“Play it!” (Rick, Casablanca)

by Paulo Coelho on February 14, 2010

Chris, estou longe de ser o “bom moço” ou o “marido ideal”, mas é isso que faz de 30 anos de casamento uma festa: Feliz dia de São Valentim!

Chris, I am far from being the “good guy” or the “ideal husband”, but that’s why our 30 year old marriage is a constant party: Happy Saint Valentine’s Day!

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{ 80 comments… read them below or add one }

hector February 15, 2010 at 6:41 am

hola , amigo feliz dia mucha felicidad expresada a un ser amado y porsuesto compartida tu felicidad con el planeta . hemos aprendido que el amor es una ecuacion donde la atencion y el tiempo son parte del todo

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Jojo February 14, 2010 at 10:05 pm

Thanks for sharing with us your love to Christina. What a courage, since singing is not one of your most talented gift, if I may tell this without hurting your feelings. But you handle it well. Touching moment of authenticity. Tonight, I have to take the micro to welcome the ones who accepted to come to the opening of my new concept … bring light via music, comedy, theater, words to others around a glass of wine, beer … and in my case a glass of Perrier Water. That is the love that I will share and that asks of me courage … since I do not like to speak in front of many … another breaking of an accomodating point. Happy for you Paolo and Christina. Since I have no more a companion in intimacy, I will celebrate that day in love for myself and the other. By the way, that is the date I chose to love myself and when my first day of sobriety started … and my walk to love more and more myself and change the negative and destructive for me into positive and creative.

Love, Jojo.

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Jessie February 14, 2010 at 9:55 pm

Felicidades! Se ven tan unidos y enamorados los dos y el beso fue muy romantico. Senor Paulo, gracias por ser una inspiracion en los jovenes del dia de hoy, como yo. Se lo agradezco mil veces por mantener el amor como una prioridad en mi vida, aunque ahora no lo sienta porque soy herida. Feliz dia de San Valentin hoy y siempre!!! Besos a los dos, que sigue la fiesta haha <3

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Marie February 14, 2010 at 9:25 pm

Sharing your experience on life and marriage was very inspiring for me, thank you again for sharing an intimate moment. All two, you are so beautiful in your eyes and touching in your actions. It fills my heart with joy and hope. I also offer you and Christina, a beautiful song by Jacques Brel in the colors of love living surrounded by imagination and wisdom :))…all days :))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOcDwYQPp0Y

Light & Love,

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Jojo February 14, 2010 at 9:59 pm

Wonderful Marie. I love so much Jacques Brel …
Love, Jojo.

Aarthi February 14, 2010 at 8:58 pm

Dear Angel,

i felt a lil’ down…n jus’ switched on the comp to get some energy from ur site!!!finally i got it…Thank u Sir Angel!!True Love is a True Inspiration!!God bless ur Family!!

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Marta Adriana February 14, 2010 at 7:34 pm

Oh Paulo, this is so romantic!
May God bless your love so that it lasts forever.

I dedicate this to you both, to my soulmate and to all people in love on this magnificent day.

