Photo credit: Jerod Young
I have more books than I’ll never need. A few months ago, my wife and I had a fight about my book-buying habits. I couldn’t believe someone like her—who knew how much I loved reading—would dare tell me I needed to buy fewer books!
The argument started a month-long conversation where we talked about interests, goals and it also allowed me to do an introspection of why I did what I did.
Why I wanted to create things for a living.
Also, we both came to the conclusion that insofar as I was using my allowance to buy my books, she’d allow this “necessary evil”.
Something similar happened when we got her a sewing machine. My wife has the creative itch and if you’ve ever had the chance to see her perform poetry or tell a story, you might think to be a doctor was a mistake.
She’s a natural and I envy her.
The sewing machine became an obsession for a few days. At some point, she just got up and decided it was taking too much time. Sewing is not exactly a task you can be doing while having an intimate conversation. It requires focus, attention to detail and overall presence.
Much like writing.
Yet, I somehow decided that telling stories was going to be what I would do for the rest of my life. And she, a talented creative, decided she’d be a medical doctor.
We both made this decision decades ago and the effects still ricochet.
What’s there for you in this?
The Alchemist is my favorite book in the world. In it, the shepherd boy Santiago goes on a long journey to fulfill his personal legend. On his way, he meets many people—some help, some teach, some detract and some give. I’ve read this book every year since my cousin, Juliet, gave it to me. And each time I do, I learn something new.
The Alchemist is, ultimately, is about dreams. About going after them. About learning how to listen to your heart and doing the impossible.
It’s about choosing to live the life that you know in your heart you want.
A character who stands out for me in the Alchemist is The Merchant. He owns a crystal shop and is very much aware of his Personal legend. He’s always known that he wanted to go to Mecca. Yet, he’s made the decision to never go there.
Whenever I find someone who explains what they want and goes on to give reasons why it won’t happen, I think of the merchant.
I feel a weight on my shoulder and fight hard not to push them hard into changing their minds. I’ve come to appreciate that this life has many personal conversations that we must come to alone.
I also do when I sense that someone is living a life that’s not really theirs. A life of circumstances,—of confusion.
A life of blame and refusing to take responsibility.
The merchant took responsibility. He was very clear in saying that he was afraid of what would happen if he achieved his dream.
How often does this happen? How often do we make decisions out of fear because we worry that we will get what we want and then not know what to do from there?
Or, even worse, how often do we put sticks in our own tires to stop us from achieving our dreams?
Santiago showed the man what was possible. The shepherd boy was also tempted, multiple times, to just give up and “chill”. When you find out how he became a shepherd, it starts to make sense. It was the same reasons why he accepted the job at the merchant’s shop even though he really, really wanted to go to Egypt.
What’s the reason?
He was willing to take a chance to do whatever it took.
The Alchemist is “just a story”. But when you hear that the Author —Paolo Coehlo—had no luck when he published his book, you may understand that it’s not just any kind of story.
It is “the story” of a man who was turned down by publishers. His first publisher relinquished the rights and Paolo had to drive with copies of his book to try to sell them himself.
He says in the preface of the 25th Edition of the book ( my favorite version), that the story of the shepherd boy is his story.
Your story, as virtual and unrealistic as it may seem, it’s yours.
Are you willing to do whatever it takes? Are you willing to suck as a writer? Are you willing to start your first video on YouTube, knowing this is just the first step?
Are you willing to trust your gut and take a chance at starting your business?
Will you go up to that girl or boy knowing that they could ridicule you or turn you down?
Do you trust that the Universe—God—is giving your signs that only you can understand?
Do you really want that which you say you want?
This life, it’s yours.
You can be afraid of it all. You can stumble like me, not knowing what I want to do with my writing. You can choose like my wife, that although you have many talents, you really, really want to do something else and go all in.
You can’t have everything—not all at the same time.
Multiple times, Santiago could have settled. He could have become the merchant.
But the miracles he was able to accomplish; the things he was able to do?
And what he found at the end of his journey?
Each time I cry at the end of the book, it’s because it was all worth it.
It may seem painful now. You may have to wake up early. You may have to deal with embarrassment or shame or even just doubt. You may have more questions than answers. You may feel the loneliness of confinement in your bones.
But remember whose you are—” You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here”.
Take a chance on yourself. Stop faking courage. Take mini-risks. Raise your hand.
Step-up to the challenge—begin your personal journey.
Become yourself.
With love,
Kamga.
Here’s what I made this week. I would be honored if you could clap (50 times) on the Medium stories and subscribe to my YouTube channel if you haven’t. Thank you so much for your time.
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Got Married - Youtube Video
There are 3 Ways To Adapt To A New Country - Medium Article
What Story Can You Tell That Only You Could?
- Medium Article (Curated in Writing)You’re Losing Subscribers Because You’re Doing The Right Thing
- Medium Article (Curated in Social Media and Marketing)Am I Fire? - A Poem
Am I An Ocean - A Poem
Interesting article