Paulo Coelho and the Winner “}
Today I received this box and inside of it I found my new book « The Winner is Alone » - the Brazilian edition that is coming out now in my country – and in the rest of the world throughout 2009.
As it always happens, I felt very excited about it – throughout the process of writing the book as well as seeing the physical object. It feels like a new baby and I still have the same feeling that I had when I released my first book “The Pilgrimage” in 1987.
So here’s my question of the week: What type of work gives you pleasure?
I work for myself, making jewellery. So I get excited every time I complete a piece and it becomes my new favourite (until the next one comes along).
Kathleen xxoo
Work that is useful or gives pleasure to others… Love, Paul
If only I knew it I’ll be rich by now!
Thanks
Damien
Hi Paulo
I love your work, your such a gentle inspiring writer.
I work in recruitment so the excited feeling your describing happens to me every time I find someone a new job.
Love
Karen
When I have surprised a client with excellent service, which they are not accustomed to, that gives me pleasure in my work. But if I was able to do the “work” I am passionate about, ie, singing and dancing…that would give me joy in my soul. I long for that again.
Write is the better!
At this very moment in my Life, the kind of job that would give me pleasure would be to be a full time student and also to work for people and another creatures I Love giving them a good Life.
Learning what my beloved one need to be happy and then do my best to give it to him.
Thank you very much for the question, dear Paulo, because it reminded me of how lucky and happy I am to get pleasure from so many things that I do in life! Let me begin with my profession. I am a teacher and a translator of English and Spanish. As a translator, I think I can imagine what you feel every time you get a copy of your new book. In 2005 I was offered for the first time to make a serious translation for a catalogue of an international exhibition that took place in many cities of Russia and abroad. The work was challenging and I had some doubts, but I decided to take risks and now I am happy that I did, because it gave me lots of pleasure! I felt happy and satisfied every time I managed to find the right way to convey an idea from my native Russian into English. I got pleasure from making lots of discoveries and learning new facts due to the subject of the text that I was translating. Finally, I had an indescribable feeling when I held a fresh-printed catalogue and read my name on the front page. I was not proud, I was surprised and speachless and emotional.
As a teacher, I tend to get more pleasure when I give classes for a group of students than from my private lessons. A few years ago, I started to work as a teahcer of Spanish in one of Moscow Universities, and I remember exactly when I felt happy and satisfied with my work for the first time. It was at the beginning of March. I asked my students to share they opinions about two human characteristics: envidia (envy) and codicia (greed). I encouraged them to speak and they got so enthusiastic that I just sat watching them and listening to what they were saying. Suddenly I realized that a few months ago these young people could not say a word in Spanish and now they were able to make a discussion, to express their ideas in this language. That was marvellous!
Apart from my profession, I am a “crafstwoman”, meaning: I am fond of knitting and emroidering and making clothes and small bags. To sit knitting a complicated pattern in order to create a piece of clothing for me or for a person I love is my way of praying to God, of expressing my gratitude for being here, for living. I feel free, happy, alive and saturated.
i think, the work that gives me pleasure, would probably work that i done with passion and love…
Good Morning,
Paulo (and the others!)
I work in a television, and when I work to a piece of news I feel a lot of adrenaline, because I’m writing: with text, with images, with music, with interviews. My mind becomes the filter, the sieve, of everithing. So I try to use this possibility in order to produce something of positive for all. I try to be a little witness for the beautiful things of the life. Even when the facts are negative. I’m alive when my news are broadcasted, because in that moment my mind is connected to a lot of other minds.
Thank you for your weekly question,
this is another way to be connected all togheter and
to share the positive of everything and everyone.
i guess the kind of work that gives me pleasure is something that would give some one else happy. that’s what gives me pleasure. it’s the sense of happiness that vibrates off of them and when it reaches me…i get happy as well. so i guess making other people happy gives me pleasure….even if it is for a little time
Why does work have to be pleasure? How do you define work from pleasure, and how do you combine them?
Wouldn’t you say those are more important questions to ask?
Because sometimes it’s hard to find pleasure in any work. And normally when you do find pleasure in it, it’s not defined as “work” but more so as hobbies or activities.
Querido Paulo,
muchas felicidades por tu nuevo libro, yo soy Auxiliar de Enfermeria, pero descubrí hace justo un año, que me encanta hacer videos en youtube:) me da mucha satisfaccion, sé lo que se siente, cada video mio es como un hijo, un bebe recien nacido:) y si, me da mucho placer y satisfacion hacer videos y seguire haciendolos si Dios quiere.
