I found this information about Paulo Coelho on a recent post to Facebook. Since I have not read this book, I am unsure as to the correctness of this post. However, it does fit with the messages of positive psychology and practical philosophy that I have studied by other authors.
How to Live a Good Life: Advice from Wise Persons
Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo
10 Top Lessons
From he Book The Alchemist
A book by Paulo Coelho
1. Fear is a bigger obstacle than the obstacle itself
"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse
than the suffering itself.
And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search
of its dreams."
Any new pursuit requires entering uncharted territory --
that's scary. But with any great risk comes great reward.
The experiences you gain in pursuing your dream will make it
all worthwhile.
2. What is "true" will always endure
"If what one finds is made of pure matter, it will
never spoil. And one can always come back.
If what you had found was only a moment of light, like the
explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return."
~ Truth cannot be veiled by smoke and mirrors -- it will
always stand firm.
~ When you're searching for the "right" decision,
it will be the one that withstands the tests of time and the weight of scrutiny.
3. Break the monotony
"When each day is the same as the next, it's because
people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day
that the sun rises."
~ Gratitude is the practice of finding the good in each day.
~ Life can easily become stagnant, mundane, and monotonous,
but that changes depending on what we choose to see.
~ There's always a silver lining, if you look for it.
4. Embrace the present
"Because I don't live in either my past or my future.
I'm interested only in the present.
If you can concentrate always on the present, you'll be a
happy man."
~ There's no point dwelling in the past and letting it
define you, nor getting lost and anxious about the future. But in the present
moment, you're in the field of possibility
~ How you engage with the present moment will direct your
life.
5. Your success has a ripple-effect
"That's what alchemists do. They show that, when we
strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better,
too."
~ Growth, change, and evolution are weaved into the fabric
of reality.
~ Becoming a better version of yourself creates a ripple
effect that benefits everything around you: your lifestyle, your family, your
friends, your community.
6. Make the decision
"When someone makes a decision, he is really diving
into a strong current that will carry him to places he has never dreamed of
when he first made the decision."
~ It's easy to get overwhelmed by the unknowns and finer
details of your dreams.
~ Actions will flow out of having confidence in your
decision; sitting on the fence will get you nowhere.
7. Be unrealistic
"I see the world in terms of what I would like to see
happen, not what actually does."
~ Some of the greatest inventions would not have happened if
people chose to accept the world as it is.
~ Great achievements and innovations begin with a mindset
that ignores the impossible.
8. Keep getting back up
"The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and
to get up eight times."
Because the eighth time could be your breakthrough.
Some of the greatest novels in history were published after
receiving hundreds of rejections. Thankfully, those authors never gave up.
9. Focus on your own journey
"If someone isn't what others want them to be, the
others become angry.
Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people
should lead their lives, but none about his or her own."
~ It's easy to be influenced by others, but you'll be
miserable if you end up living someone else's life.
~ There's nothing wrong with taking advice and learning from
others, but make sure it aligns with your desires and passions.
10. Always take action
"There is only one way to learn. It's through action.
