When You Wish Upon A Star

“So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.” – The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho

I used to read voraciously. A book was a gourmet meal. Back in middle school, I lived in the school library. I was the accelerated reader queen. I escaped to a world of orphaned children turned investigators, wizards and warlocks, escaped slaves, talking animals, knights and princesses. I soaked up words from the very fibers of a page like my life depended on it. I’m not sure when that all changed, but law school definitely made me never want to read anything but a trashy magazine with clipped horoscopes. That's definitely not the level of reading I groomed myself on. In many ways, I miss my younger self. She was so hungry to learn and know as much as she could about all sorts of things. She watched the History and Discovery channel like a hawk, from Jesus to the uncovering of ancient Egyptian history. I miss my nerdy self. It’s almost like something happens when you become an adult and a light dims, waiting until something sparks the flames again.

“Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives.”

The Alchemist was the first book on the book club’s list to read. I’ve never heard of this book until now. And since the universe conspired to bring me to it, I will keep it with me, turning back to it probably countless times so I don’t forget its many nuggets of wisdom as told through the story of Santiago. There was a word on every page. When I get a hard copy of the book, highlighting will do no good because the entire book will be highlighted from beginning to end on almost every page.

“Everything is written in the Soul of the World, and there it will stay forever.”

The wisdom is vast, but simple. Isn’t that the way wisdom works, though? The most profound concepts tend to be the simplest. Follow your dreams. Listen to your heart, for it knows your deepest desires. Don’t let fear keep you from following your dreams. Love will not hinder you from seeking your dreams….All simple, yet profound concepts. Adults make things so complicated. Why do we do that? I’m certainly guilty. Live in the now, but remember the lessons you learned along the way.

“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.”

And so, I’ve found myself in a rut. At a crossroad of sorts, but I always feel like I’m periodically at a crossroad in life, unclear of which way to go. The Alchemist talks of omens, reading and following them. I feel as if I passed one too many omens along the way and just didn’t realize what was staring me right in the face. I suppose it’s never too late to right the ship, but the problem is always knowing whether you’re steering in the right direction or if you’re only poking more holes into an already sinking ship. Is the uncertainty and the worrying about making the right decision actually fear in disguise?

“You will never be able to escape your heart. So it is better to listen to what it has to say.”

Dreams and wishes, wants and desires. I followed Santiago, envisioning myself. The question was one of staying with the status quo or taking a leap of faith and finding your treasure. If nothing else, I feel like I had an eccentric otherworldly experience while reading. The limitless feeling of possibility that grips you and fills your spirit quenches your soul and awakens in you a desire to do things you put off because the world says you can’t do it or have it all. Let the universe inspire you and follow where it leads you. The value in the reward is the richness of the journey along the way.

“Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.”

Maktub.