Muchisimo exito en tu nueva novela!!
un gran abrazo y besos
Love
Pilar
For me, any work which gives me a sense of accomplishment, gives pleasure…….whether be it, when I have watered the plant or would have stood in the sun waiting for the rain…..
I write articles often and post them online, through my blog and I get really excited upon completion of such articles.
In terms of work, I get the same sense of excitement or rather, satisfaction whenever I hand in a particular report of which i’ve been spending countless late nights on. And also to see the excitement in other people’s faces, grants me the due satisfaction.
Looking forward to your new book, Mr Paulo!
Cheers,
Kenji
When you see smile on someone’s face even for a moment, when you bring the light into the world around however small the world can be.
love
Agnieszka
I work in the health field. Some of us consider this just a job while others are here to give of themselves. I get pleasure when I can see in the eyes of the patients that I come in contact with, that I have made their stay better in whatever way possible. We just need to stop and listen for one minute, even if the patient can’t speak.
The most rewarding work that I have ever done (and there has been some variety), is working with my daughter, I also teach children reading voluntarily in a local school. It is fantastic.
I recently received a present (three sunflowers) for my help, and my heart felt so appreciated, much more than any bonus that I have ever received.
In return for me teaching them, they have taught me much more.
Learning new things, has always fascinated me.. Meeting people from different cultures and becoming friends make me happy. I have always been a ..daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and I was doing things ….expected from me! I like to have a beautiful home and take care of everything. I do all these things, in a ….trance, dreaming… I was ‘lucky’ I have never worked, because my parents had given me..property as…dowry!! Well, I worked hard to improve it and complete it, building flats for my daughters too. This adventure, with contractors, architects, authorities, courts, adbitrations, tenants e.t.c. have absorbed my whole energy, for more than ten years. But to be honest,I really did not care… I just wanted to do my best… The only thing that really gives me wings in life is Music, in every aspect and then time ..stops. My dream was to become a concert pianist but my ….destiny or Karma, has decided otherwise. I am a Lawyer’s wife and know from first hand that Justice and …Laws are far apart!! My daughters have both studied Law, the younger is teaching at the university in England. Of course, one of my biggest pleasures is reading…So thank you, Paulo Coelho, for everything you have given us and for ..BEING THERE. LOVE, THELMA
I love doing my art or my knitting and then giving it to someone! Much Joy in the creating and the giving! Pepper
I love travelling to new places, meet different people, listen to music and read. But I don’t know if these can be called as work. I am working to earn money for living but I don’t love or atleast like what I do.
If only everyone would work in a field that gave him pleasure , this world would be so much ‘happier’..
For me, the only one work that gives me pleasure is composing Music..Everytime i m composing new pieces and songs i feel like a little child when their parents give him a present..When i m in front of my piano and my fingers play the notes, it feels like i am one with the Universe, like i have everything i ever wished for..i feel free and i feel in tune with my inner self..it is the only way that i can express all my feelings..and come to terms with myself..
Greater pleasure would be if any one of these piecies would bring light or joy to someone that listens to it, or maybe heal his/her wounds..
My dearest Thelma, maybe in another life you ll be a concert pianist..maybe i ll be there, clapping..;)
Love and Graditude
Annie
The work that gives me pleasure is translating text. I feel most passionate about translating books that bring something good to this world.
Oi Paulo!
Notícias boas chegando no meu e-mail… Livro novo na área! Não me aguento de curiosidade.. vontade enorme de receber o mesmo pacote, com o mesmo conteúdo…
Sucesso! Joice, renovada após oito dias de retiro espiritual…
When i am able to open doors which have been closed for a long time…..even though it sometimes takes months or years to open them….. To be a part of and whitness THAT moment. That miracle. Makes the broken. Healed. Makes Life. Shine. In all it´s Glory.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhbjvx23_5k&feature=related
Congratulations on the release of your new book. Can’t wait to read it!
For me pleasure comes with accomplishments and fulfillment of goals. Once I finished a long, hard project I’ve been working on I feel ecstatic; there’s nothing better that seeing the results of hard work and perseverance.
Lots of things give me pleasure ,excitement like doing Gods work -helping people who are sick or less fortunate -but mostly like Mr Coelho has said * creating something ,like a birth of new baby or passion .Thankyou again -Irene.
