Many people have a job they don’t like. Many take jobs they don’t like. The reason we take jobs we don’t like is because we need money. I can’t think of any other reason people would waste their time doing something that is not passionate about. I challenge you to find your dream job—a job that you love doing 7 days a week. Work that doesn’t feel like work. In that way, you are not only living for the weekend.
Many of us only live on the weekend and after 5 pm on weekdays. ‘The American Time Use Survey’ shows that we spend almost 40% of our time at work. Would you waste 40% of your money? I’ve never heard an average person saying, “I have $10.000 in savings, I’ll just throw $4.000 away.”
Time is more valuable than money. So why would you give away your time? By doing what you love to do, you are doing something of meaning. Stop the busy work and find your dream job! Here are 9 steps that you can use as a guideline.
Decide exactly what kind of job you want. If the job doesn’t exist, create it.
Choose the company or person you want to work for.
Study your potential future employer
Find out what kind of competencies you need to be successful
Do a strengths/weaknesses analysis of yourself. You have to be clear about what kind of value you can offer.
Create a plan of how you’re going to develop your competencies you need further.
Now, apply. Forget about job openings or vacancies. If you can add value to a company, they would be idiots not hiring you.
Once you know what job you want, what the company needs, what competencies you have, and what value you can add, put it on paper. Hire a copywriter or who can help you with his. Or have someone who is in sales look at it. You have to be persuasive.
Find out who has the ‘power’ to hire you. Browse LinkedIn for the senior manager of the department you want to work for. If it is a smaller company, contact the CEO.
This method may take you longer and more analysis of your skills. But it’s worth it to find your dream job. Financially and mentally. By doing something you love you will save yourself many headaches in the long run. You’ll probably earn more money as well. If you follow the standard hierarchy and climb the ladder like everybody else, you will earn exactly the same as everybody else.
Learn More About Finding Your Dream Job
If you’re interested in learning more about finding your dream job, feel free to check out my course.
According to the World Health Organization(WHO) there is a 10-25% life expectancy reduction in patients with severe mental health disorders. WHO has labelled India as the most depressing country.
These might be facts but they present the glaring reality of the stigma attached to mental health in India .
In India when a person feels anxiety or has panic attacks , they are described as doing drama to gain attention. If someone expresses desire to see a psychiatrist they are labelled as mad, lunatics by the society. Mental illness is not considered an illness , it is just seen as something which will become alright in a day or two. This mindset of people needs to undergo a change , they need to understand mental illness is an illness and it is real .
The stigma attached to mental illness prevents the ones who are suffering from seeking timely help which further worsens their condition.
Some steps to improve the situation are:
First and foremost there is a need for empathy and sensitivity in people regarding mental health.
There is a need to create awareness regarding mental disorders in India . Through the means of workshops, films, TV people must be made aware that mental illness is real .
There is also a requirement of active policy intervention and resource allocation by the government.
There should be creation of a peer network to connect patients with each other so that they are able to support each other.
There should be an increase in the number of health personnel in the mental health care sector.
There is a need for more counseling facilities especially in the rural sector and counseling centres for women with women doctors.
There can be establishment of telephone based helpline numbers and mental health apps.
School based programmes on mental health can improve and teach children about mental health.
Hence, immediate steps should be taken to deal with the menace of mental illness in India . Awareness should be created about mental health to reduce the discriminatory attitudes of people.
We live in a uniquely safe, risk-free, and good time.
Mortality rate is at an all-time low. Poverty is decreasing year over year. Diseases are treatable. You get to live longer. And technology makes life easier and safer.
Evolution is a beautiful thing (if you only look at the facts).
However, that’s not the full story. People are still miserable. Suicide rates increase. People have more depressions and burnouts. More and more people are on meds. I’m not going to flush you with all the hard statistics. It’s not pretty.
Because to me, that’s what I think everybody is doing: Dancing around all the time and saying, “I’m alive! I’m alive.” I can’t be more wrong than that.
The reality is that we, humans, are ungrateful idiots. Always have been.
The Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus, who lived between AD 50–135, put it best:
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
Why do we always desire what we don’t have? Desiring things you don’t have is not necessarily a bad thing. That same trait is also the reason the world developed the way it did. If we didn’t desire unattainable stuff, the world probably wouldn’t advance one bit.
But when I read about historical figures such as Christopher Columbus, the Wright Brothers, or Nikola Tesla, they used that desire for good things. They didn’t complain and had an innate desire to achieve things.
Can you image Columbus saying: “Fuck this stupid boat. Let’s sail back home, I want to chill out.”
And that the Wright Brothers said to each other: “Man, screw this flying thing. Let’s play checkers and drink beer.”
Or that Tesla would say: “Who cares about current? Let Edison and his stupid DC current win. I’m going for a swim in the lake.”
Of course not.
Just Be Thankful For Goodness Sake.
Two words. That’s all.
Say it. Believe it.
Thank you.
Easy.
Or you can go with a casual “thanks.” You can say it to people, but more importantly, you can also say it to random things.
When I wake up, I just say: “Thanks.”
I don’t even know who I’m thanking. God? The universe? Life? I’m just happy to be alive. And that mindset changes everything in your life. When you say thank you, and you truly believe it, you become a grateful person.
Gratitude changes the way you:
Think
Behave
Talk
Walk
Eat
Love
You can also say it to people. When your mother, father, brother, sister, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, friend, colleague, manager, does something for you (no matter how small), say: “Thank you.”
What you will find is that people appreciate you too. Gratitude goes both ways.
“Thank you.”
“No. Thank you.”
Saying thank you is a habit. It shows that you appreciate everything. Big things and little things. And appreciation is an important aspect of a happy life.
