Have you ever planned…and planned…got excited about the plan…and then the plan flopped? Well I have–several times and each time I do I get caught up on my age. I’m only 24, but my original plan had me in a different place at this moment. When I first realized my plans weren’t going as I intended, I started drawing up a new map–in a different direction toward a different goal. I’m not saying that’s a horrible idea, I just know that wouldn’t have been appropriate for me. I am a person who builds everything upon self-fulfillment and personally this new goal wouldn’t have been as self-fulfilling. I would have redirected my path knowing that I failed at my passion, but took a turn that would fill my wallet. With that being said I didn’t take that route if you were wondering, so right now my wallet is always on E–but I’m ok with that for now.

“Don’t be impatient,” he repeated to himself. “It’s like the camel driver said:”Eat when it’s time to eat. ..And move along when it’s time to move along.”

About a month ago I had lunch with a friend and as always our conversation was geared toward goals, social issues and a few laughs. During the conversation he asked me to explain my five-year plan in detail. I was honest and responded with my current one year plan and explained that my five-year plan was vague because when I plan that far out in detail–nothing ever goes as planned and then I get frustrated. I told him that one of my greatest downfalls is that I am impatient. I like things to happen on my time as I have planned & God has shown me constantly my timing isn’t always correct. Yet, I refuse to give up. My friend understood where I was coming from, but insisted that I read “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. He simply said, “I promise the book will change your life and if it doesn’t–I owe you.” With that being said I purchased the book the next day.

I will go ahead and admit that each page along with the little shepherd boy left a powerful impact on my thinking as well as my goals–so Tim, I owe you! The entire plot focuses on all the troubles you will face on your path toward achieving your heart’s greatest desires and inspires you to see it all the way through.

“And when you want something…all the world conspires in helping you achieve it.”

I finished reading the book while on a short flight to Atlanta. When I finished I was emotional–not because the book was sad, but because everything came full circle as I applied it to my life. My neighbor decided to inquire about the book and introduce himself. It was definitely random, but I’m used to random because people love randomly talking to me and I just entertain the conversation. As we discussed the book he started asking a billion questions about my life, career, guessed my age and lots more. When we finished discussing the book he said, “Now I understand why you were so excited to talk about the book. You’re a dreamer ready to take risks…and I’m telling you there is no greater time than now, good luck!” All I could do was smile. It was such a coincidence that this writer from California, who was on a random trip in Georgia for a writer’s conference ended up next to me on a plane, missed his connecting flight (like me) and started picking my brain about risk taking and achieving my dreams. I was inspired.

In “The Alchemist,” you’ll follow the shepherd Santiago as he meets strangers, deals with his doubt, stares his fears in the face, loves and works to achieve his dreams in spite of it all.

With that being said–read the book because if I don’t stop here I will spoil it for you. However, I will say strive to be like the little shepherd boy! Dream, defeat your doubt, look your fear in the face and keep fighting for your dreams until they come to pass.

“People are capable,at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”

Know that it is never too late to dream, never too late to redirect your path to focus on the dream and it is never too late to achieve all that you’ve been dreaming of! Take risks, be confident in your risks and watch your dreams unfold. Paulo Coelho said it best, “Never stop dreaming…”