Terese,
I do not understand you and I do not think that your question is more important.
The most important is understand which work gives you pleasure and move towards
I am not sure if it was Platon, Greek philosopher, or somebody else that said in one of his works: Who choose the work he loves he plays (amuse himself) whole life !
I love solving other people’s problem and that is exactly what I do most of my time, every single solution done good makes me happy.
What will make me even more happy would be writing succesfuly and so earning my daily bread. If only …!
Love
Luce
O Partido Pirata Argentino otorga a condecoração:
Cavaleiro da Ordem de Bouchard em Grau Máximo a Paulo Coelho.
Pela sua contribuição à liberação de arquivos na Internet.
Se quiserem conhecer o Partido Pirata Argentino.
Hi Paulo,
Congratulations on your new books. :)
I’m still a student, but I love to make small handicrafts. Such as greeting cards and so on, it’s a pleasure to me to know that the people whom I give my small handicrafts to enjoy them. I enjoy to cook too, so it’s nice to know that my family and friends enjoy my cooking.
love,
Amanda
My work equals happiness and excitement, and I feel truly blessed for enjoying my work so much. I have worked as a personal assistant to an amazing little boy, for the last 5 years. He has cerebral palsy and a an autism-like behaviour and my work includes (amongst many other things) helping him understand and make sense of the world around him, or doing training sessions to increase his strength and mobility. It is very challenging and rewarding for both of us and we can spend hours discussing even the smallest things for hours. I sometimes feel as I learn more from him than the other way around, because he makes me think about the world from other perspectives and he makes think about what people say and do and how we display body language and feelings and such - in order to be able to explain to him how people behave and interact and how we are “supposed” to understand and behave. I don’t think I would be as aware as I am about my surrounding and how I speak and act, if I would not ne asked to explain it. As you can hear, this little boy is a very strong source of inspiration to me and I think that I feel excitement and fulfilness because of everything he gives back to me - unconditional love and his absolute trust in me makes me feel truly appreciated and it is also such an amazing feeling to be needed and to be able to make a difference in someone’s life.
When I am writing a script and the story begins to guide itself. Like, a turn is taken on its own, one I did not plan, and when it comes to me - I begin to chase it and bring it onto the page or the outline and that… it is like magic - I love the feeling! Thank you P.C. for your weekly inspirations. I love your soul. :-)
I like to cook. There is nothing better then cooking for a bunch of people and them telling you that they love what you made.
When I draw and write with children :) They have such wild imaginations
Work+pleasure=creativity&humanity
I am a theatre artist and love all aspects of it, particularly writing and acting. I always learn something new and profound about myself and the human condition; and somehow feel like I am doing something for the “larger good” especially for those who share in the experience with me.
Hey Paulo,
I believe it’s a very nice book, at least I loved the way the cover looks like. I also found the website of the portuguese version for the book, http://www.ovencedorestaso.com.br/, I wish I knew how to read portuguese to understand it. I loved the look of the website also!
I also find yoga quite pleasurable (and painful!)
I think I have always had a preference for giving service to people. I’ve been working in a schoollibrary, as a housecleaner and now in a helpdesk. It always fills me with great joy when I’m able to do a good job and recieve feedback full of gratefullness. It can be very simple and easy things, but to someone else they mean very much. A new discovered favourite author (and God knows how influenced you are by what you read when you’re young!), a shining bathroom or the possibility to continue working on the important project when your computer is not messing with you anymore.
I love writing, but more than that (maybe?) I love communication between people. That said - I still have loads to learn…
*smile*
Josephine
Caroline from Sweden…..Thank you sooooooooo very much for sharing this and your BEAUTIFUL rare understanding and attitude. You are making a huge difference…. in so many aspects. And you two - are making this world. More beutiful to be. Within.
I would love to get in touch with you.
With Love Ninni Rebecca (Sweden)
“I don’t like guns”, that was my first impression because they are a symbol of violence, but after all it’s not fair to judge a book from it’s cover, and since it’s your creation then I’m shore that it’s a masterpiece, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your new BABY.
What makes me really happy is when I make someone happy.
I’m an actress and the whole process of putting up a play or shooting a film is rewarding, but I think the most exiting is when you first get the script, you’re like a blank canvas and there are so many choices you can make so your creativity fuels your soul and you get like a shot of adrenaline and you can’t even sleep… Of course the best part after that is when you hear applause, I’d like to think I’m showering in grace, just to know that you reached at least one human being with you work is priceless.
