My Personal Legend
Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is a book that I have been reading for a really long time. When I say "long time” I am talking about 20 years. Best I can imagine, it was 2003 or so when I first heard about it. I was driving home from school and I was listening to Dan Patrick’s talkshow and he was interviewing Reggie Miller. The conversation turned to books Miller was reading and how they had impacted him. He brought up The Alchemist and the way he spoke of it was really intriguing. Reggie Miller has always struck me as a really smart guy, so I figured if it was good enough for him, it was good enough for me. I went to Barnes and Noble and bought it in paperback that same week.
The story - which I will not give a lot of details about because I would never ruin such a good story - starts with the main character Santiago, who is a shepherd in Andalusia - a region in southern Spain, known for its rich history, diverse landscapes, and unique blend of cultures. Santiago is what I think of as a “searcher”. He is on a journey of self-realization, attempting to find his place in the world. Early on he encounters an older mentor (a vehicle used by lots stories; Star Wars or any of the Harry Potter films) who guides him on his way. So he begins his travels.
One of the things this book focuses on is Santiago’s Personal Legend. In short, someone’s personal legend is your destiny, your life's spiritual purpose, the one thing you are meant to accomplish in this world. It’s the dream that has always called to you deep inside your heart — often since childhood — before the world told you to be more “realistic.”
I think the biggest reason that I read this book annually is due to this part of the book. I think the concept of losing your personal legend over time due to reality or pragmatism really sucks. With that being said, I think that it absolutely happens.
It is really a nuanced concept. There are things that would have been my personal legend that I have let go which makes sense - when I was younger I envisioned myself as a baseball player. That dream, after numerous arm surgeries - and not figuring things out until it was too late (a topic for a future post) - is long gone. Also, what about where you are in life presently? I am 52 years old with a wife of close to 20 years and 2 fine sons. I love them dearly. So if my personal legend today was to ride a motorcycle to Argentina, would the Universe come in to play to make that happen? Or would the mystical force described in Coelho’s book stop me because it knows my personal legend at this point in my life is should be to make sure I am a fixed point of support for my family? This existential issue is far beyond my meager intellect. It also does not take into account any of my thoughts on how God has a plan for my life that I believe far outstrips anything I might think of myself.
“We are here on Earth to fart around, and don’t let anybody tell you different.”
So let’s hear it - what is my Personal Legend?
Disclaimer: This is really tough for me - I feel like most people have this grand vision for themselves, something that makes them happy and shines a light on the world in such a way as to reduce the suck. Like an artist; someone who makes beautiful things that come from the soul and act as a catharsis of sorts.
I cannot think of anything I do in particular that does anything close to that.
Does this mean that I am just middling along? Not really doing anything important? Am I not listening hard enough to hear God’s voice? Would Coelho say that I can no longer even remember what my childhood personal legend was/is and it is therefore remaining quiets so as not to leave me in a state of regret?
This kills me because I want and hope to be someone who is an agent of change. That sound pretentious. What I mean is that I want my life to have meaning, to accomplish something of value. If I were grading myself on this, I think it would be a subpar score. Is life graded on a curve? I hope so.
Personal Legend - John Oestreich, age 52.
To repeat - In short, someone’s personal legend is your destiny, your life's spiritual purpose, the one thing you are meant to accomplish in this world. It’s the dream that has always called to you deep inside your heart — often since childhood — before the world told you to be more “realistic.”
Somehow figure out or get out of God’s way in His attempt at showing me what in the world I am supposed to be doing here.
Make sure that my family is taken care of - in every way possible.
Create as many opportunities for students are possible.
Reduce the suck of the world.
I don’t know what else.
Maybe Vonnegut was right?