Kahlil Gibran on Love

“Quando o amor vos chamar, segui-o.
Embora seus caminhos sejam agrestes e escarpados; E quando ele vos
envolver com suas asas, cedei-lhe, Embora a espada oculta na sua plumagem
possa ferir-vos; E quando ele vos falar, acreditai nele, Embora sua voz possa
despedaçar vossos sonhos como o vento devasta o jardim.
Pois, da mesma forma por que o amor vos coroa, assim ele vos crucifica.
E da mesma forma por que ele contribui para vosso crescimento, ele trabalha
para vossa poda.
E da mesma forma por que ele sobe à vossa altura e acaricia vossos
ramos mais tenros que se embalam ao sol, Assim também ele desce até vossas
raízes e as sacode no seu apego à terra.
Como feixes de trigo, ele vos aperta junto ao seu coração.
Ele vos debulha para expor a vossa nudez.
Ele vos peneira para libertar-vos das palhas.
Ele vos mói até a extrema brancura.
Ele vos amassa até que vos torneis maleáveis.
Então, ele vos leva ao fogo sagrado e vos transforma no pão místico do
banquete divino.
Todas essas coisas, o amor operará em vós para que conheçais os
segredos de vossos corações e, com esse conhecimento, vos convertais no pão
místico do banquete divino.
Todavia, se no vosso temor procurardes somente a paz e o gozo do
amor.
Então seria melhor para vós que cobrísseis vossa nudez e abandonásseis
a eira do amor, para entrar no mundo sem estações, onde rireis, mas não todos
os vossos risos, e chorareis, mas não todas as vossas lágrimas.
O amor nada dá senão de si próprio e nada recebe senão de si próprio.
O amor não possui e não se deixa possuir.
Pois ele basta-se a si mesmo.
Quando um de vós ama, que não diga: “Deus está no meu coração”, mas
que diga antes: “Eu estou no coração de Deus.”
E não imagineis que possais dirigir o curso do amor, pois o amor, se vos
achar dignos, determinará ele próprio o vosso curso.
O amor não tem outro desejo, senão o de atingir sua plenitude.
Se, contudo, amardes e precisardes ter desejos, sejam estes vossos
desejos:
De vos diluirdes no amor e serdes como um riacho que canta sua melodia
para a noite;
De conhecerdes a dor de sentir a ternura demasiada;
De ficardes feridos por vossa própria compreensão do amor;
E de sangrardes de boa vontade e com alegria;
De acordardes na aurora com o coração alado e agradecerdes por um
novo dia de amor;
De descansardes ao meio-dia, e meditardes sobre o êxtase do amor;
De voltardes para casa à noite com gratidão;
E de adormecerdes com uma prece no coração para o bem-amado, e nos
lábios uma canção de bem-aventurança.”

When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God’s sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life’s heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love’s peace and love’s pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love’s threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.

When you love you should not say, “God is in my heart,” but rather, “I am in the heart of God.”
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

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Hope February 14, 2010 at 7:31 pm

Viva Christina!!! :)

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azalea de puerto rico February 14, 2010 at 6:44 pm

Paulo que bello!!!!! Que bueno que siguen tan enamorados despues de tanto tiempo! Dios Los bendiga siempre….

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S.A February 14, 2010 at 6:31 pm

Congratulations, you have found your dangerous real love.
Merry saint valentine day.
Wish I’ll be more important than this day to you. May you answer my mails that day, Paulo.

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aditya February 15, 2010 at 9:38 am

reval thyself !! dear SA.

love
aditya

ROMANO MOHAMED February 14, 2010 at 6:30 pm

HELLO MR PAULO COELHO

IT IS REALLY AMAZING.. 30 YEARS OF HAPPY MARRIAGE…CONGRATULATIONS AND RESPECT …
AND WHAT IT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL …YOU KEPT DEEP LOVE AND RESPECT FOR YOUR WIFE .

I HAVE FAILED 2 TIMES ..(THANKS GOD I KEPT AT LEAST FRIENDSHIPS WITH BOTH OF WIFES)..
NOW I AM MARRIED FOR THE THIRD TIME WITH TRADITIONAL MAROCCO WOMAN AICHA-”LIFE” AND I HOPE THAT THIS MARRIAGE WILL LAST FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE ….
YOU ARE ALSO MY GREAT INSPIRATION …
I FOLLOWED MY HEART LIKE YOUR SMALL SHEPHARD FROM “ALKHIMIST” AND AS I WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED HIS TRACES HAPPENED THAT I SUDDENLY HAVE FOUND MYSELF IN MEKNES (VERY NEAR TO FES. …AND ON THE STREET OF MEKNES I MET MY WIFE .)
IT IS AMAZING ,BUT IT IS TRUE
I HAVE JJUST FOLLOWED MY HEART AND YOU WERE ALWAYS MY GREAT SUPPORT IN MY SEARCH FOR LOVE
THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR .COELHO FOR EVERYTHING YOU DID FOR US ALL

HAPPY VALENTINE S DAY AND BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR WIFE

RESPECT AND THANKFULNESS
ROMNANO-MOHAMED

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Elaine Stevens February 14, 2010 at 5:56 pm

Namaste,
That was fabulous… All we need is love!

Love to you

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Barcelona_20_euros_en_un_café February 14, 2010 at 5:41 pm

Happy San Valentin’s day!!!