The French philosopher Voltaire put it well:
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”
If you want to enjoy life, start by appreciating it.
Do you ever get upset about the nasty behavior of your co-workers, friends, or even family? Well, if you let others upset you, it’s not their fault.
“It’s not me, it’s him!” is what most of us say. We’re always quick to blame others for how we feel.
We say that others make us feel that way. But that’s false. You decide how you feel about the things that happen in your life.
Events can’t harm us. Our perception of an event harms us. That’s one of the most important ideas of Stoic philosophy.
In other words, you decide what meaning you give to the things that happen in your life. If your friend tells lies about you behind your back, and you get upset, that’s because you decided to get upset.
After all, you don’t control others. That’s why who you spend your time with is a matter of life and death.
The great Stoic philosopher, Epictetus, said this in his Manual For Living:
“Avoid fraternizing with people who don’t share your values. Prolonged association with those with false ideas can only tarnish your thinking.”
It’s something I truly live by. I’ve seen others destroy people’s lives too often to take this idea carelessly.
And I bet that you’ve had your share of, for lack of a better term, “toxic” people in your life.
There Are Two Kinds Of People
People with values
People without values
I think that less than 1% of the population has values. Values entail nothing more than answers to questions like:
How do you treat people?
How do you treat yourself?
What’s right and what’s wrong?
Here’s an easy way to detect people without values: When you see that someone becomes an entirely different person in a heartbeat — that’s when you know someone has no values.
For example, at our company, we recently hired a toxic intern. The intern turned out to be a different person from the person we thought we hired.
Of course, that’s our mistake. Even though we talked extensively about values during the interview process, we didn’t detect any warning signals.
And everything was fine during the first week. But as soon as the intern found a partner in one of our other interns, things started to change.
All of a sudden, with this new-found support, the intern started gossiping, trying to manipulate others, and causing mayhem. Fortunately, we identified it quickly and communicated that we have a zero-tolerance policy for toxic behavior.
When you lack values, you automatically gravitate towards natural human behavior. And that’s very dark. I recently read 12 Rules For Life by Dr. Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist, and a professor at the University of Toronto.
His fundamental proposition is that people are malevolent and that life is suffering. To prove that statement, Peterson shares compelling examples of human history with us.
He’s right. People have always lied, killed, and deceived their way through life.
But There’s An Alternative
Look, you can easily go down the rabbit hole of nasty behavior. Just spend enough time with bad people — eventually, you will become one of them.
You can also fill your days with gossiping, lying, and manipulating others. And you’ll probably also feel good when you do it. A sense of power, no matter how it’s achieved, gives people satisfaction. That’s how our minds work.
So when you recognize someone who doesn’t have principles, shows nasty behavior, and has multiple personalities — step away.
Instead, surround yourself with people who want the best for you.
Not with people who are jealous, can’t see your success, and thrive off negativity. I think this is important to realize for anyone who wants to live a good life.
A few years ago, when I started to live a conscious life, I had to say goodbye to people who only wanted to live a life of pleasure.
And I’ve also seen other friends that started to change their life for the better but were dragged back into the bottomless pit of darkness by others.
But as you and I both know, life is also full of warm and caring people. It’s not all bad.
Be Stingy With Your Time
“You’re the average of the five people you spend your time with.” It has become such a cliché. But I don’t think that we truly understand the impact that other people can have on us.
Like Epictetus said, others can tarnish your thinking. Is that worth it?
Look at it this way. Would you give $1000 to the people in your life if they asked for it? If the answer is no, stop giving the people who don’t share the same values as you, your time.
I’ve narrowed down the list of people I spend 90% of my time with to my direct family and my two best friends. Other than that, I spend my time working and exercising. That’s what I mostly do. And I’ve never enjoyed my life this much.
So if you have a job you love, and a few people in your life who you love, you don’t even have more time to spend.
Nothing else gives more satisfaction than having a meaningful career and a strong family.
“But what if my family is toxic?”
Inspire them to change for the better. I don’t give up on my family. Even if it takes 10 years, I will still try to help them.
Create Your Values, And Stick To Them
To live a virtuous life, you need principles. Without principles (or values), we have no character. And without character, we’re nothing.
“Who cares!”
Well, you should care. You’re the one who looks in the mirror every day. Are you happy with what you see?
That’s the only measure I have for my life. I must like the person I see in the mirror. If I don’t like that guy, I’ll change. That’s what I’ve always done. And that’s what I still do every day.
Improve Yourself
What’s the alternative? Like Peterson concludes in his 12 Rules For Life, there’s no other viable option for life.
You recharge your phone when it runs out of juice. You refill your gas tank when you’re running on empty. But sometimes, you forget to take a break and recharge your most precious possession: Your body (and the brain that’s inside of it).
Whether you love what you do, are in between jobs, or have a job you hate: You’re working. Living is also a job. A pretty tough one, actually. Just the act of getting up in the morning can be a daunting task. And I’m not even talking about all the responsibilities we have.
So why do you make your life even more challenging by not taking a vacation to recharge? I’m not talking about your weekends that are packed with activities, or holidays where you do more work than relax.
No, that type of “free time” only costs energy. I’m talking about resting with a very specific reason: To recharge your battery so you can get back to living a productive life.
A break reduces stress and improves productivity.
Scientific research shows that a vacation decreases perceived job stress and burnout. Now, that’s a pretty solid benefit of taking a few days off. But there’s more.
As you may know, I’m always interested in productivity. In the case of resting or a vacation, my question is:
Will I get more things done when I get back?
The answer is yes, but there’s one major thing to keep in mind. But let’s back up a bit: What does it mean to get more done? Getting things done has nothing to do with time—if you work more hours, you don’t necessarily get more done.
