Five Life Lessons I Learned from the Alchemist

The Alchemist was written by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho and published in 1988. The book went on to become an international bestseller. Originally written as a novel in just 2 weeks, it has moved into the self-help sphere. The story follows Santiago on his quest to find treasure at the great pyramids of Egypt after a dream. On his travels, he meets a gypsy woman, king, and the alchemist. He also falls in love. There are many thought-provoking ideas in the book. However, there are five all of us can connect with. So, let’s put on the rucksacks and go on a journey.

Experience the present.

Our lives are full of distractions and some people waste half their life engaging with them. Is it boredom, the search for more, or filling a void they created? Technology dominates our world, and it is all too easy to become manipulated by its allure. The rise of social media giants compounding these problems. It’s a fake world, driven by likes, shares, comments, and filters. How can you appreciate the world around you constantly changing images to enhance the original? It’s not just specific to nature but pervades people, places, dining, and daily life.

What is it all of us are searching for? Happiness. How can you find that pinning for the approval of others? Learn to experience the moment as is. Sit in it, reflect, acknowledge and appreciate. Put the phone down. No one cares about the meal you are about to eat, or how many angles you can show a plate. Enjoy the food, let your senses take control. No one else can savor that moment for you. Just you.

We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.

~~ Bill Watterson

What’s your gift?

I was a huge fan of George Lucas Star Wars growing up. In the movie, Lord Vader tells Luke his son: “Search your feelings,” and “It is your destiny.”

Most fans of the film franchise will be aware of what happens next. All of us will feel passionate. happy, joyful, and excited when doing something we love. It might be sports, career, family, assisting others, or exercising. What matters is that when doing these actions you feel connected, aligned, and purposeful.

These are your gifts. When you are not using your gifts you feel a bit empty. The easiest way to explain this is through television. How do you feel when the picture or sound quality goes when watching the big game? You only feel settled, more relaxed, and content when the screen returns to normal. Think of your gifts as a tuning fork. Connecting with its frequency is crucial to you living with purpose. Listen to what your thoughts are telling you. Potential unfulfilled is not what you want on your gravestone.

Your purpose in life is to use your gifts and talents to help other people. Your journey in life teaches you how to do that.

~~ Tom Krause

Allow yourself to dream.

I would consider myself a realist, grounded, and a pragmatist. I’m not a daydreamer in any form. The difference between dreaming, wishing, and imagining all comes down to one core thought: Action. Not think. Just do. How do you change circumstances if you’re not happy? Focus your attention, thoughts, and energy on something new, Create habits, and rework a routine. Set targets, goals, and journal. Until you do this, you won’t realize just how transformative it can become. No one is coming to save you.

Are you working a 9 am to 5 pm job you hate? Why are you still there? Are you hitting snooze every morning due to the dread of pushing yourself through one more day? That is the exact opposite of living. Existing yes. Yet, many people find themselves in this situation and don’t do anything about it. Change is difficult, but what’s the alternative? Floating through life like some apparition in a Dickens novel? The choice is yours.

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

~~ Winston S. Churchill

Who’s supporting you?

Be mindful of this one. Do you have the support of friends, family, and a partner? In pursuit of your purpose, these relationships will be tested. Those that stand beside you demand your trust, respect, and love. These are the people who will understand the sacrifices you are willing to make. Cherish their support. Your values, interest’s beliefs, and actions will attract your tribe. These are the people who will challenge, support, and force you to be the best version of yourself.

You can connect with alliances, networks, or groups with a shared purpose. The most important part is locating and connecting with them. They are pursuing a path also. Together you can praise, inspire and counsel on a clear direction. Some of the World’s most successful people are all part of groups. Don’t waste time on those who don’t aspire to do something more, access knowledge, or grow. Remember those who want you to succeed will play a role in your journey. For those who want to disrupt, resist, distract or negate, move them on.

When the story is said and done, our little bit may be invisible, but if we help encourage, push, and nudge things along if we can just help, that would be fine.

~~ Tom Prichard

Failure is part of life.

Life is never going to be plain sailing. How boring would that be? There will always be storms. Take the learning from those failures, and set a new path. Every day brings something new. Just think about that. I’ve faced failure on many occasions when I thought the world was ending. However, I always found a way through. What did you learn in your darkest hour? The problem in society today is that people fear failing. They let the unknown guide them and imagine all kinds of scary shit that hasn’t happened. We are becoming a race built on comfort. Everything is at our fingertips. Our ancestors would probably hunt us as prey.

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.

~~ Muhammed Ali

This can lead to paralysis. You haven’t risked anything if you haven’t failed. All those traits, characteristics, and strengths you may admire in others are forged walking over the hot coals. Impossible to achieve without courage, self-determination, and will to let go of the handrail. Time to join Santiago as we travel on our next adventure.

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