The Personal Guide
“And he saw that the soul of the world was his own soul. And that he, a boy could perform miracles (Coelho 145).” Santiago was different than everyone. He was able to perform miracles from god. Starting off as a young Sheppard boy, Santiago felt that he was finished with his life. When receiving a signal from an old king, Santiago leaves for his journey to find his destiny. Starting off in his hometown, Andalusia, Spain he makes his way to Egypt. While uncovering his destiny, Santiago finds himself finding love and being mentored by the Alchemist. Determination, bravery, and confidence, were the three qualities Santiago acquired while on his meaningful adventure to find his destiny.
With determination, Santiago never gave up on his adventure. The journey starts with Santiago meeting an old King, King Melchezidec. Santiago learns about everyone’s destiny, and how the world does everything it can to help realize one’s destiny. From starting as a Sheppard, Santiago is very attached to his beloved sheep. A crossroad traps Santiago into making a big decision. The boy learns from King Melchezidec, and with determination, Santiago will follow his destiny, and never stop until he achieves success. When wondering around in a market, Santiago gets robbed. Leaving him with nothing, an Omen had spoken to him. “He learned that there were certain things one shouldn’t ask about, so as not to flee from one’s own destiny.” Santiago promises not to flee from his own destiny and that he will never give up by using all of his strength to continue. Even though Santiago has nothing left, his determination still shines. “The power of your heart is the soul of the world.” When listening to your heart, you learn to never give up. The Alchemist becomes Santiago’s mentor. With the Alchemists wisdom, Santiago learns to always listen to your heart and never to give up. When Face-to-face with his destiny, Santiago briefly forgot about his destiny. “But there he was, at the point of finding his treasure and he reminded himself that no project is completed until its objective has been achieved.” Determination pulls himself past his challenge to achieve his destiny. Santiago realizes that giving up on his destiny wouldn’t lead him any closer to happiness. King Melchezidec, the thief and the Alchemist all gave Santiago strength to use his determination to continue and never give up on his journey.
Bravery was the key. Without this powerful characteristic, Santiago would have suffered every step of the way while realizing his destiny. The great oasis forced him to use all of his bravery, especially when meeting with the tribal chief. Santiago was delivered a message from the Alchemist in the form of the flight of two eagles. Santiago warns the tribal chieftain about a surprise war. With Santiago being a traveler, the chief doubts his message, yet still gives the boy a chance. Every five men that fall dead Santiago is given a reward. If no men fall dead, the chief will slay Santiago. “It was a frightening bet. But he had been marking risky bets ever since the day he had soled his sheep to pursue his destiny, (page 103).” Santiago was risking his life for the safety of others. With his bravery he was able to warn the chief and would be able to continue on his adventure. When a tribal chief from the opposite side captured Santiago and the Alchemist, Santiago stepped up. Santiago’s bravery creates an option for the two of them to be freed. Turning into the wind was the only way out. Using his heart and everything he believed in, Santiago successfully completed the challenge. Without his bravery, the boy would not have been able to step up and find a way out. Santiago is still on his journey to find his treasure, yet he comes across the most difficult challenge, love. “I came to tell you just one thing,” the boy said. “I want you to be my wife. I love you,” (Coelho 91). Santiago asks Fatima to be his wife. When stumbling across Fatima, Santiago loses his desire to continue. He is truly in love. Being brave, Santiago lets Fatima wait, since she is a woman of the desert, she understnds. Without the bravery to leave Fatima, Santiago would not have been able to follow his dream. The tribal chieftain, the Alchemist and Fatima, were all challenges for Santiago. Bravery being the key, Santiago would not have achieved his destiny without this characteristic.
Being confident is a power of self-trust. Gaining confidence, nothing was able to stop Santiago from completing his adventure. The old king, Melchezidec, taught Santiago all about confidence. Santiago tells himself to trust his actions and never leave his hopes. He is given the choice to either stay home and continue being a shepherd, or start his journey to find his destiny. When at this crossroad, the boy believes in himself and takes the decision he believes in. When leaving for Egypt to find his hidden treasure, Santiago becomes confident. The confidence of Santiago is great, and he won’t have a problem completing his adventure. “The stranger withdrew the sword from the boy’s forehead, and the boy felt immensely relieved. But he still couldn’t flee,” (Coelho 106). The Alchemist is a very divine human. When testing Santiago’s strength, the boy had the option to flee, yet took the chance to know and learn from this stranger, the Alchemist. The confidence of Santiago is overpowering when revealing himself and not giving up. With blood being drawn, expecting him to flee and hide, Santiago stays strong and fights off the pain. The attack was harsh; to never give up was the challenge. When love comes along, Santiago becomes trapped. With Fatima’s love and hope for Santiago, it was hard for the boy to leave Fatima. Yet this was only a challenge. With his confidence, Santiago is able to leave Fatima temporarily, while he continues and follows his destiny. Santiago believes in himself and trusts that he will come back for his love. His confidence stands strong and will never die, especially when his love is waiting. Suffering, sadness, and pain all test him to give up. When Santiago finds confidence through king Melchezidec, he was able to fight the challenge the alchemist gives him, while dealing with the pain of leaving Fatima behind.
Following your heart is your personal guide through life. Your heart grants you your own unique character traits. With determination, bravery and confidence, Santiago conquered all of his challenges in seeking out his destiny. Everyone around the world is trying to achieve his or her own destiny. With their own challenges and adventures, they will find true happiness by following there personal guide. To never give up, never be afraid and always fight back will be the way Santiago continues to live his life. He was able to find love, travel and experience the world of challenges from following his personal guide, his heart.
Down in my Tears
Living a life through school is the biggest experience I have been going through. With all the good times come challenges. Never giving up helps more then anything. Determination is my key through life. When Moving to a new home, with new people, I am tempted to give up. Realizing that there is a very small chance to ever see my friends again. I learned that giving up doesn't move me any closer to true happiness. With determination, this move is more a challenge. I must use determination to keep moving on, and continue to a new home. The challenge of moving to a new home is a very difficult task to conquer. Being determined, I am able to fight the pain off and never give up. I will always have hope, even when I'm down in my tears I wont give up.
