One doesn’t love in order to do what is good or to help or to protect someone. If we act that way, we are perceiving the other as a simple object, and we seeing ourselves as wise and generous persons. This has nothing to do with love. To love is to be in communion with the other and to discover in that other the spark of God.
You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.
Every day, God gives us the sun – and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy. Every day, we try to pretend that we haven’t perceived the moment, that it doesn’t exist – that today is the same as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow. But if people really pay attention in their everyday lives, they will discover that magic moment. It may arrive in the instant when we are doing something mundane, like putting our front-door key in the lock; it may lie hidden in the quiet that follows the lunch hour or in the thousand and one things that all seems the same to us. But that moment exists – a moment when all the power of the stars becomes a part of us and enables us to perform miracles.
Joy is sometimes a blessing, but it is often a conquest. Our magic moment help us to change and sends us off in search of our dreams. Yes, we are going to suffer, we will have difficult times, and we will experience many disappointments – but all of this is transitory it leaves no permanent mark. And one day we will look back with pride and faith at the journey we have taken.
I could have. What does this phrase mean? At any given moment in our lives, there are certain things that could have happened but didn’t. The magic moments go unrecognized, and then suddenly, the hand of destiny changes everything.
But love is much like a dam: if you allow a tiny crack to form through which only a trickle of water can pass, that trickle will quickly bring down the whole structure, and soon no one will be able to control the force of the current.
Love is a trap. When it appears, we see only its light, not its shadows.
I’m going to fight for your love. There are some things in life that are worth fighting for to the end. You are worth it.
quotes from “By the river Piedra I sat down and wept”
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Dear Sir.
Your books saved me, my soul, my life!
Thank you!
wonderful book! i’m just sixteen and it taught me a lot of things about love. I enjoy reading your books. and because of you., i suddenly got interested more on reading books. :)
ESTE LIBRO FUE MARAVILLOSO LLEGO A MI VIDA A HACERME ENTENDER EL PORQUE DE LAS COSAS SIEMPRE ESTAMOS TRISTE CUANDO ALGO INESPERADO SUCEDE PERO ASI ES LA VIDA UN CONSTANTE IR Y VENIR DE ACONTECIMIENTOS SOLO DEBEMOS ACEPTARLOS Y ENTENDER QUE ES EL DESEO DE DIOS QUE LAS COSAS SUCEDAN DE ESA MANERA
what chapter can i find the line. “I’m going to fight for your love. There are some things in life that are worth fighting for to the end. You are worth it.”?
i just finished this book! :) i really like the story. this inspired me to be more courageous and have a freedom in love :) Godbless.
Hello.
Thanks for writing this book. My friend that I still care and admire about guided me to your books. I had trouble picking up the Alchemist back in high school, but when I met my friend as a young adult and was introduced to your books, I grew to appreciate your books more.
One of my friend favourite quote is ”
You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.”
Recently I let go of that friend that I care about. We are two different individuals traveling on different paths now and are at different stages in our lives. We are separated by distance and circumstances.
I feel sad for the loss of friendship but now I look forward to the miracles and the unexpected.
Wow just finished reading the book and it wonderful and the love is truely palpable. I wonder where Mr.Paulo gets his inspiration. Do u see in the people around you or its from your heart. All your books have a mysticms sourrounding it and are inspiring.
Hello Sir,
I am from India.I read the book “by the river piedra I sat down and wept” but I have a doubt:
REFER EPILOGUE:
“Your love has saved me and returned me to my dream,” he continued….
“Go and get your things,” he said. “Dreams mean work.”
Now does that mean the man returned back to his work ??
OR
when the man says “I don’t know. But the Goddess has always given me a second chance in life. And She is
giving me that with you. She will help me to find my path again.”
“Our path.”
Does that mean he stays with Pilar forever and wishes the goddess give him the power to cure people once again ?
Amo este livro!
Desde a primeira vez que o li!!
Continue a fazer lindos livros de nos encantar!!
bellissimo libro,grazie,,,,,
Ive only read the author’s note n I’m already loving this book. I guess its worth the long search for it.n it couldn’t have come at a better time than this in my life when I’m grappling with issues of life n formulas.of surrendering. at times its really hard to be strong.its hard to admit that fighting the reality is all folly and vain.to accept that what the heart decides is what matters.to agree to love n love unconditionally.to relinquish control. to experience love to the fullest.its good n its bad.to agree that to love is one way to grow and to desire to grow.
loved it!
Sir, I almost always quote your words in my writing :-) i really do agree with those sentences in your book. and i found many power from that to be more courageous :-) with my life. I am a Christian and not a Catholic, but I always try to open with all the thinking. I looked at each idea from all angles and I always can find common ground. :-) i fond of your books. When first time my friend brought your book to me i just “ehm, what is kind of book?” but when i started to read and landed in page 2 i know i am in love with your book. “By the river Piedra I sat down and wept” is my favorite, you are teaching me how to understand UNEXPECTED :-).