I’m reading “again” the Zahir, this time in English; very inspirational. So yes, I can answer your questions:
Work is not always pleasurable… some days it can be immensely… and some times… just another day passed by. I’m a designer, every time I see my design comes to life, physically there, I feel good, I feel satisfaction. I do forget the things I had to go through to make it happen… but the result is worth it. I don’t feel that shot of adrenaline though, I just feel good.
When I write, and that doesn’t happen a lot, I feel I’m in a different world, the actual time I spend writing, the journey of writing if you want, IS like a shot of adrenaline. It is an exciting adventure. Same with painting. The result could be satisfactory or not, it doesn’t matter, the journey is what matters.
nora
Oi Paulo!!
que orgulho pelo seu talento, trabalho e sucesso!!
eu sei que cada um tem uma estrela e uma luz e espero que a minha brilhe um dia também!
vc é motivo de orgulho para nós brasileiros!
love youuuuuuuuuu!
Paulo,
Acabei de ler. É fantástico. Muito diferente dos outros. Muito. Excelente. Um livro ótimo. Sem palavras…
Agrande
Abraço
P.S. Vou colocar outra foto (já coloquei segurando O Alquimista) no site da exposição segurando este novo livro!
What I love doing is reading spiritual books like yours, and then sharing what I learned with my friends, I love explaining new spiritual concepts to them, I love to read, I can read for a couple of hours a day easily, although not always have the time, I like to meditate, and do Spiritual practices, I think I would really like to be a Priestess.
Other than that, I learned to work with Stained glass a few years back, and I would loose track of time, because I would be so focus on my work, but haven’t done it for a while, I also like to cook but not every day, and gardening.
I was taking Spiritual Healing classes, but at the moment I don’t feel guided to practice giving healing to people other than my children, it may be just a phase, who knows, sickness brings important lessons to people, woudn’t like to take that away from them, I guess God will let me know if this is my path to be a healer, I think everybody can heal themselves if they learn and have faith. I think to be a Priestess atracts me more at this time, or Preacher, working for God in whatever He/She want me too!!!
Hey paulo,i am beenish from pakistan and congratulations on your new book! I am still a student so cant talk about professional life.however otherwise the thing that makes me the most happy is dancing-just turning on any kind of music and interpreting every word and sound putting it into a form of art- that is what gives me the most pleasure.Also meeting new people no matter what religion nationality or culture.The pleasure in being able to touch somebodies life which is so different than yours makes me really happy =p
Very good question Paulo,
A question has to be well understood before putting a comment or writing an article or even writing a book about it. A nice and beautiful question is such that it gives loads of lessons in our personal, professional life.
Now, the question is- “what kind of work gives pleasure”. The question has “kind of” which is asking a variety, types or the work or many of the work or different kinds of work. It contains the word called “pleasure”. Now to associate the word such as pleasure with the different kind of the work it is not easy.
A person can do many different kind of work. He can have many different identities. He can be a son, at the same time he can also be father, a humble husband, a worker in some company and so on.
If “kind of” is related with the identities then he has to change is multiple identities depending upon the time and circumstances. But again, if “kind of” is related only with the professional work then it is relatively easier than the previous explanation.
Right from the childhood to the very end of a human study we tend to change our path or destination. We do not know what is our main goal or what are we doing with the present course work in school or present work in the office. We tend to change many of the times the work that we have been doing or the course we have been attending or any social activity we are doing at the moment. To relate with the question asked, I would ask again- Why?
The main answer to this question is that- “realize it for yourself”. The most important thing in life is to understand what do you want. Do you need a money ? Do you need a pleasure ? Do you need a nice car, or big house or some materialistic things ?
The “need” drives us to the destination. The need of something will always demand from us to do something. Therefore, it is important to understand what do you need ?
After understanding for yourself, then you do the work. The work could be anything. But once we start to work we should be able to stick to it. This is the most difficult part. It is difficult because, we get lazy and we do not again want to visit the same office every day. We do not then tend to feel as if we really are finding any pleasure in such work.
While you are working, money is important but above money “determination”, “satisfaction” and “attitude” are more important. These elements will not give you the pleasure but these will motivate you to stick or hang in to the work you have been doing lately.
