I have given up on PokemonGo (applause please).
During my two weeks of obsessing over the game, I started walking to and from work (2.5mi each way) to catch more Pokemon and hatch Pokemon eggs. My obsession has died down, but I did keep the habit of walking to work on my off (from the gym) days. So I guess a happy ending after all 🙂
The walk takes about 50 minutes door to door, which is almost the perfect amount of time for an episode of On Being, one of my favorite podcasts. Today, the interview was with Paulo Coelho, whose most famous book is The Alchemist.
I read The Alchemist a while back, and did not find it as life changing as some said. I always thought the quote everyone remembers — “and, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” — was a bit fluffy.
The universe doesn’t do you any favors, you have to work for what you want. That’s my philosophy.
During the interview, Krista brought up the quote, and Paulo told the backstory behind his most successful book. Originally written in Portuguese, the book’s first edition sold only 900 copies, and was returned by the publisher. By then, Paulo decided that he had to continue being a writer, or he would die. Not physically, but in the spiritual sense. And he believed in the book, so he knocked on one door, then another, until one opened.
It took 15 years for the book to get on the New York Times Bestsellers List. It has been there for 400+ weeks.
The quote now takes on a much different meaning to me. When you want something, you have to work hard for it. No one’s going to hand you your dreams on a silver platter. But when you actually achieve that something, you don’t look back and say, wow, look at what my hard work has brought me. You thank the universe for conspiring to make it happen, and express gratitude for everyone who helped you along the way.
That’s true humility.
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