"Where does real motivation come from?"

Welcome back to our bookshelf of timeless classics by Paulo Coelho. Today's sharing revolves around the legendary novel "The Alchemist," exploring where true motivation comes from. At the age of 20, many of us start questioning the meaning of life, our dreams, and personal goals. By the time we reach 25, these questions become more pressing: Have we truly exerted ourselves to pursue our dreams, or are we still lingering in comfort? And as we hit 30, we face a new challenge: Should we continue our journey or start anew?

"The Alchemist" is a simple yet profound story of a shepherd named Santiago who courageously sells all his possessions to pursue his dream of finding treasure in the desert. The book has captured millions of hearts worldwide with its deep message about the meaning of life and human will.

Paulo Coelho, the author, who himself has overcome numerous challenges, has demonstrated that all miracles come from within, from one's perseverance and determination. Santiago's journey, from a shepherd to a treasure seeker, mirrors the author's spiritual journey, inspiring hope and encouragement to millions.

Santiago, an ordinary boy from Spain, dared to pursue his dreams despite facing opposition from his family and unforeseen challenges. He abandoned stability and comfort to leave his homeland, embarking on a risky and adventurous journey.

Along his path, Santiago encountered many people and challenges, but the most crucial aspect was that he never gave up on his dream. Despite failures, difficulties, and dangers, he persevered because he knew that only by achieving his goal could he truly feel fulfilled and meaningful.

In the end, through his journey, Santiago learns that the most remarkable journey is the one within. His story teaches us that if life lacks purpose, it becomes a maze of chaos, and all we do is seek an escape route. If we are too concerned with gain or loss, we may miss our true dreams.

Santiago, born into a humble family in Spain, was expected to become a priest, bringing pride to his family. However, Santiago's dream was to travel, to explore the world beyond. Despite his father's vehement opposition, Santiago expressed his desire to embark on a journey, seeking to understand the world. Eventually, his father reluctantly agreed, providing Santiago with three gold coins, symbolizing a compromise and heartfelt approval. For his father, too, had once dreamed of traveling.

In this book, each character has their own dream. Even the popcorn seller by the roadside, from a young age, dreamed of going to Africa. Or the crystal shop owner: "I want to see the world," he said. Even the thieves near the pyramids dreamed of treasure, just like Santiago. Yet, for various reasons, under the pressure of reality, they eventually abandoned their dreams, leaving behind only regrets. However, the underlying reason always lies in the weighing of gain and loss. This calculation often obscures the original desire.

Santiago's determination shattered the illusion of immediate security, leaving his homeland to become a shepherd and live the life he desired. In two years, he learned many skills of a shepherd. He saw many beautiful landscapes and met many people. It seemed that his life would be peaceful with his current lifestyle. However, like a signal from the universe sent through consecutive dreams for two days, Santiago dreamed of a boy leading him to Egypt, telling him about a treasure nearby. This dream ultimately became Santiago's destiny. The real treasure was captivating, but the present life was more realistic. He almost lost himself once, too concerned with what he could gain or lose. Indeed, you might miss what truly makes your destiny if you care too much about gain and loss.

The encounter with the King of Salem reassured Santiago that when one decides to do something, the whole universe will conspire to help achieve it. These words rekindled Santiago's passion, reminding him of his true desires. Santiago's lifelong dream was not merely to see the world; it was to find treasure. Thus, he embarked on his journey, crossing thousands of kilometers through the desert.

On a small island, Santiago met a beautiful girl named Fatima. From their first glance, Santiago's heart was filled with waves of love. After a long time, he deeply fell in love with her, even considering giving up his dream to stay on the island with her forever. However, the dreams about the Alchemist awakened Santiago. He realized that forsaking his dreams would lead to a lifetime of regret, not just for himself but also for the one he loved. Therefore, he refused to let go of his dream, fearing that both he and his loved one would live with heavy hearts for the rest of their lives.

When faced with setbacks, Santiago's journey teaches us that the most important thing is to keep moving forward, even when the path seems uncertain. It's not about what we can gain or avoid; it's about having the courage to pursue what we truly desire. Santiago's story reminds us that the pursuit of dreams may lead us through difficult times, but it's these challenges that shape us and make us grow.