Work is some how related with search of soul mate. Once we understand what kind of person will be our soul mate and we then put all our effort to maintain the relationship with him or her. Similarly, work can be many but once we match the our needs with the work we have been doing; we then tend to stick with the work in front of us.
Therefore, as we are many and all our thinking is different, our taste is different definitely one will find work A better than work B but it is not the case- the most important aspect is to understand what you need and then match your needs with the work given to you. Once this is done, you will not have to search for the pleasure because it will come automatically.
Can’t wait to read The Winner is Alone..2009? may i know in what month?
My pleasure would be when things that i’ve done being appreciated by other, whether it’s my story, poetry, song or any other form of writing.
guiding meditation
writing
healing
guiding someone to sense their energy
being present when someone sees their own light
sharing about Medicine and Energetic awareness
sharing about seeing thru the eyes of love
Photography!!! I hope it is something I will eventually do for a living, not just as a hobby…
I woke early this morning, but that’s not unusual. What was unusual, though, was to see a wondrous reflection on my bedroom wall. Some sunlight was peeping through the split curtain. It already had to come through the glass and my American shutters with louvers half open. The patterns (light and shadow) created were perfect. The very unusual thing about it was the fact that with the sun moving on (nothing stays the same!) the reflection on the wall changed and I witnessed a perfect eclipse where the cross bar of the shutter prevented the sunlight from coming through!
…. and then the reflection/ light appeared again.
That’s what gives me pleasure. Looking and seeing. It fills me with wonder, it gives me peace: being able to see is pure joy; and you know what? -> it’s free.
I have been looking for 30 years, designing interiors, and I am seeing more and more. I am in the process of changing my career from interior designer to photographer… to capture the wondrous moments in time.
g
x
After loosing a career path job I briefly was able to work as a manual laborer in a very quiet greenhouse in the spring in Northern Vermont. I was able to watch seeds grow and would loose track of time with the tactile pleasure of my hands in the soil ,surrounded by verdant green leaf,eventually, blossoms and this was pleasurable work which brought joy to my “self”.
Having to survive I returned to my “care giving
role” and find deeper pleasure in just being and establishing relationships which are constantly evolving and mutually rewarding.
Learning true hard and sweet lessons of life growth.
Nothing complex…Nothing heroic
“living”
@ Ninni Rebecca. Thank you, my friend, for sharing the ‘you tube’ “Beautiful Mind” with us and remind us of the important things of life. LOVE, Thelma
Painting is complete ectsasy for me, every time I finish one a smile creeps across my face and I remember the highs and lows. I’m loving and living the process over again! The best part is that while I paint I have absolutely no idea how it’ll turn out, spontainety is the ruler in this art. I make a plan, but not so I can follow it, but more to inform my body of what I’m about to begin, to get physicaly prepared!
And when it is finished I look at it and recognise every stroke and movement, I feel as if everything, even the mistakes, were meant to be. It becomes the best I’ve done so far, and I always find my inner mistery in those sweet moments of peace. And I am glad.
I suddenly become aware of the hand that guided mine, and the hand of God is beautiful! Painting gives me pleasure, it’s not my hobby it’s my life, my world, my love!
I’m so happy Paulo wrote a new book, I’m already impatient to read it, already pondering over the title!
Thank you!
The joy of working in something that you like is very, very good and for me I guess, is also important the recognition, a collective charing of what was made.
I feel good when the work is alive with others.
The type of work I like most is related to the Visual Arts and Decorative arts.
Thank you THELMA <3 AND THANK YOU PAULO <3 THANK YOU ALL <3
FOR SHARING. It means so much to me.
MUCH LOVE Ninni Rebecca
I like to work on things where I have room to do something additional and apply my creativity and knowledge to the same. Some work which is intellectually stimulating:).
Al momento non ho un lavoro….però trovo piacere e amo dipingere, fare fotografie, mi piace vedere il lavoro finito e mi da molta soddisfazione!!
Hello Paulo and everybody…okay, this was a tough one because I really love writing and I take pleasure seeing every work I write…however, I have to be honest, and after a lot of soul searching…I have to admit that cooking gives me so much pleasure. I am always happy when whatever I cook comes out exactly as I imagine it. I also get great pleasure from feeding people and watching them eat my food.
Alas, can it really be food?
Hi Paulo,
it’s the first time I’m writing in this blog. I’m from Italy. I love your books and I read them 2/3 times because I always find new feelings in them.