Absolutely inspiring and am still drinking in the whole variety of poissibility that following such a philosophy will bring to ones life.
Sir,
A big thank you. For this blog came to me unexpected at a time when i just needed to read this. Thank U again……
PAULO SIR!
GOD has sent you to teach us the lesson of love through living and suffering……… in this process of self-annihilation as we undergo the cathartic pain, the strength in self is manifest in manifold ways and we learn to LIVE THE LIFE WHICH WE HAVE NEVER LIVED BEFORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
regards,
sukanya
4th sept, 2010
it’s touching. i could relate so much from it.
definitivamente, un corazon que decide compartir la riqueza de sus conocimientos y la alegria de sus experiencias merece admiracion gracias……. veronica blanco
very touching !!
thank you Paulo… find profound peace in your words…. :)
ESTOY ENCANTADA CON TODOS SUS LIBROS EL DE VERONICA DECIDE MORIR DA UNA GRAN ENSEÑANSA SOBRE EL VALOR DE LA VIDA QUE DIOS LO BENDIGA SIEMPRE
Thank you Mr.Coelho.
Mil gracias por estos comentarios que nos hacen tanto bien!!!!!!!!
No dejes de hacerlo porfavor.
Dear Paulo, your words have saved me from a number of dark moments in my life. I can hear God speaking through your words. Thanks and never tire of sharing your thoughts. You are a great person and I realy admire you.
Dear Paolo, as long I read your words here I feel reviving all my lost power of Love. Thank you very much, in the name of love’s light!
good morning sir, (Jakarta time says 6.30 am)
I’m just a female person who inspired by The Alchemist. Life brought me to the never ending grey line. One day when i wake up, while preparing my self into the working hours, i just found my self very tired and numb. An idea just pop into my head, what if i take a change to chance? I kept re-thinking for the whole day. And as you can see me on tweeter. I think everything happened for a reason. If there’re no darkness, we will never learn how to get into the rainbow. If we never learn to have faith in God, we will have faith to none. and for Love, yes i do believe it worth enough to fight for one that we believe.
sincerely
I like your comment in which I’m relating to it~~~~
El Amor é um sentimento uma sensaçao que se permitimos que aconteça é grande e reconfortante. Mas á sentimentos que se confundem com o Amor… Esperementar o sentimento de dar de Amar… é muinto maior que esperar ser amado como um espera. Se um imagina como quer que o amem pode nao ver o sentir o Amor que lhe dam e nao sente o que pode dar…
Amar nao da tristeza, esperar ser amado como um espera pode doer..
one needs lots of courage to let the unexpected happen….. We walk the same path unwillingly for we don’t have the courage to jump to the other path running beside us. We don’t know anything about that path expect the truth of it existence.
But the real fun is in revealing the veiled………
Amazingly written… still it´s just words. Love is just a word. I have taken many riscs. I have experienced love-and it has brought me nothing but pain. Every day I sit by the river and I weep. It doesn´t help at all.
Yet please keep writing sir, your words are beautiful.
Wonderful efforts Paulo! Here , I tried to seek my spark and happiness in my rainy day , but no avail! whatever I had cherished in a relationship that was in God’s given Magic moments ..now all is vanished in diappoinments and doubts..whenever i sit by the river i recalls ocean of emotions :((…….
Fantastic words. A good start on a new week! My God be with U! XO
Gracias por todo lo aprendido a traves de sus libros, ya que compre la coleccion, solo me falta los ultimos nada mas, pero encontre la paz espiritual a traves de leer y lo mas importante para mi, es la paz interior que uno llega a sentir, nunca sentida antes….es dificil en palabras plasmar ese sentimiento a igual que la luz que uno ve cuando se esta por ir de este mundo ya que lo vivi personalmente, y jamas crei que este tipo de cosas serian importantes para mi, gracias
Honestly, you are the mentor and saviour of masses with an aching heart. Por sus obras escritas hemos aprendido de la vida y de nuestra leyenda personal. Milhare o agradecimentos para voce.
Hoy estaba triste por cosas del amor y le habia pedido a Dios que me ayudara y que enviara un mensaje que aclara mis ideas y abro Facebook y lo primero que veo es este Blog y me llego tan al alma que fue como si Dios hablara atraves de ti asi nosotros que estamos en el camino de aprendisaje podamos entender lo que realmente importa….gracias por tus palabras tan sabias
j’aimerais beaucouq lire tes extrais en francais si c’est possible merci d’avance
‘
Every day, God gives us the sun – and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy.
