The Alchemist
Introduction
Consider the Following…

Fully describe a goal or dream that you are
working toward.
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What is the purpose of this goal?
What will it help you achieve after attaining it?
What strengths do you possess that will help you
along the way?
“A Dream Deferred”
by Langston Hughes
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over –
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Paulo Coelho
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Born in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil in
1947
Always wanted to
be a writer
Worked at various
professions
Paulo Coelho
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"I always knew,” he
says, "that my
Personal Legend, to
use a term from
alchemy, was to
write.“
He was 38 when he
published his first
book.
Paulo Coelho
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Dropped out of law
school in 1970
Traveled through much of
South America, North
Africa, Mexico, and
Europe.
Successful career as
popular songwriter.
Paulo Coelho
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1974 imprisoned short
time by the military
dictatorship then ruling
in Brazil.
1980 walked the 500plus mile Road of
Santiago de Compostela
in northwestern Spain.
Paulo Coelho
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Coehlo achieved a
self-awareness and
spiritual
awakening that he
later described in
The Pilgrimage.
Fable

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Short narrative makes a moral
point
Traditionally by means of
animal characters who act like
human beings
Legend about supernatural or
mythical characters or events
Allegory

A representation of an abstract or spiritual
meaning through concrete or material forms
What is
ALCHEMY?
Alchemists have 2 main goals

Medieval scientists practiced
alchemy, hoping to produce gold
from less valuable metals. (Turn
metal into gold)

Alchemists also desired to
develop potions, known as elixirs,
to ensure good health and extend
life spans. (The Philosophers
Stone and/or The Elixir of Life)
Where did alchemy come from?

Founded in Egypt, alchemy was
practiced throughout the
Mediterranean regions and as far
away as China

They believed that all objects
consist of water, air, fire and earth

Early alchemy was controversial
and was opposed by many rulers
and religions
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Personal Legend = Your Destiny
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There are 4 obstacles to
overcome before you can
achieve your Personal Legend
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People tell you that your dream is
IMPOSSIBLE to achieve
LOVE
FEAR OF DEFEAT
FEAR OF REALIZING THE DREAM
The Alchemist
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Personal Legend =
Destiny
Our job is to pursue
our personal legend
despite the many
distractions placed in
our path
Lessons of The Alchemist
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Trust your heart
Read the seemingly
inconspicuous signs
Understand that as you
look to fulfill a dream, it
looks to find you, if you
let it
Sometimes you can find
extraordinary in the
ordinary.
Henry David Thoreau

“What a man thinks of himself, that is which
determines, or rather indicates, his fate.”
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“Go confidently in the direction of your
dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.”
The Story of Narcissus
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Once upon a time, there was a boy called Narcissus. He was
the son of a god and he was very, very handsome. Many
women fell in love with him, but he turned them away.
One of the women who loved Narcissus was a nymph
called Echo. Echo could not speak properly - she could only
repeat what was said to her, so she couldn't tell Narcissus
that she loved him. One day, when Narcissus was walking
in the woods with some friends, he became separated from
them. He called out "Is anyone here?" Echo replied "Here,
Here". Echo stepped forward with open arms, wanting to
cuddle him. But Narcissus refused to accept Echo's love.
Echo was so upset that she left and hid in a cave, until
nothing was left of her, except her voice.
Story continued…

The Maiden, a goddess, found out about this,
and she was very angry. She made Narcissus
fall in love with himself. When Narcissus
looked at his reflection in a pond one day, he
fell in love. He stayed on that spot forever,
until he died one day. Where he died a flower
grew, and that flower is called a Narcissus.