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Blanca Rubio
Professor Thomas Jared
English 113A
29 November 2015
The Alchemist (Personal Journey)
The Alchemist written by the author, Paulo Coelho, describes the inner conflict that the
narrator Santiago faced when trying to achieve his personal legend. His decision to chase after
his treasure was tough as he had to leave his normal life behind. The narrator expressed emotions
in which he was scared of the changes and challenges he'll have to face. Just like my journey
when coming to the United States as a child, Santiago struggles related to those of mines.
However, with every obstacle he overcame Santiago found faith and strength to push himself to
continue his path to the pyramids. Paulo Coelho used of different themes such as dreams, faith
and love has an impact in the narrator's life and journey that can be related to one's life.
In the story The Alchemist, Paulo describes a relationship in which the narrator had with
one of his animals, the sheep. The bound they shared for two years made Santiago see the sheep
as more than just an animal but instead as a human. Santiago animals got used to his schedule
and it was as if he got used to theirs, however, the sheep relied on Santiago to survive, here the
author describe, It was as if some mysterious energy bound his life to that of the sheep, with
whom he had spent the past two years, leading them through the countryside in search of food
and water." For Santiago his animals were better than people because they would actually
understand and listen to what he would say instead of judging him. When he sold his animals to
follow his dream he had a tough time thinking if it was the right thing. This part of the story
reminds me when my mother, sibling and I had to leave Mexico and all of our values behind to

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come to the United States. My dog which had been part of my family for many years was going
to be in hands of her new owner, it wasn't possible for her to come with us and this experience is
just as the one Santiago experience when giving away all his animals specially the sheep in
which he shared two years with. Although I knew my dog would get used to her new life and
owner the memories overcome me and I start doubting if its actually worth leaving my perfect
life behind, but following our dreams consist of giving things up and my dream of reaching the
United States just as Santiago dream of reaching Egypt could not allow us to bring anything but
money to survive. As the book taught me, things will only get better and it's not the end but the
beginning of a great journey.
When reaching the United States in other words The American Dream it was a whole new
chapter for me in my life. The thought of not knowing anything or how to communicate in their
language was challenging. I remember getting frustrated due to me not being able to pronounce
the words right and that resulted in people not being able to help me because they couldnt
understand what I was trying to say. Furthermore, getting used to different cultures and people
was also another challenge that I had to face on daily basis. The idea of getting up every day to
this struggle was truly terrifying. Trying to reach a dream of having a better life quality was now
far from what I imagine and slowly I started losing my faith. I had imagined on coming to the
United States to live in a huge house full of richness, a dream in which my family and I wouldn't
struggle to get through life and money would be more than enough for all of us but I was wrong.
I was mad at the idea of living in poverty and not having all the objects everyone else had,
However, I had forgotten one thing, the purpose of my dream and it was to reach The American
Dream in which the white people live in richness and one day my family and I would live too. A
quote in which I found that it applied to my situation was from the book, The Alchemist by Paulo

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Coelho in which he stated, The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only
the wise can see them(Coelho, 17). This quote made me see the value in the things I had and
how much they had provided for me. The little money and the small house I had had provided
me with the necessaries one needs to survive such as getting into good schools and paying for
school necessaries. In The Alchemist the author stated, When we strive to become better than
we are, everything around us becomes better too"(Coelho, 155). This quote demonstrate an
action that only people who are determine to achieve their dream will do and that's exactly where
I started. Getting into a school and learning the new language was the beginning of a long
journey towards my dream. The little hope i had once lost had regained and had turn into
strength. Obstacles such as living in poverty made me realize how much I wanted to accomplish
my personal legend and dream.
As I continued my education I had discovered many new things by then, I had learned to
communicate better and write properly. Through my progression I received plenty of help from
many of my professors. My teachers were my source of support and motivation which kept my
dream alive. Things were going great; it was during those middle school years where I had
discovered something new, Love. It was a young boy who I had devoted all my time to when
getting together. However, it was then when my grades lower that I notice he had distracted me
from what I was pursuing, my education and dream of one day going to college to help my
family get out of poverty. Although I stop focusing and ignoring all around me I "Never stop
dreaming," the old king had said. "Follow the omens." (Coelho, 33) Things then got rough and I
came back to reality when my professor had a serious talk with me about my grades and the
distraction that this boy has caused. I was behind in all my work; it got to the point where I could
have not graduated but as Paulo mention, When you want something, all the universe conspires

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to help you achieve it," the old king had said. It was by then when I saw how this has affected
me deeply and throw me out of track. I was mad at myself but being mad and negative wouldn't
make anything better once said my mother and I decided to seek out for help. My friend and
history teacher helped me catch up in my work, although, I didn't believe that Ill finish in time
but looking at how my professor and friend took time of their day to help me made me realize
that is I who need to push myself to succeed and not others. This step I took resulted in me
getting good grades by the end of the year and having the privilege to walk in stage and received
a medal from my teacher for my outstanding work. The looks of my family members showed me
that I was in the right path to success. As to love according to the book our lives are incomplete.
Once Santiago discovers unconditional love in Fatima, there is little he can't accomplish.
As to this day Im still pursuing my personal legend and dreams. All those obstacles only
taught me to be strong. Love will sometimes favor in your side but if sacrificing the things we
admire and love the outcome might just be a step closer to your dream, this I learned from my
experience and the message behind the book, The Alchemist. One may think it's too late or their
too old to dream but as Paulo stated, People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what
they dream of (Coelho, 25). Today one may find motivation in social media, just looking at a
picture or hearing a speech but it's the thought of trying to accomplish it. As mention earlier
Paulo Coelho book, The Alchemist demonstrates the different possibilities and positive outcomes
that can happen if one only challenges themselves.