The Alchemist (The Book, Not the Producer).

            For my Voicing Your Future class, I had the pleasure of reading the book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.  It tells the story of Santiago, who ends up having a dream about a treasure that he saw at the Pyramids, and takes you on the journey of his Personal Legend.  Santiago learns several valuable lessons on his journey, and also creates a greater connection to the world and nature.  Santiago also learns how hard it is to stick with something for as long as you can when you're faced with so many different articles.  The Alchemist was created to show that when you set your mind to a goal, that anything is possible. 

             One part of the story I really connected with, was when he finally meets the alchemist and the alchemist gives him all kinds of advice.  One part was when he talks about the need for Santiago to connect and talk with his heart and to always listen to it.  This in a way resonated with me because I've been struggling to follow what my heart is telling me and going more with what my head is saying.  But the book has been able to make me realize that listening to your heart can turn out for the better, especially in the sense of Santiago who ends up listening to his heart and connecting with nature.  There is a power in the intuition of your heart, and being able to listen to it, holds great power. 

              For the most part I loved everything about the book, from the underdog plot to all the life lessons it upheld.  The character exposition was also great, feeling like you really know a character and what he was thinking is always a plus in my book.  I also enjoyed the fact that each person that Santiago encountered had some kind of wise advice to give him, and always encouraged him to continue on his journey.  The one thing I didn't necessarily like all that much was the personification of inanimate objects, such as when he talked to the sun and his heart.  Though I know this was all meant for the greater purpose of character exposition I didn't enjoy those points for the most part.  All in all though it was a fantastic book, with not to many wrongs done.  

               I would recommend this book to a friend, because I believe they'd learn a lot of lessons like I have from the book.  Especially somebody who is in a rut or can't quite get their mind right, I'd recommend this book to get them back on track.  The best audience it would be good for is people who enjoy reading, because of all the hidden lessons, if you think reading is boring you may not see them.  I actually read this book in high school, and it led to me reading more and more to the point of where I am today.  I recommend this book to everyone!

Lessons

The Alchemist

It teaches you a lot of lessons

Ones that you can see

Ones that you can't 

It tells the story of anything you want to be

Follow your dreams

Chase after your goals

Travel the seas

Go to the North Pole

It doesn't matter what it is

As long as you go and do it

Be adventurous but observant

Connect with nature

And follow your own

Pathways can lead you in all different directions 

So follow your heart it knows what to do

It saved you more times than you know

The silent helper

It'll always be there

Waiting to save you