The Alchemist Part 2 of 4
Follow the omens
We are now in week 2 of reading The Alchemist. By this time next week, you should read through at least page 50, finishing Part 1 of the book. That’s a nice easy stop, but should you want to continue reading beyond, please do! It’s your journey, after all.
You might remember near the end of the last section we read, the old man said to the shepherd boy, Santiago, a line that is repeated often in this book: “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
In this week’s section that finishes out Part 1, Santiago is confronted with the prospect of his dreams and whether he should chase them. He considers buying a ticket to Africa. While inquiring with the ticket seller, he told him that “maybe tomorrow” he would be back to buy that ticket.
“Another dreamer,” said the ticket seller.
Santiago was torn on what to do. As the author, Paulo Coelho, tell us in the story, “He had to choose between something he had become accustomed to and something he wanted to have.”
Shortly after, the boy felt the wind blowing and could taste and smell all that the wind brought with it. “The boy felt jealous of the freedom of the wind, and saw that he could have that same freedom. There was nothing to hold him back except himself.”
For a moment here we should pause and think more deeply about the thing or things that are holding us back. What are we waiting for? Are we content to have each day be the same as the next? Or do we want to start taking those steps to pursue our dreams. Are we ready to buy the ticket? Or are we just “another dreamer?”
We are next introduced to the prospect of omens when a butterfly appeared and fluttered between Santiago and the old man, just after the old man had told him: “God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you.”
Santiago remembered that his grandfather had told him that butterflies were a good omen.
From this point forward, Santiago made a decision: to pursue his dreams and begin his journey, to find his Personal Legend. Along this path, he will follow the omens.
An omen may not be a butterfly for you, but think of it more as something in the universe that becomes a sign. Maybe it’s the same kind of sign that appears again and again. It’s hard to describe exactly what an omen will be like; they are different for everyone. But at the end of the day, it’s a reminder from the universe that there is some path you should follow that you are not yet pursuing. Find the omens in your life. And then, follow the omens!
And don’t forget the wise words that old man told the boy as he poured a few drops of oil on a spoon while the boy marveled around his palace: “The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.”
To this end, as your pursue your dream, don’t forget the treasures you already have with you. You have much to discover still, but never forget who you are.