In fact, research shows that working more hours general means less productivity.
Why? Well, we often waste time if we have a lot of it. It’s simple: If I say to you, you have a year to write an article. What would you do? Put it off until tomorrow, right?
But what if I tell you that you only have 2 hours? You’ll probably get started right away. So in a way, having more days off, and fewer days to work, forces you to be more effective with your time.
Research shows that a vacation in itself won’t make you more productive, but when you have more days off, you have a strong desire to get more things done in less time.
And that’s a win-win situation for everybody: You, your business, or your job. You take off a few days, recharge, spend time with your family or friends, and when you come back, you’re more productive.
Sounds great. But wait, there’s a caveat.
When your vacation is stressful, the positive benefits go away. So keep the stress at a minimum on your holiday. Otherwise, you’ve wasted a perfect opportunity to relax and boost your overall productivity.
I recently felt I needed a break for several reasons. I had a few injuries that didn’t seem to go away and had less energy. I could have powered through, but instead, I decided to go on a vacation with my family. For a week, I did absolutely no work. And when I came back, I was full of energy.
Here are a few tips that might help you to take a break that fully recharges you.
1. Do What You Want
There are no rules for taking vacations and everybody relaxes in a different way. If you like to plan your holiday, just do it. If you want to go with the flow, then do that.
Want to wake up early? Do it. Don’t like waking up early? Sleep in. Even if you go on a vacation with your partner, friends, or family, you don’t have to be together 24/7. You can also sometimes do things that you enjoy.
The key is to not have expectations on your vacation. Let go of everything. I also don’t like to post vacation pictures on social media. Otherwise, I’m constantly thinking about taking a cool picture so I can impress others.
You’ll probably even do things you wouldn’t do just to take a picture. “I really need to rent a jet ski so I can take a picture with it.” No, you don’t.
Who cares? Focus on enjoying the moments you experience. Whatever those moments may be.
2. Read
Bill Gates is famous for his voracious reading habit. He is also known for his ‘Think Week’ where does nothing else but read and think.
You don’t have to be Bill Gates to think about your life and career. We all have our daily, weekly, and monthly routines. Usually, routines and habits work very well. However, you can also get stuck inside a loop.
That’s why I recommend you to step back from your daily life and career. If you do that, two things can happen: When you step away, you miss your daily life and can’t wait to pick up where you left off.
Or, the opposite will happen. You don’t want to go back. See that as a sign that you need to make a change. Either way, a break always serves a purpose. It doesn’t only help you to recharge, it will also make you think.
That’s why I like to read for hours on my vacation.
3. Get Bored
One of my favorite strategies for finding new ideas is to get bored out of my mind. It sounds easier than it is because of distractions.
In the past, I would do everything to NOT get bored: Watch TV, go out, browse Facebook, etc. But did you know that you can use boredom to your advantage?
Instead of giving into distractions, just give into the boredom and see it leads your mind to. In fact, one of my favorite artists of all time, Andy Warhol, embraced boredom. You can tell by the boring films he made or the references he made in The Philosophy Of Andy Warhol about getting bored.
Whenever I hit a creative wall, I just do nothing. Literally, nothing. Try it sometime. It’s a great strategy; maybe you come up with the next best thing in your industry.
It’s never a good time to take a break.
“I just need to finish this project.”
“My boss will never accept it.”
“People will think I’m lazy.”
“I don’t have time.”
“My family needs me.”
Yeah, yeah, I’ve been there too. But what would you rather: Continue to work without resting and burn out? Or take some rest before you’re tired?
So before you use all those valid reasons to not take a break, think about what all the people in your life have to do if you’re not here anymore. Yes, you’re important. So take care of yourself. Take a break and come back with more energy.
The Mona Lisa was stolen from the Musee du Louvre in Paris back in 1911. The theft lead to a stir worldwide. The painting was stolen by a Louvre employee Vincenzo Peruggia. The painting was recovered two years later along with the thief. The painting has an estimated value of $860 million as of the 2020.
Poppy Flowers, Vincent Van Gogh
The painting was stolen from the Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum, Cairo, Egypt in August 2010 and still not recovered to date. It is regarded that Van Gogh painted it three years before committing sucide. The painting had a whopping value of $50 million. The painting was also previously stolen from the same museum in June 1977. The painting was found after ten years later in Kuwait.
The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Rembrandt
The painting was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, Massachusetts. The painting was stolen along with 12 other paintings in March 18, 1990. The 1633 painting depicts Jesus calming a storm at sea by the side of his disciples. The painting was thieved by two men who obtained access to the museum by claiming themselves to be police officers. The painting had an estimated value of $100 million. Another painting which was also looted that night, The Concert, had a staggering estimated worth of $200 million.
Le Pigeon Aux Petits Pois, Pablo Picasso
The painting known as The Pigeon with Green Peas was stolen in May 2010 along with 4 other artworks. The robbery was accomplished by just one man. The man was later arrested but the police could not recover the painting as the thief had claimed he threw it away. The painting had a value of $28 million.
Portrait of a Young Man, Raphael
The painting was done in the early 15th century. The painting was looted by the Nazis after they conquered Poland. The painting is considered to be a self portrait of Raphael. The painting was confiscated by Hans Frank, one of Hitler’s senior officials, who took it it for Fuhrer Museum. The painting was last seen at Frank’s residence in 1945 and it’s been missing ever since. The painting was valued $100 million and is deemed as one of the most important paintings missing since World War II.
The Just Judges, Jan van Eyck
The painting was on display at Saint Bavo’ Cathedral, Belgium, when it was stolen in 1934. The painting was robbed with the leaving a note ‘Taken from Germany by the treaty of Versailles’, which written in French. The Belgian Government had a tough time exchanging notes with the alleged thief, a successful politician Arsene Goedertier. The thief claimed he knew the whereabouts of the painting but said he was taking the secret to his grave. Till now the location of the painting is still unknown.
