“One of life’s simple lessons”

I have probably read ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho about five or six times – the first time being in 2012 as a recommendation by my then-coach, Larry Achike. I absolutely adore this book about a young shepherd boy who goes on a journey of self-discovery by living out his ‘Personal Legend’. He experiences an awakening within him of a deeper wisdom and understanding of life simply through his willingness to step out in faith and be fearless in his pursuit of his ultimate vision.

Here is just a short extract that popped up on my Kindle when I opened it earlier today, so I thought I’d share. I hope this simple life lesson encourages you to be smart about who you share your vision with. There will be haters. There will be supporters. And there will always be unbelievers. But we all know that actions speak louder than words so…

‘Don’t tell people your dreams. Show them.’

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – An Extract

“Why are you carrying money?” asked the tribesman, when he had searched the boy’s bag.

“I need it to get to the Pyramids,” he said.

The tribesman who was searching the alchemist’s belongings found a small crystal flask filled with a liquid, and a yellow glass egg that was slightly larger than a chicken’s egg.

“What are these things?” he asked.

“That’s the Philosopher’s Stone and the Elixir of Life. It’s the Master Work of the alchemist. Whoever swallows that elixir will never be sick again, and a fragment from that stone turns any metal into gold.”

The Arabs laughed at him, and the alchemist laughed along. They thought his answer was amusing, and they allowed the boy and the alchemist to proceed with all of their belongings.

“Are you crazy?” the boy asked the alchemist, when they had moved on. “What did you do that for?”

“To show you one of life’s simple lessons,” the alchemist answered. “When you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed.”