Despite having read “The Alchemist” in 2012, the concept of Personal Legend is still fresh in my mind. You hear of people wanting to be their best but this is not the purpose of this book, in my humble opinion.
The concept of Personal Legend is different. It has to do with destiny but also the choices you make in life. Unbeknownst to you, these choices take you to that respective destiny, which you’ve always wanted but couldn’t actually see it.
The book tells the story of a Spanish shepherd named Santiago. He is only concerned about where to move the herd the next day, and how to win over a girl’s heart. One might say this is all you need in life, a job you like and the girl you want. But this book speaks of something else. It speaks of something from our unconscious mind.
Following a recurring dream that he thinks to be prophetic, Santiago leaves his native town and travels to a nearby settlement. At the local market, he talks to a gipsy woman who tells him of a treasure hidden in the Pyramids in Egypt.
Afterwards, he meets another person, one that considers himself an old king. This man advises him to sell his sheep and use the money to travel to Egypt to find the treasure. This enigmatic person also introduces him to the concept of Personal Legend. This theme is prevalent across the story. It’s said that if you want something, then the universe will arrange things so that you fulfill that wish.
After he finally decides to travel to Northern Africa, Santiago’s real journey begins. His journey involves rebel attacks on caravans, falling in love with a beautiful woman called Fatima, and a chance meeting with a lone alchemist. This man explains to him the workings behind the Personal Legend concept, but the explanations leave the hero scratching his head. He doesn’t take it as a lesson learned. He sticks to his goal of finding the treasure, overlooking the treasures he had already found. What happens at the end, well, you’ll have to look inside yourself and follow your heart, and read the book of course.
“The Alchemist” is a perfect book if you like an adventure filled with underlying motivational themes. Follow your Personal Legend to see where it takes you!