Portrait of Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud
The painting went missing in 1988 from Berlin’s Neue Nationalgalerie and was speculated that it was stolen by a fan of Bacon or student. Following the theft, Freud designed a wanted poster for his artwork but did not amass any responses. The painting was on loan from the artist’s collection at the Tate Britain Gallery.
Mango is not only a tasty fruit eaten in the summer season but also reaped with various health benefits. Mango is now making people crazy not only in India, but also across the world. Mango varieties like Dussehri, Langra, Chausa, Kesar, Badami, Totapuri and Alphonso are very much liked in India.
Health benefits of mango –
1. It is rich in vitamins and minerals – Mango contains vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Vitamin K present in it is beneficial in blood clots. The iron present in it also prevents anemia. Mango also makes our bones strong.
2. Rich in vitamin A Mango is also rich in Vitamin A. There are so many benefits of eating a mango that it can meet almost 25 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin A. Vitamin A is also very important for reproduction and immune system in the body.
3. Helps in quick recovery In the current era of COVID, the demand for fruits containing vitamin C for immunity has increased. Mangoes are also rich in vitamin C, which is important for forming blood vessels and healthy collagen. Apart from this, mango helps in fast healing of any kind of wounds of the body.
4. Helps in digestive process Mango is such a fruit that maintains our digestive system. Amylase compound and dietary fiber in Mango also provides relief from constipation. Amylase compounds help in the digestion of foods and dissolve hard starches.
5. Boosts immunity Mango is a good source of immune-boosting nutrients. One cup (165 grams) of mango provides 10% of your daily vitamin A needs. Mango also contains folate, vitamin K, vitamin E and several B vitamins, which aid immunity as well.
6. It helps in fighting cancer – Mangoes contain antioxidants such as quercetin, fisetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, gallic acid and methyl gallate. All these properties protect our body against breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer and leukaemia.
7. Helps in alkalizing the body – As mangoes are enriched with tartaric and malic acid and contain traces of citric acid, it helps in maintaining the alkali reserve of our body.
8. Prevents heat stroke – This summer fruit also helps in preventing heat stroke. Eating it cools you down instantly and hence refreshes you. Add this ‘super fruit’ in summer and stay cool during the got weather.
9. Contains high iron content The high iron content in mango is a natural remedy for anaemic people. Also, women should eat mangoes to increase iron level and calcium content in their bodies.
10. Improves concentration If you find it difficult to concentrate and have low memory, then gorge on mangoes. They not only help in improving your concentration but also boost your memory.
Mango is delicious, versatile and easy to add to your diet. However, it can be difficult to cut due to its tough skin and large pit. There are various ways where one can add mango to their daily diet. Like adding to your smoothies, or making mango ice creams, thick shakes or fruit custard. However we need to keep in mind that mango contains high amount of sweet so its recommended to add 1-2 mangoes per day.
‘Ancestral worship’ is the custom of worshiping or reverence of the deceased ancestors. The whole custom is based on the belief that the deceased ancestor is still a part of the family, and whose spirit is believed to have powers to affect the lives of the living descendants in every walks of life.
It is believed that the deceased ancestor’s spirits have supernatural potential, which affects the lives of the descendants according to how ‘they are honored, and are hence, venerated as a deity or spiritual figure.
The rituals and practices of the ancestral worship vary, however, the belief remains common, that the spirits of the deceased ancestors have a hold on the lives of their descendants; rewarding or punishing them according to whether offerings are provided or not.
The roots of the ancestral worship are said to have grown in the primitive culture but its traces can still be found in various religious communities. While it is often associated with Confucianism, this custom of ancestral worship prevails across boundaries of religious traditions. The custom of ancestral worship not just bases on spiritual belief or religious belief, but is also practiced to cultivate social values of filial piety which means to show love, respect, support and to take care of one’s parents, loyalty towards one’s family, and upholding the family lineage. South-east Asia is one of the oldest practitioners of ancestral worship. Different offerings are provided to the deceased ancestors like- special food, clothing, and paper money on the ancestor’s altar by commemorating them on special days such as death anniversaries or funerals.
The deceased descendants are commemorated and the offerings are presented by the families as a gesture of commemoration and veneration. It is believed, descendants who fail to present any offerings are punished and the ones to do without any fail are rewarded by the spirits of the deceased ancestors. The practice of ancestral worship is evident in parts of Southeast Asia like India, Vietnam, Thailand.
Vietnam
Vietnam includes various religious communities including Taoism, Buddhism, Cao Dai, Confucianism, and Hoa Hao. Even after having this diverse religious belief, almost every Vietnamese household believes and practices ancestral worship.
The practice of ancestral worship is carried out by the family members of the deceased ancestor. Children are not only obliged to respect their parents and grandparents in life, but also after they die. Vietnamese families place the ancestral altar in prominent places of the house, with the picture or a wooden tablet with the name of the deceased ancestor carved on it, with a burning incense stick. The incense stick is believed to make the spirit feel welcoming to return to their home. Two candles are burned on both sides of the altar. The candle on the left representing the ‘sun’ and the candle on the left representing the ‘moon’. Red is believed to be the colour of happiness and thus, a red and gold coloured cloth is also used.
Regular offerings are made to the altars and afterward consumed by the living members of the family. These rituals of veneration must be followed upon the death of a family member. Failing to practice these rituals after the death of a family member is believed to unable the spirits to find their way back home, forcing them to wander. The wandering and homeless spirits are believed to bring bad luck to their families.