My job is selling brakes and clutches of industrial machinery and I feel pleasure when I find new customers. Sometimes is very difficult because you have to find out the suitable material for a special machinery. So you can work hard for months trying to do the best and when I have success I’m very happy.
At the same time I write poetry so when the inspiration is in my heart I put it in words. I love my poetry,I don’t know if they are good or not but I love them because they are part of my soul, part of me.
Ciao
Annamaria
Dear Paulo ,
I’m a huge fan of your inspiring thoughts and layout and although I haven’t read many of your books it just strikes me , teaches me a whole aspect and new measures to be sought and admired and questioned even .
What gives me the adrenaline rush and all the excitment , is when I get to offer a sick person the slightest hope or makes someone feel better , Im from Sudan , final year medical student , living the uncalculated moments. And generally to see my hard work paying off and sometimes surprising me , another thing is the surprise which is never to be calculated coincidences that are innovatin , certain moments which might or might not involve love , to see good take place in the appropriate way .. thats why I end choosing this carrier to give as many and offer comfort and serenity. Thank you sir for this open-ness that you bring about with every word you write and its really embracing and genuinely librating ..
I thrive to feel such impulses when i write, but it does not always rings that bell, cooking also works sometmies for an artistic person as I .
Thank you .. Love,
Rayan
Thanks Ninni Rebecca for your kind words, it really made my day! If you want to contact me, you can send me an email (carolinetamm@hotmail.com), I tried to send you a message on MySpace but since I’m not a member there, I couldn’t. Xox /Carro
Greetings Paulo
I am at the moment at student but the work that would bring me alot of joy would be spreading trying to alleviate the pain of another through media
~
Desiree,India
I think WORK as it self make People happy because they feel useful.
On the other hand…not many people are happy with the work they do, although they make it and feel a part of this world.
Now in my case, its definitely writing, without wrtiting i couldnt express my self and find to my heart, so every word im writing is another piece of the way to my light.
And till the day i can live with writing, WORK as itself its only a means to an end……
Thank You
Rob
I don’t know which work make me happy but which type of work I know!It’s still difficult for me to understand this,i feel almost stoic after successful or unsuccessful completion of a task.I enjoy the time of struggle at work.I have just started my career as software engineer few months back.
The most exciting part of my work is when I am exposed to some new technology.The initial struggle to understand it,the fear of failure and then overcoming that fear.I have enjoyed my failures better than success.
Which work gives you pleasure?
Wouldn’t an activity that gives you pleasure would be your passion rather than just ‘work’. It is true that we should perform every action with equal enthusiasm, yet a human nature always differentiates between work and passion when it comes to enthusiasm. So would work would remain work if it starts giving you pleasure?
Apologies if there’s any mistake in my view. Thank you.
The work that give me stisfacyion is the one in which I find satisfaction,might be something related to other people ,cultures,languages.Must be a work in which my efforts be recognized.For example I was involved in a commercial activity,I worked for an Italian coorporation,travelled a lot.Was amazing.Also i like to work in a field that implies brain,Art,Literature,Psychology.I have not found yet the exact job that would sui me 100 per cent,but I feel I am near.
Creating music/art brings me joy.
Hola Paulo!! Que alegría saber que ya tines un nuevo libro que prooonto (si Dios quiere) podré leer. Espero llegue pronto a Caracas. Lo que más me da placer en esta vida es tomar fotografias.. Por ahora es solo un hobby, pero nunca se sabe. También me encanta cocinar y fabricar buhos en fieltro. Colecciono buhos y ultimamente estoy dedicada a fabricar buhos de fieltro de varios modelos para agregar a mi colección. Creo que todo lo que hacemos si lo hacemos con amor debería de llenarnos de satisfacción. Aunque sea algo pequeño sin importancia.! Que Dios te siga iluminando. Besos mil y un gran abrazo… <
Dear Paulo,
I feel real pleasure when I lay in the grass, listening the insects singing; I feel I’m alive when I surrender myself to the sky, smell the wind and taste the rain.
I will reborn when all the atoms of my body will melt in the sea, be carried away with the waves and vapor in the sun; and so the leaves of tree, the blades of grass and singing birds will breath me.
Then, I’ll be complete!
