Lessons from The Alchemist

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

— Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Santiago

There are some books you read once and move on from, and then there are books that ask you to come back when you are ready to truly listen. Recently, I had the privilege of reading The Alchemist again. I had read it before, but if I am honest with myself, I do not think I paid attention with the intensity the book requires. This time was different. I read it slowly, intentionally, and with the purpose of understanding it more deeply. I also had the pleasure of reading it alongside one of my favorite cousins, Meg, which made the experience even more meaningful. The story follows a young shepherd boy named Santiago who sets out on a journey in search of treasure. If you know me, you already know why I immediately felt connected to the story — the name. I once had a cat called Santiago. He passed away in January, and even now, thinking about it makes me a little sad. He was my little man. I would recommend this book to anyone who is wondering about their purpose in life. And even if you are not wondering, aii read it bado — it is still a beautiful and worthwhile read.

Reading it again reminded me of several lessons that feel incredibly relevant, especially in the world we are living in today.

Dream Big — Even When Life Is Hard

One of the most powerful lessons from the book is simple: dream big. Santiago was never afraid to dream beyond the life he already had. He believed in his Personal Legend — the idea that every person has a purpose or calling they are meant to pursue. Even when the journey became difficult, he kept going. At the beginning of his adventure, he faces several obstacles. He arrives in a place where he does not understand the language. His money and belongings are stolen. At one point, he finds himself completely alone and without a home.

Yet none of these things stops him. Instead of giving up, he adapts. He learns. He finds ways to keep moving forward. When I think about the world today, the wars, the political uncertainty, the constant reminder that life is short and fragile, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. But perhaps the lesson here is that uncertainty has always existed.

And despite that, we are still called to dream. Sometimes all we can do is dream and pray that God gives us enough time and strength to see those dreams through.

We all have dreams. Chase them.

Failure Is Part of the Journey

You will fail. But do not give up.

If success were easy, Sisi wote tungekua millionaires and more. The truth is that some things will work out and others will not. That is simply how life unfolds. What matters is what you do afterward. Learn.Unlearn.Relearn. As many times as it takes. There is no shame in starting over. As long as you wake up every morning, you are being given another chance to begin again. There is something I often remind myself: the moment I start believing that I know everything is the moment I will forget everything. Life has a way of humbling us and reminding us that learning never truly stops. Failure is not the opposite of success — it is part of the path toward it. Santiago understands this. He experiences setbacks, disappointments, and moments of uncertainty. But he never allows those moments to define the end of his journey. Instead, he keeps going.

The Fear of Reaching Our Potential

One of the most interesting characters in the story is the crystal merchant who hires Santiago.

The merchant has always dreamed of visiting Mecca. He describes it with such vivid imagination that you can almost see it through his eyes:

“I’ve imagined crossing the desert a thousand times, arriving at the Plaza of the Sacred Stone, and walking around it seven times before touching it. I’ve imagined the people beside me and the prayers we would share. But I’m afraid it might be a disappointment, so I prefer to keep dreaming about it.”

While working in the shop, Santiago introduces new ideas that transform the merchant’s business. He suggests displaying crystal glasses outside the shop to attract customers. He even introduces serving tea in crystal glasses, which becomes incredibly popular.

Eventually, the merchant earns enough money to go to Mecca, but then something unexpected happens. He realizes that the dream itself has been sustaining him. If he actually fulfills it, he fears he might not know what comes next. This moment made me pause. Sometimes we do not fail because we lack potential. Sometimes we stop ourselves because we are afraid of what happens after success.

Live in the Present

Another powerful lesson from the book is the importance of living fully in the present moment.

One of the characters says:

“If I’m eating, I think only about eating. If I’m marching, I concentrate on marching. Because I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present.”

How often do we do the opposite? We replay past mistakes again and again in our minds. We worry endlessly about the future. And in doing so, we miss the moment we are currently living in. There is a scene in The Lion King where Rafiki tells Simba:

The scene from The Lion King

“The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.”

The past has already happened. The future has not yet arrived.The only moment we truly have is now. And yet, it is often the moment we appreciate the least. Obsessing over the past will keep you stuck there, and worrying about the future will guarantee the absence of happiness right now.

Maktub — “It Is Written”

One word that appears in the book stayed with me long after I finished reading: Maktub.

It means “it is written.” The idea suggests that our lives unfold within a destiny that has already been written by God — that the people we meet, the paths we walk, and the experiences we have are all part of a larger story. Personally, I like to think of it slightly differently. Perhaps some things are written. But every day still allows us to shape the direction of our lives. Every day presents new lessons, new decisions, and new chances to grow. So whether our destiny is written or not, one thing remains true: fear should never stop us from becoming who we are meant to be. One day, when I finally get a tattoo — which I definitely plan on doing — the word Maktub is one of the things I would love to have.

The Journey Shapes Who We Become

One final lesson stood out to me while reading this book again: the journey matters more than the destination. Many alchemists in the story fail to create gold because they focus only on the gold itself. They want the treasure but do not want to experience the journey required to discover it. Santiago’s transformation does not happen when he finds the treasure.

It happens during the journey — working at the candy stall, learning from the crystal merchant, crossing the desert, meeting strangers who shape his understanding of the world.

Let’s be honest, Money motivates many of us. It would be unrealistic to pretend otherwise. When people say money makes the world go round, there is some truth to that.

But even as we chase success, we should not ignore the path that leads us there.

The people we meet.The work we do.The lessons we learn.The person we slowly become along the way. The destination is exciting, but the journey is what changes us.

These are just some of the lessons I took from The Alchemist. They are certainly not the only ones. The book also reminded me to appreciate the simple things in life — the quiet moments, the small joys, and the beauty of ordinary days, but if I told you everything I learned, you might not read the book yourself, and I really want you to. This year, I have decided to start sharing reviews of the books I read. I finished The Alchemist in January, and in February I read How Women Rise, so stay tuned for that review as well.

But I think the next story might be something a little lighter.

I might tell you about some of my school escapades — and how, by the grace of God, I somehow still turned out the way I did.

Until next time, my lovelies.

And remember: Dream boldly. Fail bravely. And never stop chasing the life that was meant for you.