Special rites are performed on special days or special occasions like the ancestor’s death anniversaries or Lunar New Year, to communicate with the dead ancestors. On these days, every home tray consists of five different types of fruit which are placed on the ancestral altar. The fruits are of a different colour. The fruits may include pomelo, banana, pear, persimmon, and tangerine or oranges. These different colors represent the desire for “Phu” (prosperity), “quy” (notability), “tho” (longevity), “chang” (health), and “ninh” (peace). To drive the evil spirits away the altar is decorated with peach blossoms in warm pink.
A prominent place is occupied by the ancestral altar in every Vietnamese family, showing respect for the past and future both.
Thailand
Offerings are made to house spirits in Thailand. A house spirit (phi ruan) is made an offering with the construction of a house. When a family member dies, after the funeral a procession is carried out, leading the spirit of the deceased member back home, ensuring the spirit does not wander. Also, there are rituals for calming down the spirits that are thought to have caused an illness to any living member of the family. When an argument takes place among the family members or any disputes on the inheritance of property, the spirits become anxious and troublesome.
Singapore
Instead of wooden tablets having the names of the deceased ancestor carved on them, a piece of red paper is used in Singapore, on which the name of the deceased ancestor is written. This red paper inscribed with the name of the deceased ancestor is called ‘kong-ma-pai’. Kong-ma-pai is placed with the idols of family Gods on the household altar. Regularly, the offering is made and incense stick is burned.
The commonality of Ancestral Worship in India and Southeast Asia
Like most of the parts of Southeast Asia, India also believes in and practices ancestral worship. ‘Pitri-Paksha’ is an annual ancestral worship ritual followed and practiced by the Hindus in India. A period of 15 days is devoted to the commemoration of the ancestors of a family. Food is donated to the hungry; be it any human being, animal, or bird. It is believed that feeding them will result in the feeding of their deceased ancestors.
These 15 days of pitri-paksha are devoted to the forefathers as a remembrance of the ancestors’ contributions for the betterment of the descendants as an act of paying respect and thanking them for their contributions and efforts.
No matter what degree of difference prevails in the practice of the rites and rituals of ancestral worship among the parts of Southeast Asia and India, the believes remain common. Every country, every society, every religion, every community, believes that even the deceased ancestor matters to the family and affects the lives of their living descendants. It is believed that the deceased ancestor does not cease to be a part or member of the family.
On one hand, people worship and pay respect even to the deceased ancestors of the family, considering them to be still a part of the family, and on the other hand, families or some members of the family do not count the living elders as a part of the family. They are often left out, disrespected, and abused.
Ancestral worship is not just about spiritual belief, but also about the belief and respect for the elders of the family. The elderly are the foundation stones of a family, supporting on which the family stands.
Early practices, rituals, and rites are also moral educators. Like the custom of ancestral worship is a way of remembering and paying a tribute to the ancestors for all they did for us. It is the efforts of our forefathers for what we are today……for what we are able to achieve.
When the lock down was announced our whole educational system came to an abrupt stop. Now we had to depend on online apps and webinars to learn.
Until the lock down period was announced most of us were not even aware of the existence of such apps. By the time lock down was announced the fame for an app like Zoom, had won over the millions of people across the world. It was one of the popular apps used around the world to conduct meetings. It accommodated more than about 100 participants.
First times in online classes are always a headache because half of the people forget to turn on the audio and camera. Not only us but teachers also have hard time in finding different functions. Online classes are always an advantage in situations where classroom learning cannot take place but in many strong opinions it can never take over the idea classroom learning.
To the other side of online classes, it opens us to a world of disparities between the elite and the middle class and the poor. An online class eliminates the human connection that a face-to-face, in-house teaching environment provides. An online instructor cannot gauge the mood, involvement and engagement level of her students the way she can in a traditional lecture-based classroom.
There are a lot of problems with online learning. Most of the students will face difficulty in connecting with the teacher. Without a proper connection at home for internet, students will find difficulty in attending the classes. Proper 4G connection is need for the smooth conduct of meeting in Zoom. This creates a digital divide between the students. Not all students can afford a phone or not all will have a proper connection. This creates a differentiate between the haves and have nots.
Such a simple issue as this can really draw us attention over the issue of network and internet connections, but what most of us forget is in some states of India, internet connections have been cut off which makes it very hard for students in that are to attend class.
Zoom classes does not allow you to enhance your learning capacity. It doesn’t provide for any kind of learning other than the academics. Sometimes the app would crash and there would be a lag.
Most of the times when classes go on, the system gets lagged and create network problems due to which students wont be able to focus. Students are forced to sit in front of their phones for hours listening to lectures which can have a lot of effect on their eyes as well as their thinking capacity.
Sometimes classes are taken without giving any breaks in between, this can cut off the span of concentration of a student. One person can normally concentrate to max to max half an hour without any other thoughts barging in, with proper breaks in between it becomes easier to learn.
Taking all these facts into consideration we can come to the conclusion that online learning may not always be an alternative for classroom education. Being in touch with human beings and socializing with people is what develops a persons character.
Most of us learn from school, from what we see and hear we develop into better versions of ourselves. Being outside in the sun, playing in the mud, reading a book to bed etc adds up to the character of a child. In all places learning by experience matters.
Sashi Deshpande is a Sahitya Academy winning Indian novelist best known for her works The Dark Hold No Terrors and That Long Silence. Her novels generally centre around educated middle-class urban Indian female protagonists who struggle against the oppression of an overtly patriarchal society. She is critically acclaimed for her sensitive and realistic portrayal of women who are fettered to their roles as daughters, wives and mothers. They are conscious of the social inequality and question the deliberate efforts made by men to maintain this. In The Binding Vine, Deshpande introduces women from various backgrounds who collectively question the subordinate status ordained to them by society. This essay seeks to analyse the lead female characters from the novel with reference to feminist theories by Simone De Beauvoir and Virginia Woolf.