Yours truly,
Magdalena
Some moments are sad and happy at the same time and make me feel so happy it sometimes brings a tear to my eyes. To be present and listen to an individual, and make a difference in this persons life, is very fulfilling. One example is, I had to bid farewell to a lady, a single mother with eight children, who I had seen for one hour each week for one year. She had shared everything with me, how she was sexually abused by her step dad, and then by her husband and his son and now tried to kill herself because she couldn’t cope with the scary idea of being on her own away from abusive relationships. I made her laugh when I told her I called the police when my husband threw my prayer books around. She couldn’t believe I called emergency for this kind of “abuse”, when she had been beaten half to death, without ever calling 911. Also I talked to her about other abuse stories, how a friend of mine grew up being called “the poisonous dwarf” by his mother, and how this emotional abuse hurt him. Anyway, my lady, now had started in college, and is looking to finish a BA, and in my job I was being relocated to another town, and had to end the weekly support. I was nervous about how she would react and sorry not to be able to meet with her anymore. When I left her house, and I wished her best of luck with her new better life, she said; “You are leaving me in a better state than you found me”…… At that moment she was stronger than me, and I knew she will be ok on her own.
Me intriga e admira sua história.
Hoje, com 25 anos, estou começando minha jornada e é muito bom ver onde desaguou a vida de muitas pessoas.
Há pouco tempo voltei ao Brasil de um período sabático na Holanda e me orgulhava ver seus livros nas prateleiras de lá.
Sou arquiteta e boxeadora. Saber da sua vontade de patrocinar um boxeador me animou a escrever essa carta.
Lendo sua entrevista à Revista Claudia, pensei em como é engraçado esses motivos que nos damos para adiar um compromisso. Essa carta facilmente seria um deles…
Mas é bom saber que todos sofremos com os mesmos impulsos e comodidades.
Não sei exatamente como funciona o incentivo ao boxe feminino em outros países, mas no Brasil, como se sabe, qualquer coisa que não seja futebol masculino anda às duras penas.
Acho que o fato de este ainda não ser um esporte olímpico desanima muitas garotas, pois sem um objetivo claro, praticamos a luta apenas pelo prazer.
Não luto há muito tempo, mas sou boa no que faço. Desde o começo me dedico buscando a profissionalização, porém conciliar arquitetura e boxe é atividade pesada e às vezes não me dedico tanto quanto gostaria ou deveria.
Acredito que muitas pessoas acharam seus anjos na vida, alguns encontros ainda estão por vir, outros nunca acontecerão…
Patrocinar um atleta é permitir não só que seu sonho, mas também seu propósito de vida seja realizado.
Não adie esse compromisso!
Jabs,
Ieda
Hay dos trabajos que me llenan mucho y me dan mucho placer, uno como odontopediatra; cuando veo irse a los niños con una sonrisa o regresan diciendome que ya tenían ganas de verme, para mi es lo maximo, y otro trabajo que me da ese placer son todas las cosas que hago creando en mi computadora. Me hacen muy feliz las dos cosas.
The target should be that whatever You do try to enjoy about what you are doing and find joy, happiness & pleasure around You. If we just concentrate on the time offered for the issues which gives the most pleasure for us, we waste a lot of our time and not see and study what is happening around us. This morning I used public transportation to work, car not available, inside the 40 min bus trip could be easily realise that many persons were allready in their workplace, they were not there inside the bus, just sitting silent without any living sign in eyes. What I suggest that everybody tries to find the happiness and pleasure even from the everyday routines. Everyday will give us the feeling of pleasure !
There are many definitions of what “work” is, but for me, I’ll say it is something that I must do to survive, or keep the lifestyle that I have right now. For me, my pleasure comes from cooking. There is an excitement in creating something for my family to enjoy - an anticipation and a reaction. I enjoy making meals for my children and watching them eat - the sounds they make, messy faces. I especially find pleasure if it is something new that they enjoy, or a modification of a previously loved recipe. It makes the clean-up worthwhile. ;)
work that gives me satisfaction not only for myself but especially for others.
i loove your books paulo. God bless you!
