ANCIENT& not so ancient WISDOM
offering a weekly positive perspective

August 4, 2005

"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." 

- Paulo Coelho (1947 - )

Paulo Coelho was born on August 24, 1947 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Paulo is an author. There are 370 translations in 60 languages of his books with sales exceeding 65 million copies in 150 countries. He practices Kyudo, a form of meditative archery. He wakes early and after a two-hour walk, he shoots 24 arrows using one of his three bows.

His books include The Pilgrimage, The Alchemist, Eleven Minutes, Warrior of Light, and Zahir. The quote above came from The Alchemist.

He has been a hippie, song lyric writer, and journalist. In 1986, Paulo walked a medieval pilgrim's route between France and Spain called the Road to Santiago. He described this experience in The Pilgrimage, published in 1987. The following year, his second book The Alchemist established his fame. He is recipient of numerous international awards. 

He writes in symbolic language that speaks to the heart and he once said that following your dream is like learning a foreign language; you will make mistakes but you will get there in the end. "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.

What is your Personal Legend? Who are your guides? How patient are you? Do you know the Soul of the World? Will you leave what you know to seek your Personal Legend?

Wishing you strength on your journey.

Sincerely,