“…thus she is called ‘the sex’, by which is meant that she appears essentially to the male as a sexual being.”
Simone De Beauvoir
“What were the use of my creation, if I were entirely contained here?” This quote from Wuthering heights by Emily Bronte in the beginning of the novel runs as a common theme throughout The Binding Vine. The novel uses stream of consciousness method as it follows the life of Urmi, a middle-class college lecturer who encounters several women in her life. With her as the anchor, Deshpande reveals the sufferings of women from different sections of the society. The novel begins by describing Urmi’s personal grief upon losing her infant child. She becomes detached from the world and struggles to get back to her normal life. She is financially independent and is confident in asserting her freedom and agency. She chooses her own husband by marrying Kishore who works in Merchant Navy and is barely ever home. He asserts himself sexually and does not provide the emotional support that she desperately craves. Urmi’s character reinforces Beauvoir’s point that “…thus she is called ‘the sex’, by which is meant that she appears essentially to the male as a sexual being.” Despite being socially and financially independent, Urmi is still scene as a sexual object by her husband.
Urmi later gets acquainted with Shakuntai and her daughter Kalpana. Shakuntai had moved to Bombay in search of her husband who has deserted her for another woman. Coming from the lower strata of the society, she is uneducated, financially unstable and struggles by toiling hard to look after her three children. Her daughter Kalpana is a strong woman who is forced to marry her uncle Prabhakar. Having been molested by Prabhakar since a young age, Kalpana turns down the offer. This enrages him and he brutally rapes her. Though Kalpana is critically injured, Shakuntai hesitates to file a case against Prabhakar and even goes as far to blame her daughter for her current condition. This is due to the internalised patriarchal ideology that the assaulter is entitled to do so as a man while the victim is responsible for ‘encouraging’ the crime. Furthermore, she herself is under constant threat of being held responsible for the downfall of her family as the society always blames women for disrupting its ‘honour’. Just like Beauvoir, Deshpande focuses on the unrealistic standards set by the society on women that expects them to be the perfect loyal caretaker who submissively accepts the will imposed on them by men. Women are always considered as the inessential and the other while the men are the subject and the absolute. Beauvoir further explains this internalisation by saying that “Thus, woman may fail to lay claim to the status of subject because she lacks definite resources, because she feels the necessary bond that ties her to man regardless of reciprocity, and because she is often very well pleased with her role as the Other.” Shakuntai blaming her own daughter for being a rape victim simply emphasises the fact that women themselves unconsciously perpetuate their role as the inessential subordinate.
Another significant character explored in the book is that of Mira, Urmi’s late mother-in-law. Kishore’s step-mother Akka hands Urmi a trunk consisting of Mira’s diaries and poems. Urmi learns how Kishore’s father saw Mira at a wedding and fell in love. “Since then he had “single-minded pursuit of an object; marrying Mira””. She is married off to him against her wishes and falls victim to a life of marital rape. Mira is forced to suppress her aspirations to be a writer, her only channel of outlet being the scribbles of words on her diary. Her writings clearly describe her revulsion and fear for the sexual acts with her husband and it is evident that she’s slowly spiralling into depression. Writing serves as her sole tether to her life on earth. After marriage, she is renamed ‘Nirmala’ by her in-laws which stands testimony to the society’s attempt to estrange women from her individuality after marriage.
"Niramala, they call, I stand statue-still.
Do you build the new without razing the old?
A tablet of rice, a pencil of gold
Can they make me a Nirmla? I am Mira."
Mira’s mental health improves as she joyously awaits the birth of her child, but she dies soon after childbirth. Kishore’s father marries Akka solely for the purpose of looking after the baby. This further reinforces the male perspective pointed out by Beauvoir that “woman has not been socially emancipated through man’s need – sexual desire and the desire for offspring – which makes the male dependent for satisfaction upon the female.”
In spite of being a skilled writer, Mira is shunned away from the literary world. Her husband and her family never encouraged her passion and she was forced to lead a domestic life. Her frustration on being stifled of her skills are evident in her works. This is further reinforced when she narrates her encounter with Venu, a renowned poet. Upon reading a few of her poems, he says “Why do you need to write poetry? It is enough for a young woman like you to give birth to children. That is your poetry; leave the other poetry to us men” . Where Venu is celebrated as a great poet of Indian literature, Mira’s voice is silenced and confined to four walls. She never had the luxury of having a room of her own that Woolf confirms is a necessity for a writer. She was forced to write late at night in secret while the men were asleep. Mira represents the generation of women writers who, despite being talented, were blatantly excluded from the literary world by men. Through Mira, Deshpande resonates the concerns raised by both Virginia Woolf and Adrienne Rich on the struggles of being a female writer in a patriarchal society.
The Binding Vine also features characters such as Urmi’s friend Vanna and Shakuntai’s sister Sulu, who perform their role as the archetypal role of ‘women as angels’. They try hard to maintain the societal pressure of being what Beauvoir explains as “‘truly feminine’ – that is, frivolous, infantile, irresponsible, the submissive woman.”
Despite the numerous struggles of women portrayed in the novel, Sashi Deshpande hints at positivity towards the end of the novel. Urmi convinces Shakuntai to disclose the identity of Kalpana’s assaulter resulting in a gathering of a mass of protestors who fight hard for her Justice. Urmi resolves to translate Mira’s poems to English and to publish them. She also encourages Vanna to stand up for herself and moves on from her personal grief to fight alongside women for a collective cause. Like Beauvoir and Woolf, Deshpande urges women to stand together like ‘binding vines’ against the oppression of patriarchy. The novel celebrates women’s solidarity as friends, companions and sharers of life.