greeting Dear Mr Coelho..hope all is well with U…
…
*when i feel it by whole my heart that at a moment God puts his hands in mine and protect me against the troubles and obstacles…
*whenever i am able to decode the secrets and signals which God has put in the world around me…
*when i encounter my better part of soul and when she shows me herself and giudes me with my things in my life…
*when i do something that make me have a good feeling of myself and make me smile with whole my being…
*when i see that my smile or hand can give pleasure to others…
*and ofcourse when i read a book , for instance a novel like The Alchemist and i imagin myself in place of the hero , when i enter the current of the story and become a part of it,
*these kind of works give me a reall pleasure in my life …
*have shining days and even colorful moments …
Soudi
Iran
Estimado Paulo Coelho, debo felicitarlo por ser siempre valiente y compartir sus emociones, deseos y proyectos con nosotros, estando dispuesto a leer nuestras opiniones y de cierta manera ayudarnos a ver una realidad verdadera pero que muchos olvidamos, contestando su pregunta:
A mi me gustan muchas cosas, me gustaría trabajar en algo donde siempre esté aprendiendo, para no transformarlo en rutina, me gusta ser creativa y espontánea, sentirme libre y no una esclava, me gusta escribir, viajar, cocinar, comer y conocerme más, al experimentar la diversidad, para ser mejor de lo que soy.
También quisiera devolver de algún modo, lo que estoy y estaré aprendiendo. Aún no se que trabajo será ese pero lucharé por encontrarlo.
everything i do with my hands, my passion, my heart - it doesn’t matter if it’s painting, writing, filming or playing the saxophone or washing the dishes
if i make it to the most important thing in this moment it awakens the child in me
Cuando uno ha recibido muchos golpes, ¿cómo se puede recuperar la pureza, la inocencia?
¿Puede alguien decírmelo, por favor?
A job that would bring me Joy would be one where I could bring my dog with me while I am working. If, for example, I am looking after an elderly, or a child at his/her home, then I like to live there with my dog; live and work in the same place.
I don´t like when I have had to go out to work looking after someone and I have had to leave my dog alone for long hours. Is like if I were leaving my soul and my Heart. My body go to work that´s true, but my soul remain far away, where my dog is. And then I am sad all the time because I know he would prefer to be with me (or with someone else) but playing and interacting with others not alone untill I return. He doesn´t like that, at it is cruel.
Dear Paulo,
that’s an excellent question and made me think a lot. First I considered the meaning of the word ‘work’. The Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defined work as “an activity, such as a job, which a person uses physical or mental effort or do, usually for money” I also found the following: “something created as a result of effort, especially a painting, book or piece of music”.
Recently I put a lot of effort in developing and finding myself. Each book I read, each movie I watch is an excellent character training. The hard work starts when you have to apply these things in your own life. This kind of work gives me pleasure as I have to create the best of myself.
Many thanks for your books, which gave me a lot of ‘work to do’ :)
Have a great week,
Angie
best work i’ve had, loved doing it but never got paid to do it and even get scolded? hmm…up to now, it has always been playing role-playing vid games with a taste of adventure and saving the world all over again! some may call it just a hobby or unproductive time-killer, but really, it’s a learning experience. For me, it’s literature and I love learning! :D
Caro senhor, sempre quiz escrever-lhe mas sempre fiquei acanhada, com medo de erros gramaticais, ou de escrever besteiras pra um homem tão renomado!
Somente desejo todas as felicidades do mundo,ou ao menos aquelas que me proporciona ao ler seus livros!
Con cariño
Alzira.
Hi Paulo
Congratulation for your new book!Can’t wait for that to came out in USA ,or maybe I will get the Brazilian version =). Besides many things that I do at work one of the things that gives me more pleasure is to make the preserves and jam that we sell at the bakery where I work and several farmers market as well ,Stirring the fruit in big copper pots feels like you are creating a special magical potion that smells so great !!! and after hear the feedback from costumers wow that is an outstanding jam …is very pleasurable …well any thing you make with love will came out with outstanding results and gives pleasure during the process .
Peace
Pri
As vezes me sinto como uma resolvedora de problemas nata, sinto que nada pode me impedir mas, quando se trata de realização profissional fico meio perdida. Eu gosto de estudar linguas estrangeiras, ouvir alguém falando numa linha eslava ou nordica e ficar pensando “que linha é essa”. Só não sei bem onde encaixar isso na minha vida prática. Te dou meu parabéns, acho que vc conseguiu fazer o que queria, apesar de todas essas críticas academicistas. Fiquei longe dos teus livros um longo tempo por causa dessas críticas mas, quando comecei a ler novamente eu gostei do que li, e é isso o que me importa, um abraço.
Dearest Paolo,
Teaching children how to paint, to cook, to do math, or to play sports gives me so much energy and pleasure.
But my question: Why do I (or others) succumb to the high-paying, high-pressure, non-fullfilling roles?
xxx k