Happiness In The Alchemist

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“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” - Aristotle. In The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho introduces the idea that everyone should seek their individual dreams. He asserts that because he believes that people’s aspirations will lead to them to their happiness. Paulo Coelho writes about a protagonist name Santiago in his novel, The Alchemist. Santiago is a shepherd who travels around with his flock of sheep. One day while in town he decides to pay a visit to a gypsy to discern his recurring dream and from there Santiago starts his journey toward his “Personal Legend.” I concur with Paulo’s statement of “Whatever you decide to do make sure that it makes you happy” as it emerges as the primary theme of The Alchemist. Happiness is not trying or finding, it’s deciding. After a year in working with the crystal merchant, Santiago decides to go back to the fields …show more content…
People should focus on what they have instead of what is missing. According to the philosopher John Stuart Mill in the article “In Pursuit of Unhappiness” if you “Ask yourself whether you are happy, and you cease to be so” (McMahon 3). He goes on by saying people should not go on a relentless chase of joy because they will never find it or will be disappointed. Despite this people still focus their minds into achieving enjoyment in life thus never being able to find it. On the contrary if a person doesn’t pursue happiness then how does one make a decision in life. As humans we choose decisions based on which seems “better.” Usually the better conclusion is the one that makes one more happy. According to the alchemist, “We don’t want people to suffer because they don’t follow their hearts” (Coelho 131). If people do not choose the happier choices then they will suffer in life. If following your heart is a bad, then what should a person follow. If you do not listen to your heart, then you might spend the rest of your life wishing you
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