Menakapriya, P. “Portrayal of Women in Shashi Deshpande’s the Binding Vine and Manju Kapur’s Difficult Daughter.” IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IOSR-JHSS), http://www.iosrjournals.org
Many people begin new habits by focusing on what they want to achieve. For example, if you go to the gym then your obvious focus will be on getting fit, but when you don’t see results in a week or two, you quit.
You quit because you focused on the wrong thing while the right approach is to build identity-based habits where you are on whom you wish to become.
Continuing the example, now if you go to the gym your focus should be on becoming the type of person who never misses a workout session or who always goes to the gym because that is now your identity and now you don’t care about results and thus you will not quit.
2.Implementation Intention
After developing a new habit for 6-7 days we normally try to procrastinate on the 8th we think we lack motivation but what we lack is clarity. We don’t focus on implementing certain behavior at a particular time and location and thus we procrastinate doing that. So the best approach to this is to use implementation intention, here it is: I will [BEHAVIOUR] at [TIME] in [LOCATION].
3.Environment plays an inevitable role.
We normally perform most of our behaviors or habits because of our environment. Our environment sends the cues for undertaking or performing an action. Let’s try to understand it by an example. If you buy a dozen apples to eat an apple every evening, you will eat them on the first day but when you keep them in the refrigerator, the next or on the 3rd day you will probably forget about them because the environment is not sending any cues of eating apples.
But, if the apples are on your dining table then you will eat them every evening because they are in front of you, the environment is sending you the cues to eat them.
Thus, create an environment where it will send cues of performing certain habits.
4. The dopamine-driven feedback loop.
We, humans, are designed in such a way that we perform only those things from which we get pleasure or which seem attractive to do. Because by doing those things the dopamine is released.
But dopamine is also released not only when you experience pleasure, but also when you anticipate it. For example, you get pleasure more by anticipating that you are going to eat your favorite dish tonight than eating.
Atomic Habit is a fantastic book to read. Every person who is trying to become the best version of himself must read this once.
Finding a Job, was always been a matter of worry for many people and this pandemic had made the situation go from bad to worst .Many companies had suffered alot in this period as a result of which many people got fired and get add up to the number of unemployed people and finding a new job become more difficult than it was before , But we can not just loose hope as with something bad their happens something good too, as you must have noticed that the online business got their place in the market and many new business had also been setup that means many new job opportunities are open in the market.
So , here are the list of 7 Jobs that are likely to be on demand in the near future.
1. Data Analyst
Expected growth rate:- 25% (2020 to 2030)
If you are good in dealing with data than this is for you, Data analyst job involve working with data’s for the purpose of extracting some important information that are useful for the companies .A Data Analyst deliver value to the company by taking information about specific topics and interpret , analyse , present , and find the useful information as per the requirement of their client. In today scenario , this job is highly in demand .
Average salary :- $60k
Skilled Required
SQL
Microsoft Excel
R or Python statistical Programming
Machine learning
2.Data base Developer
Expected Growth Rate:- 10%(2019 to 2029)
Database can be consider as the storage where we store data. The Database Developer Job involve analysing the need of the company and producing the effective database system to meet those need. The work of Data Base Developer involve trouble shooting any potential problem and creating , submitting tested reports and information about data’s that are useful for the company.
Average salary :- Rs 500k
Skilled Required
Debugging
SQL
Data Modelling
Data Conversion
Encrypting
Metadata Management
Data Science
3.Software Developer
Expected Growth Rate:- 22%(2017 to 2029)
A Software Developer implement software solution by building program , they create software that enables user to perform specific task on the computer device , they also develop upgrades for the existing software. In general terms , It is a role which involve development , design , and implementation of the new or existing software .
Average salary :- Rs 500k
Skilled Required
Knowledge of the programming language
computer network
scripting
cloud computing skill
Data structure and Algorithms
4.Website Developer
Expected Growth Rate:- 13%(2016 to 2026)
A Website Developer is an IT professional who does coding to build up websites .They primarily focus on the features and design of the web pages , they were also responsible for maintaining the performance of the websites . So in and all the work of website developer is basically, about the development of the web pages and in this career option you can be your own boss by freelancing your work .
Average salary :- $ 60k
Skilled Required
HTML/CSS
CSS Preposseuor
Front end framework
Java script
Content management system
Testing/ Debugging
5. Mobile App Developer
Expected Growth Rate:- 11.5%(2020 to 2027)
I guess this job is well known by many of you and will have an idea about how much will this be in demand in the future. A Mobile App developer usually works on the development of the android apps and also their work involve developing on new features in the existing application as per the requirement of the technological advancement .
Average salary :- $90k
Skilled Required
Java script
Understanding of XML
Android SDK
APIS
Database
Material Design
6. Graphic Designer
Expected Growth Rate:- 4.2%(2018 to 2026)
Are you the one who is full of creativity than this job role is for you. A Graphic Designer is the one who work on designing professional logos, posters , advertisement campaign using certain softwares . As the world is going digital the requirement of this job role will be on hike and in this job role also you can freelance your work and add an extra penny in your account.
Average salary :- $50k
Skilled Required
IT skill
Adobe photoshop
Adobe illustrator
Digital (UI.UX Sketch)
Portfolio Management
Designing the print
7. Digital Marketing
Expected Growth Rate:- 17.4%(2019 to 2027)
You must have heard about Digital marketing as this is into market on a higher rate these days . Digital Marketing also called as online marketing is the promotion of brand to connect with the potential customers using the internet and other form of digital communication . It is the new form of marketing (Modern marketing) in which all the work of marketing is performed on the digital platform . This career has a great scope of hike as this is something that becomes the basics of marketing in the upcoming time.
