Opinion

Photo by Aaliyah Alexander

Paulo Coelho’s books range in topics such as spirituality, finding one’s self and much more.

by lindsey anderson

CONTRIBUTOR

Along the course of our literary journeys, many of us have come across “The Alchemist” more than a handful of times. Written by Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho, “The Alchemist” serves as a fictional guide through the world of spirituality and follows the heart’s path to its treasure.

Since its publishing in 1988, “The Alchemist” has been translated into 80 languages — making it the most translated book in the world; second only to the Bible.

“The Alchemist” has also sold more than 150 million copies worldwide and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for seven straight years. It has since become the all-time bestselling book by a Brazilian writer.

The best part? “The Alchemist” was written in just two weeks.

With spirituality, raw talent and “The Alchemist” as his guide, Paulo Coelho has undoubtedly become the most influential author of our time.

A spiritual master and a disciple of magic, Paulo Coelho has rewritten what it means to be a writer.

His novels serve as a foundation of inspiration for individuals embarking on their path to self-discovery. His words are rich with deep meaning, allowing the imagination to prosper, while his messages remain profound — creating space in the mind for magic to take place.

And that’s exactly what happens.

Upon reading Coelho’s novels, the reader becomes entranced in a literary masterpiece that engulfs the mind with its power.

Suddenly, the reader becomes the shepherd boy, the archer or the young hippie on the bus to Nepal — defying time and space and repositioning the reader as the subject of the story.

In doing so, the novel now becomes a journey of the self.

Paulo Coelho’s novels serve not as a simple read but as a spiritual guide that opens our eyes and our minds to possibilities that lay beyond what we can see. Very few authors are able to achieve such a feat.

Regardless of his raw writing talent that seems to translate from his soul, Paulo Coelho writes on subjects that are discussed by very few.

The spiritual journey and the human relationship to magic are subjects that often go unprioritized.

In a society that prioritizes the mind and the material, little is discussed in terms of the heart and its relationships to selfdiscovery and spiritual awakening.

Thus, those who find themselves lost amongst the influence of societal expectations can come to find solace in Coelho’s words.

Words of such nature have been derived from two of Coelho’s novels and lie below: 1) “Why do we have to listen to our hearts?” the boy asked.

“Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure,” an excerpt from “The Alchemist” said. 2) “Don’t fear the light within. May it ignite the Sacred Flame in your soul,” from “The Valkyries,” another book from Paulo Coelho.

Inspiring and motivating to say the least, Coelho’s words serve as a reminder to his readers that we must never stop exploring the inner-being that lies within all of us.

Speaking from my own experience, this exploration is nothing short of challenging and vulnerable. Looking so deeply within ourselves is far from easy to do, but as young people aging into a material world, deep self-discovery has become an act of vitality.

Through spiritual practices, personal stories and soulful quotations, Paulo Coelho writes to accompany us along this journey and rests quietly as a guiding light through which we can begin to grow comfortable with the meeting of our soul.

As one who has accepted the challenge of this journey, I can confidently say no other words but Paulo Coelho’s will ever be allowed to guide my way. His messages have been a source of profound direction not only for myself, but for mothers, fathers, spiritual seekers, students, artists; and anyone under the sun.

Dear romantic comedies: this doesn’t really happen

by meghan ellis

CONTRIBUTOR

I think it’s undeniable that everyone loves a good romantic comedy. Some of us may not admit it, but we do. However, when watching these movies, some people get the idea that these scenarios can actually happen, meaning you can be leaving for New York and Matthew McConaughey would really chase you through the airport just to confess his love for you and live happily ever after.

Bull crap!

I’m sorry, but everybody needs to understand these things don’t actually happen. It would be nice if they did, but they don’t. Rom-coms create this illusion of what it’s like being in a relationship, and these illusions cause people to have high, and sometimes unrealistic, expectations.

Elements of rom-coms are based on the idea of a “perfect relationship,” a fantasy, meaning no matter the situation, you will always find love. Some of these elements include an unnecessarily handsome man running through airports, and someone getting sick and/or in a car accident.

Now, I think it is safe to say you cannot do a rom-com without a good-looking leading man. You know, the guy who has the body of Chris Hemsworth and the sense of humor of Ryan Renolds, who later shows he can be sensitive and vulnerable. Do you know how hard it is to find a guy with these qualities in the real world? It’s like trying to find the gold at the end of the rainbow; it’s ridiculous. I mean, no offense, guys; I’m sure you’re great, but let’s be real.

This idea of the perfect man allowed people to develop the assumption that this is what men are supposed to be — nothing less than perfect. Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but nobody is perfect (except Hemsworth, but that’s a different conversation). Instead of finding “perfect” partners, people should find happiness that makes it perfect.

I know this is a big part of rom-coms, especially in the 1990s, but I have to be the one to say it: There is no need to chase someone through an airport! It is unnecessary and basically an opportunity for you to say you exercised. Also, did it ever occur to anyone to call her/him before doing that? They could’ve saved a lot of time by just calling their house or cell phone — and I know cell phones were already invented, so there is no excuse.

Now, I get that running through airports was actually doable prior to the 2000s and 9/11, but if you try to do that today, you will get tackled by airport security. It is also unrealistic to believe you will be able to get through every single line and get to him/ her before the plane takes off. People barely make it to their own flights because of the lines, let alone trying to catch someone before he/she gets on their flight.

At this point, I probably have ruined rom-coms for everyone and should stop while I’m ahead, but I’m not going to, so I just want to ask this: Why does someone always die and/or almost die in rom-coms?

This obsession with people getting sick or getting into car accidents is honestly a bit morbid because these fictional people are suffering for our entertainment. Yes, you do see two people trying and fighting to stay together, even in the worst moments of their lives. “Love conquers all,” but if you think that this would happen with a person you have known for a couple of weeks, well… good luck with that.

I’m not saying rom coms are bad.They’re actually very entertaining and are satisfying for when you need a good cry. You just have to find the balance between fantasy and reality because rom-coms are not reality. Once you find that balance, romcoms can go back to being fun rather than expectations for your love life.

So, with that being said, grab some food and your comfy pants and let’s watch McConaughey run through an airport and live happily ever after.

Photo by Aaliyah Alexander Rom-coms all have the same plot and it’s getting old.

Meghan Ellis is a senior studying rhetoric, writing and Spanish.