I just finished reading The Alchemist for the second time after many years and I forgot what a powerful book it is. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. Author Paul Coelho used a term throughout the book that I find very powerful - Personal Legend.
He describes it in this way, "It's what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At one 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."
Now I'm not sure I believe that every young person knows what their Personal Legend is, at least not consciously, but I do believe that at some point in our life, there's a stirring that takes place within, as our heart starts to reveal our Personal Legend to us.
For some, that Personal Legend may very well be there from day one, and for others, perhaps their Personal Legend changes form as they grow emotionally, spiritually and mentally. I know my Personal Legend has definitely changed throughout the years, although its theme has always remained constant - wanting to make a difference in people's lives. What I now know is my Personal Legend is just being executed differently than I originally thought it would.
Take some time to explore your Personal Legend. Go back as far as you can remember and see if there's anything still calling you. If there is, open up to the possibility that maybe, just maybe, you can take some steps to execute it in the present day. Remember, it may not have to take form they way you thought it should.
And that "mysterious force" mentioned in the above quote? Well, it's not so mysterious. Think of it as your Gremlin or anyone in your life that told you all the reasons why you can't or shouldn't.
"My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky.
"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." Paul Coelho - The Alchemist
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Sometimes my writing well runs a little dry so I would like to invite you to send any questions or ideas around spiritual awakening/growth that you would like me to address. I'd be happy to write something in this blog in response to your inquiries. You can click on the comment link at the bottom of this post to write your suggestions or send me an email directly. Linda@awakenthegeniewithin.com
Stories To Awaken The Genie Within - www.awakenthegeniewithin.com/wisdombook
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