The summer after I moved into my first place, I felt like I was going places. I had just secured my first real job after working at Pier 1 for some months as jobs were scarce after the dot com bust. My best friend sent me a gift, The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. On the first page of the book, she wrote the following beautiful message:
“Pet, Never let go of your dreams and follow them with your heart.”
It meant so much to me that I read the book within a few days. I didn’t pick up the book again until last year when I was going through a challenging transition in my life as I tried to figure out my purpose and calling. I decided to re-read The Alchemist and this time around it had a much deeper meaning for me. The story is about a shepherd boy Santiago and his search for his personal legend and how he learns to follow his heart.
When I finished the book, my best friend’s message meant that much more and I made a decision to really ask God to show me my purpose. It was an adventurous journey. After planning my second wedding, I almost became a full time wedding planner (a story for another post) before I realized I’ve always loved taking photographs and it’s a gift people really value.
I’m so blessed to have had my best friend support my dreams all these years.
So as inspiration to dream bigger, here’s a picture of another friend on a yacht headed to Anguilla, reading The Alchemist.
Inspiring post. I, suprisingly, have never read the Alchemist. Want to now though!