Alchemy

I just read a wonderful little book entitled The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian author whose works are international bestsellers. I'd call this one an allegory of everyone's life, the destiny every one has, but which most of us fail to recognize and embrace. James Hillman, in The Soul's Code, calls it one's Daemon. Joseph Campbell refers to it as the solar hero's Call to Adventure. Coelho calls it one's Personal Legend.

I like that.

We accept the story that we are all created equal, but when it comes to the idea of becoming a legend, most of us feel unequal. We tend to think that other people can become legends, but not me. The truth is, this legend is simply your own life story when it is truly lived from the heart, believing in your own dreams and plunging into the adventure with no holds barred. The sad fact is, most of us hide behind reasons and fears, caution and comfort rather than experience the perils and growth of the journey. We fail to realize the joy is there, too.

It's all about fairy tales and fables, which are, after all, stories to inform the inner listener, to inflame the heart to action and the awaken the soul to its own journey. The alchemy happens only when the hero completes the journey, accomplishes those impossible tasks with improbable helpers, and gains the treasure. The trick is not to be tricked into settling for a lesser reward that the true alchemical transformation.

There's a quote in the Bible roughly to the effect of, "when you find a treasure in the field, sell all you own and buy that field." A parable, of course, but about seeking the treasure of the heart, of the soul. Coelho illustrates this with grace and simplicity in a classic tale well-told and so worth the read . . . and taking to heart!

I'm reopening the book of my own legend and stepping into my own adventure. . . even this late in life. Hey, I'm still breathing, there's time.

Saundra_M