I just thought I'd share with you two passages that I came across while re-reading Paolo Coehlo's The Alchemist. I always find it interesting to revisit a book when you're at a different point in your life, discovering new things, or resonating with first impressions. In this case, my mind was struck by the very same two passages that spoke to me a few years ago, and still speak to me today:

["Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend...It's a force that appears to be negative, but actually shows you how to realize your Personal Legend. It prepares your spirit and your will, because there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth...To realize one's destiny is a person's only real obligation." ]

["Well, why don't you go to Mecca now? asked the boy. Because it's the thought of Mecca that keeps me alive. I'm afraid that if my dream is realized, I'll have no reason to go on living... I just want to dream of Mecca. I've already imagined a thousand times crossing the desert, arriving at the Plaza of the Sacred Stone, the seven times I walk around it before allowing myself to touch it. I've already imagined the people who would be by my side, and those in front of me, and the conversations and prayers we would share. But I'm afraid that it would all be a disappointment, so I prefer just to dream about it."]

-Paolo Coelho, The Alchemist

Just some pools of thought for the weekend... Your thoughts are always welcome!

Happy Friday!