Kisses from Barcelona,

Miriam

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Wan February 14, 2010 at 5:33 pm

Happy Valentine’s Day to Both of You….Impressive! :-)

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Sanni February 14, 2010 at 5:29 pm

It is very touching to see this, and knowing how much you have gone through in life, it is even more heartwarming. Many people after the same kind of experiences would become bitter and unable to love. Much love for you both, with gratitude :)

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aakriti dhawan February 14, 2010 at 5:27 pm

you both look wonderfully in love.. God bless you both :)

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altauprieten February 14, 2010 at 6:00 pm

Same thoughts from me !
Thank you for sharing and being such an inspiration!

Fábio Vieira February 14, 2010 at 5:12 pm

Paulo, na boa, sugiro à vc fazer uma parceria com o Roberto Justus….hahahahhaha

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Alexandra February 14, 2010 at 5:08 pm

Happy San Valentino, you have a wonderful love story.

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SUZANA LINHARES February 14, 2010 at 4:45 pm

Muita felicidade pra vocês, que consigam passar mais 30 anos juntos. Beijão

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Marianne February 14, 2010 at 4:40 pm

Happy to know that love still exists …
Thanks Paulo for your inspiration …

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Monica February 14, 2010 at 4:40 pm

Eu quero um Paulo Coelho para mim…

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Paula February 14, 2010 at 3:46 pm

I felt so happy while filming this …
You two look wonderfully in love.
God bless you :)

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rossana February 14, 2010 at 3:42 pm

lindos!!! que legal!!! Feliz dia de São Valentim!

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Ally February 14, 2010 at 3:28 pm

That is just BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for sharing it with us!

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Catherine February 14, 2010 at 3:20 pm

Happy Valentines y’all <3 x o

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nikamarie February 14, 2010 at 3:15 pm

Happy Valentines day!!! Everyday is the 14th ;)

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Maria Jose February 14, 2010 at 2:56 pm

Realmente hermoso! El amor es el sentimiento mas sanador que existe! Desde Venezuela un abrazo Paulo :)

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uno checo February 14, 2010 at 2:46 pm

Valentine’s Day for me is a very sad day. Each year,around I see people in love. And I´m simple.

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Monika February 14, 2010 at 2:40 pm

As time goes by!
Congratulations!

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marbe22 February 14, 2010 at 2:31 pm

Gracias por este video! Que canción tan bella, y que bello el amor que uds se tienen! Dios Los Bendiga! Feliz día de San Valentín!

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Alya February 14, 2010 at 2:27 pm

Lovely.

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Dances With Crayons February 14, 2010 at 2:17 pm

Happy St Valentine’s Day to Paulo, Christina and All
Such a beautiful song xo

Love, Love, Love, Jane : )

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rosa de los vientos February 14, 2010 at 2:17 pm

Feliz dia de San Valentín para ti Paulo y Christina fue una canción cantada con pasión, ternura y el acercamiento fue magnífico.
Feliz día de San Valentín para todos.
Kisses to all people here today

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Danik February 14, 2010 at 2:16 pm

Ud. y Chris sois muy bellos! Admiro al artista que es capaz de compartir su vida con tanto amor, ello lo hace más grande.
Felicidades!

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Josephine February 14, 2010 at 1:57 pm

Very nice :’-)

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Geraldine Ramos February 14, 2010 at 1:52 pm

Que bello!!! muchas felicidades!!

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Manja Klisaric February 14, 2010 at 1:43 pm

So cute! Happy Valentine’s day! <3

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Olta Ana February 14, 2010 at 1:37 pm

Paulo this is sooooooo romantic!!! ;))
Happy San Valentine to you and to everybody who’s in love! <3

I am going to give a performance of Viennese Waltz today with some other friends, and I'll be wearing wedding dress, from "Geraldina Sposa". This evening it is going to be just great.

Love for the day of love to all! ;D
Olta Ana

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CG February 14, 2010 at 2:26 pm

I looooove Viennese Waltz!

It will be great in one of these beautiful wedding dresses!:)

Wish you a wonderful Valentines Day (and evening)
CG

Mimi February 14, 2010 at 1:37 pm

Beautiful!! A minha cancao favorita.!!

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Fatoma February 14, 2010 at 1:34 pm

fdeeeetek ana ;) slm qlbk wallah
kisses n hugs saint paulo

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Emese Fejer February 14, 2010 at 1:34 pm

Love is the greatest power on Earth! The joy and love. It gives most who gives with joy. Joy must be one of the cornerstones of our lives!
Happy Valentine’s Day Paulo!

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CG February 14, 2010 at 1:23 pm

It is really touching, to see your love after all this years.
Yor are lucky to be blessed by that.

