The Alchemist

how important is it to find your treasure?

For the second year in a row, I am reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

It’s a seemingly simple tale about an Andalusian shepherd named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of his treasure, which is supposed to be buried under the pyramids. This is a book that allows you/begs you to dream and wander, which is why it is the core reading for the law school seminar that I teach.

There are many stories within the main story.

Many universal truths folded into tiny mundane things.

Like this exchange between Santiago and an old man, who Santiago meets early in the book, when he is feeling at a loss.

The old man began talking about discovering one’s “Personal Legend.” Santiago didn’t know what that meant.

Old Man: “It’s what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend.”

Santiago: [“What is a mysterious force?”]

Old Man:

• “It’s a force that appears to be negative, but actually shows you how to realize your Personal Legend.”

• “To realize one’s Personal Legend is a person’s only real obligation…”

• “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.”

//Pause// Reflect// Drum roll please//

May all the universe conspire to help you find your treasure.

Wishing you all things good,

Tamara