So true … these words and no coincidence I read this today :-) .. Cause It came as well into my mind … as I like to write myself … as if you can see on my website , I sit by the river …feels amazing … though I know the way i flow … in free motion…
But to return to your beautiful words… Yesterday … I was walking with my babygirl in the arms ..infront of the house …when suddenly a car stopt .. I saw a man and child (girl) comming our way … the man asked me , if his daughter who was autistic , could hold my baby for a while … I felt immediately contact with this litly autistic girl … without words … whish was not usual as the father noticed ..after a few minutes , she gave my baby back and returned to the car .. Her father said , no she’s in her world again .. BUT … he no way … she kept on waving to me and the twinkel in her eye … took my breath .. a moment of eternity , I call those moments …SHe moved with her hand to her heart and as in one move I did the same …I told her father that she was welcome whenever she ..In the evening @ 22pm.. the bell ring …. Her father came to thank me again …. Afterwords … today actually … I remembered more and more of these … moments … As I realised … this is were I feel … the most complete and close to GOD … with the sun within….NO PARTNER …can fill this cup :-) It’s the ultimite top … thanks for sharing and being You… Your a wonderful personality ..
of course the man didn’t have to thank me ..works both ways
MIS RESPETOS A PABLO COELHO, OJALA SUPIERAMOS APROVECHAR TODAS ESAS HERRAMIENTAS QUE EL NOS PRESENTA PARA HACER NUESTRA VIDA MAS LLEVADERA Y EN PAZ…ESA BELLEZA ESPIRITUA QUE REFLEJA EN SUS LIBROS.. A MI PARTICULARMENTE ME MARCO “A ORILLAS DEL RIO PIEDRA ME SENTEY LLORÈ” Y SE LOS RECOMIENDO SIEMPRE A QUIENES NO LO HAN LEIDO”
You should read (or already know) Joseph Campbell’s Power of Myth. Anyone who reads this should read it. He was the mythologist at Sarah Lawrence. The entire book was made into a miniseries interview with Bill Maher in the 80s. Available via PBS.
I did experience love and still.But when the sparks of real love touched my heart and soul it has became more apparent that ” we have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.” wish I could also sit at the river side and weep ,thinking of the LOVE that changed my life.
love that book!!<3 muchas gracias Pablo :-)
Querido Paulo Coello,
Su obras literarias son marabillosa el alquimista es un libro de mi mesita de noche….y el de Valquidias sin palabras exito y mucho amor de su esposa para usted….un beso y que dios virgen y su angel de la guarda lo cuiden y bendiga …..virginia
Yesterday i finally read this book and it was exactly what i needed. For so long i have pushes love away because i was afraid of the pain it could cause… I have exercised the other… i choose love instead. Thank you
wish to feel the spark of real love, it is indeed a great thing
Sr Coelho, quisiera expresarle mi gratitud por desperar en nestras vidas tantas emociones y esperanzas con cada uno de sus libros y con este en especial, yo particularmente revivi la emocion del amor fresco natural e inocente.Esas sensaciones que al pasar los años pensamos que no volveremos a vivir. En verdad, Gracias a Dios por darle ese don y a usted por transmitirlo.
Mentor,
Your words have taught me a lot about life, searching for our treasure, Keep going no matter how hard the obstacles are, fighting for love…!
For me, You are like Light in the Darkness.
Thank You For Writing & Thank God For creating You. Or may be you are the god himself, that came down to save the many dying Souls !
Toda su obra literaria me fascina, su enfoque psicologico unido a lo religioso, me hace reflexionar y eso es importante cuando leemos un libro.
I would like to borrow a few words from this book to put on my facebook. I will give you all due credit of course. If it bothers you, let me know and I will take it off. Thank you. Also, your books have helped me through a lot of things. So for doing what you do, Obrigado.
You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.
Joy is sometimes a blessing, but it is often a conquest. Our magic moment help us to change and sends us off in search of our dreams. Yes, we are going to suffer, we will have difficult times, and we will experience many disappointments – but all of this is transitory it leaves no permanent mark. And one day we will look back with pride and faith at the journey we have taken.
Thank you Paulo for being you because these words are helping me to focus on my dreams when some people roll their eyes and say I´m to old.
GRACIAS POR TODOS ESOS LIBROS DE LOS CUALES ALGO DE ENSEÑANZA ME DEJO, LO ADMIRO Y MI SUEÑO SERIA TENER SU ULTIMO LIBRO AUTOGRAFIADO, CON TODO RESPETO LO APRECIO
DESDE EL PRIMER LIBRO QUE LEI GCIAS
Mr. Coelho, I still haven’t read all your books, but I know about your work, and this piece definitely fits with my vision of God and life, with the way I live… I am not much of a writer, but the things I talk about in my poems are pretty close to these beautiful words (that I hope with all my heart to become actions). Praise be unto God for your gift; praise be unto the One who had given us so much without asking anything in return and yet we dare to judge.
My best wishes and all my love!!
Paulo, estar en comunión con Dios, creo que es lo primero que un Ser Humano debe de hacer y por ende
conquista su Felicidad, es esa chispa divina la que
nos hace ayudar y encontrar el significado a ésta
bella vida! Mil gracias por tus libros son sensacionales.
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