It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes like interesting"  --Paulo Coehlo, "The Alchemist"

Everyone has their own dream, their life's aspirations. When I read Paulo Coehlo's "The Alchemist", it had become my "handbook" in finding my purpose and what my real dream is, and the "adventure" had just started. For in the book, where Santiago had always had this dream about a treasure, so he traveled and found it.

The Alchemist book by Paulo Coehlo

*Image is mine

 

What is my dream?

To write something that could speak of what I feel.

I dreamed of putting my thoughts into words, picturing them through my writing and making the readers feel how I felt while penning it down

Yes.

Just like Santiago in the book of Paulo Coehlo, "The Alchemist", I have this dream that has never gone through the years. It has always burning inside me despite the long journey of finding my purpose in life. It has always been here, just inside my heart.

The dream that has started when I started to read novels when I was in high school, told myself, "I wanted to write something like this", but I have to set it aside to get a bachelor's degree and concentrate on it.

But it was when I saw an online writing site, I tried to go write and I felt something, there is this feeling of liberation inside my heart and soul.

 

Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure"--Paulo Coehlo, "The Alchemist"

 

Online Writing Sites

 

If there is one thing I am happy with the internet is having those online writing sites. I have no formal training with writing, I wanted to, but due to time constraint, I can't. And with the writing sites, I came across with few good people who see what i trying to tell, that somehow helped me in boosting my self esteem, that I have that potential and at the same time, I am earning.

Here are online writing sites I have joined.

 

• Bubblews

  . This is my first where I put my "writing stint". I learned and earned a lot in here. Learned how things go, and earned, not just money but also friends. People can really be warm too even on the virtual world. But when things had started to get shaky, I stepped back and it is like a self confession that I am more on the "money side".

 

• Bitlanders

  . When Bubblews bites the dust, few friends that I met there came here. But then I found myself weighing things on what I really like, money or writing. I put more time on my offline job and get myself focus on it.

 

• MyLot

  . Some may not know, but I have been there for two years now. I know some who are writing there and at the same time here on Bitlanders. It is the place that I write, or maybe more on discuss, my outlet rather with how my day had gone. The site where I get reconnected with few nice people in Bubblews.     

  

The road that I am taking.

There is only one way to learn. It's through action. Everything you need to know, you have learned through your journey" Paulo Coehlo, "The Alchemist"

 

Photo is mine and was taken in Corregidor Island

 

 I have just started taking the first few steps.

Might have written few on some writing online sites, but never had the chance to write a piece that I can truly share for larger "audience". Something I can truly be proud of, that speaks of what I am capable of, more than writing short poems and sharing a certain thought, I want more.

But the journey is not smooth.

With the reviews I am getting, it can be frustrating, sometimes I think of, "what else should I do?" or "Am i really into this?". Questioning what I did, doubting my capability.

I stepped back. Read what I wrote. Instead of quitting, I keep on trying, taking down notes to every review. I have to LEARN, where learning means pushing myself more, reading more tips. Those comments from those who have earned five stars here, I really take them seriously. 

This journey is indeed had just started.

What will I be writing?

Give yourself freedom to try out new things. Don't be so set in your ways that you can't grow"--Paulo Coehlo, "The Alchemist"

There are many things that I wanted to write, I want to be flexible and at the same time not compromising what I love, for wider range of readership. 

And I made a few lists of what I am planning to write.

1. Travels. This is like hitting two birds with one stone for me. I wanted to travel, I just need "funds", and while getting "funds", I have to write my previous travels with my colleagues and family for now.

What is with writing about my recent travel is that, I wanted to promote the place, with the pictures and pen down what is there, filling the imaginations of the readers with great sceneries just through reading.

Photo is mine taken on the port of Mariveles

 

2. Book review. I love reading books. There are books that I can say a "keeper", but there are that I consider "mundane". But as far as I know, some maybe loving to read what I don't love, or vice versa. And for now,I have taken somebooks from the self and I will be reading again those books (some has been for the nth time), for me to get into that review. This can be considered, doing two things that I love to do. 

But before I could write one, I have to read "how tos" since I really have no idea how to make one review.

Photo of some of my books.

 

3. Music. I have my own life's playlists, my own "soundtrack". I have few favorite songs, in every genre, not just in one.

What will I be writing with regards to music would be either a review with an album, recommending songs or maybe interpreting what the song is all about. Who doesn't want to listen to music that has this "poetic lyrics"?

Image is screen grabbed by me.

 

4. Life as a whole. This can either be random based on my experience, with few lines that I or they can live by. This can be considered a "heartful" piece. A piece that can be helpful in some aspect, the emotional aspect.

The world can be tough, this is my way of reaching out.

Image is mine.

 

5. Food. Food that can be either its history or what is the food is all about. 

I am a foodie by heart. Eating food is an adventure for me too, for it showcase history and culture of a certain place. And who can say "NO" to food? And there is so much story with regards to food, and it is not just about the tastes and hot it is being prepared.

Image is mine, one of the soups I cooked.

The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never forget the drops of oil on the spoon"--Paulo Coehlo, "The Alchemist"

 

Things that I keep in mind.

Since I have just started, I have few things to keep and as my guidance to my journey, for I know there is more instore for me. That when I feel like giving up, I have a dose of "energizer". I am not a "life coach", but I am my own life coach, because the only person that can make me better is myself.

Work in Progress.

Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than suffering itself. And that no heart has ver suffered when it goes in search of its dreams"--Paulo Coehlo, "The Alchemist"

I may not know much of writing, its technicalities, but it is accepting that fact that I am a person, who is still in "work in progress". 

Yes, a work that means, I am still making it there. I can not be just to proud of myself, that I know everything, when in reality I don't. My admission will become the "foundation" of taking whatever advice people would give me.

It also means, I am open to suggestions and criticisms, be it destructive or constructive, I have to be tough.

 

Don't quit and keep on trying.

No project is completed until its objective has been achieved" Paulo Coehlo, "The Alchemist"

How can I finish a project if I quit?

How can I make a dream come true when I stopped chasing it?

These are the questions I always lived by, in everything that I do. I almost gave up one time, but told myself to try again. Instead of getting frustrated with what is happening, or the results, I stepped back. Gave a more thinking on what should be the best, or I have to be better.

 

And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it"--Paulo Coehlo, "The Alchemist"

We all wanted something, dreamed of becoming someone. We just have to make a step towards that dream, take that step, take an action. The road can be threatening for some, unleash that hidden courage inside you, take that risk.

Fighting!

 

P.S. The book was bought in a garage sale when I was in Hong Kong, it is being sold for $HK5.00. "The Alchemist" is my first Paulo Coehlo book, since then, I have been buying his books. Never thought that the book can become a "priced" treasure for me.

 

 

*Image is credited to Paulo Coehlo Quotes