A happy Valentines Day to you, Christina and Paulo!

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kruchenik February 14, 2010 at 1:06 pm

So romantic!)

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virginia February 14, 2010 at 1:06 pm

Adorei ! After 30 years still a party ? That’s a blessing ! (And a lesson to learn for our own lives. The message to your Valentine is perfect : Honest & loving.
Happy valentine’s for you two while you keep the party going!

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MABEL ZUZUNAGA SANSUR February 14, 2010 at 12:57 pm

I LOVE YOU PAULO!!! YOU DO CERTAINLY ENLIGHT MY LIFE…BIG TIME!!!! BEIJOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Zahid Zaman February 14, 2010 at 12:49 pm

Dear Paulo Coelho…

Happy Saint Valentine’s Day!
I saw how much you both love each other….

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Satora February 14, 2010 at 12:43 pm

I found this translation

The dawn of this beautiful day
Has brought me a new song to play
A song about your eyes
Your hands, your laugh, your smile
Sung in the hope that I
Might draw you near

The chords from my lonely guitar
Have called you to me from afar
This voice soft and low
Wants only to know
Your kiss
The touch of your lips

Hear the song of my heart
Full of joy at the start
Of this first happy day of our love!

Happy Valentines!!!

With loving kindness,

Satora

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Paulo Coelho February 14, 2010 at 1:09 pm

thanks, Satora!

Antonella Magno February 14, 2010 at 12:40 pm

It’s so great to see that sometimes in life this can happen…that a man still loves a woman after so many years…It hasn’t happened to me, not yet…but I’m working on it…thanks a lot fo the hope you give me and for your precious words…

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Carla February 14, 2010 at 12:39 pm

Que lindo! Feliz dia del Amor!
x

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diana gaviria February 14, 2010 at 12:39 pm

So cute!! Be happy dear Paulo. For me every day is Saint Valentin!

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Barbara Massa February 14, 2010 at 12:33 pm

Auguriiiiiii….Buon San Valentino!!!! tanto amore per voi!!!

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Surabhi Singh February 14, 2010 at 5:43 pm

I finished reading “Eleven Minutes” just yesterday…Some time back,I had read a book which also talked of a woman’s journey in the same field.However the approach that you have ,is entirely different.It has got a philosophical bent.
There’s some thing very strange which is…although the book is about a sex-worker,there are so many moments in the book which I felt I could relate to.No,it’s not about a holier-than-thou attitude,but it definitely came as a shock to me,considering I hail from a very conservative Indian society.
There is so much i want to talk about…I want to admit that you really have challenged my stereo-typical attitude towards Brazil,in fact,the whole of Latin America.
I aspire to be a writer too..one day…
I also feel writers are the most vulnerable bunch because the readers have a direct access to the thought processes of the writers.
I want to particularly congratulate you for your incredibly impeccable understanding of the feelings of women…I thought it was impossible for any man to be this wonderful at it..(in reference to the section where you talked of how the girl thought she was going to die when she first started menstruating)!Brilliant work..!
I am totally smitten by you.Your words are POWERFUL…expressions EXPLODING…..style of writing,by far,THE MOST BEAUTIFUL.
I have a Brazilian friend and the issue you took up of writing Brazil with a “Z” and not with “S” was totally killer..!!
Your work is exceptional,still,I have one question.
How do you think the journey would have been,had your protagonist not been as ‘desirable’ as she is..?Would it have been any more difficult?I guess,YES…
No matter how sacred we project sex to be,it somehow starts at something which is very physical.I am just 22.I could be wrong but this is one question to which I have never been able to find an answer.
Since the time I started reading the book,in fact,after I had read just the first page,I wanted to find a way to communicate it to you.
I wish to come to Brazil some day..!
Much love and all my wishes,forever.

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Olta Ana February 15, 2010 at 10:14 am

Thank you dear CG! So it was! I thought I was dreaming all the time. I was feeling just like a princes. I had so many pictures…but the best part was when I was dancing, I was dreaming all the time. It was a bit hard to dance with those dresses I could fall from a moment to another but the important was the performance and holding on, so it all went just great. Better it was wonderful!

Love
Olta

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CG February 15, 2010 at 10:29 pm

I’m glad for you, dear Olta, that the event went on so good. So you have a nice……..wonderfull memory: dancing – dreaming!

Love
CG

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