This is a really well written post. I haven't read the Alchemist yet so wasn't sure how to respond. Now that I think of it I do remember when this book came out some years ago people were talking about it. Your perspective on the book is very helpful to us:
many people are afraid of what will happen to them if they fail.
The boy in the story had his Personal Legend of finding a mysterious treasure near the Egyptian Pyramids.
I cannot say that I have a personal legend so refined. I'm not sure how much influence we have in actually choosing our own personal legend.
I will share something I learned today. I have been posting in Groovy school to engage learning but sometimes I get it wrong. Posts that come natural even though I wrote them quickly get lots of response but posts I struggle a lot to make don't get much response. In life it is the same. Things that are natural to me are abundantly fruitful.
The question is: "What are you doing here?" We have our set up and in the 21st century this set up has more potential than ever but what is the punch line? So what if I am rich or famous? What am I doing here? What personal legend can I dare make?
You quoted this from the book:
When you want something, the whole universe conspires to help you."
This is true when what you want is in line with the "universe" and who am I to say what this is or isn't without trying. You may hold on to your personal legend and experience the biggest failure and suffering and the "universe" may be content with that. The "universe" is not obliged to help you but the other way around.
So I agree with the point that we all need direction and identity but we cannot make a personal legend. The boy thought he can go back to his sheep... that is not always the case for us. After years of chasing our personal legend the sheep are gone. Taking care of the sheep is menial labour but in many cases it is through this menial task that the universe is magnified.
It wouldn't be the same book if the boy stayed with the sheep to learn the secrets of the universe by living with unthankful selfish creatures to chase his dream driven by hubris and greed and inspired by a rich king.
Thanks @mineopoly! I definitely recommend it, the book has been amazing so far! I agree and in the book, the boy begins having dreams of reaching the Pyramids. His personal legend wasn't necessarily a choice, but more of an obligation for him to seek more in his life and venture out into the unknown.
I also find the same thing to be true - the post that I end up writing quickly but passionately and in a "flow state" so to speak, are the ones that typically get the best response.
I think this quote "When you want something, the whole universe conspires to help you." signifies the value of hard work, purpose and consistency. When you want something and you do whatever it takes to make it a reality, you will find opportunities flowing in from all over the place. Those opportunities are always there, but it takes a certain mindset to be able to sniff them out and be present enough to notice them.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts @mineopoly, you make some great points!
I really have to read the book now. Checking for it at this moment. You also are amazingly articulate. @khaleelkazi is honestly among the top 3 most influential people to me on Steemit. I just got the book. It is important to note this is the King of Salem that has great spiritual significance in the book of Genesis and Hebrews.