alchemist. The metaphor of alchemy is about transforming one part of yourself into another. When we do this, a connection is made between your soul and the soul of the universe.

The right people enter your life.

Luck happens when you least expect it.

And the universe conspires on your behalf to lead you on your path.

Each time I read this book I learn something new. The caravan, for example, symbolizes Santiago’s quest. The desert oasis symbolizes life and love.

Your dream can come true if you don’t believe that fate will take over and you lose control.

I won’t tell you anymore. I don’t want to spoil the ending.

When you read the book you will find personal meaning and understand why your personal legend needs to be fulfilled.