Average salary :- $22k
Skilled Required
SEO and SEM
Email marketing
Social media marketing
Content marketing
Data/ Analyst
Google adwords and PPC
Conversion rate optimization
So , if you have any of the skill mention above and have an interest in any of the field, than you should be prepared as these are expected to be highly in demand in future.
Digital technologies are electronic tools, systems, devices and resources that generate, store or process data.In recent years digital technology has revolutionized almost every aspect of people’s lives. Examples of digital technology include social media, online games, multimedia, and mobile phones.Digital technology is used in different areas of life such as in business, education, media, healthcare, transportation, communication, and many more.
The increased use of digital media is changing people’s everyday lives and the way they connect and collaborate in the broader societal context, at work and in civil society. Much of the impact of this heightened use is beneficial to both individuals and society. It is enabling new and extraordinary levels of communication, social interaction and community building across boundaries of time, place and social context. It is enabling individuals and speeding up the standardization of knowledge.
But not all the impacts of increased use of digital media are positive. Research indicates that when humans excessively use digital media it can negatively influence their cognitive and behavioural development and even their mental and physical health. Hyperconnectivity, the increasing digital interconnection of people and things, has the potential to change patterns of social interaction, as face-to-face time may be substituted by online interaction. In addition, greater technology enablement of work (and the resulting fragmentation of jobs) threatens the security of jobs traditionally considered as skilled in the developed world.
Here we try to list out the most important advantages and disadvantages of digital technology.
Pros of Digital Technology
– Advantages of Digital Technology
1. Connectivity:
The world is now globalized with the invention of digital technology. It makes our friends and family closer than before. You can make communication by words, video, audio, and exchange of the media.
With the creation of websites, apps, and software socialization has boomed in recent decades. The most popular social media are Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
2. Communication speed and versatile working:
The data transfer rate or internet speed has rapidly increased since dial-up methods for internet connectivity. Broadband technology increases the speed of the internet even more. The transfer of large files which happens instantly, streaming video and audio in real-time and access data virtually from anywhere in the world becomes possible with high internet speeds.
Working in a closed room with international co-workers is impossible due to large geographical boundaries as internet speed increases with broadband services you can work from any part of the world in real-time. Many online and freelancing jobs done from many miles away without any hindrance.
3. Digital devices are portable:
Digital devices are becoming smaller and smaller day by day. The storage media can store a large amount of data in a tiny chip. With the invention of transistors, the size and weight of digital devices have greatly reduced.
4. The quality of stored information is preserved:
The quality is never reduced with the use of digital technology in contrast with analog technology. The stored information in the analog system may damage or even lost or duplicated but in the digital system the case is opposite.
5. Learning re-defined:
Beforehand the traditional classroom is taught by teachers only. Students are completely dependent on teachers for acquiring knowledge which can be destructible since teachers are not always exactly correct.
With the arrival of digital technology teachers and students, both are heavily influenced since they can jump into the internet where you can find the solution to almost every possible problem.
6. Entertainment:
You can pursue your hobbies and interests through the use of digital technology. You can play online games and admit in music courses from any part of the world with the man of your choice. Different types of reality shows are found on the internet which we can access with digital devices.
7. Transportation:
Transportation medium such as airplanes, trains, and ships are using digital technology to accurately navigate routes in the sea and land. Not only that cars and buses are becoming fully automated in the near future.
The speedometer is digital nowadays which eases the use of vehicles. Road accident and plane crash are greatly reduced with the use of digital technology. The checking of the passport is past and reliable with a chip embedded in it.
The chip stores all the personal information which speeds up the process of checking through customs. Booking of planes and trains are done through online services.
Cons of Digital Technology
– Disadvantages of Digital Technology
1. Data security:
Data security is a great concern nowadays in the digitized world. Digital technology means that a huge amount of information(text, images, and videos) is collected and stored.
This stored information may be of individuals or organization which is vulnerable to theft. This data can go into the hands of criminals, terrorist, foreign enemies, etc. as all the electronic equipment are connected through the internet all around the world.
2. Social isolation:
The face to face communication is rare these days with the development of digital technology. People can communicate and socialize through the internet which is a part of digital technology.
This way of interacting sometimes creates ambiguity and disbelief among them. Studies have suggested that the lack of real-life contact causes depression and other forms of mental illness in many people.
3. Too much of work or work overload:
As working with the use of digital technology increases speed and performance there are drawbacks of using it too. Workers from all around the world have to manage and handle large numbers of emails which can be hectic.
A large amount of data needs to be recorded and analyzed on a daily basis which requires greater attention and dedication creating distress and isolation. Organizing the vast amount of data such minutes of a meeting, training videos, photographs, reports can be a huge headache.
4. Diminishing job opportunity:
Nowadays, it does not require you to be physically present in the office to do your work since you can work or perform tasks remotely with the use of the internet. The Internet allows workers from third world countries to do the same task in the minimum wage. This can reduce your job replacement opportunity.
There are certain types of work that are performed by automated machines but beforehand they were done by humans. Increasingly, more digital equipment is employed in a working area reducing the chance of getting a job.
5. Digital technology creates addiction towards it:
Online and offline computer games, messaging, social media platforms, chat rooms and other websites can become addictive. Internet users end up wasting too much money for no or low return.
Computer games are so addictive that they may destroy your capability and time to perform an even more important task in your daily life. Gamers and surfers spend so much time on a computer which results in addiction towards it.
6. Manipulation of digital media:
There are different ways to change, edit and manipulate digital media. Manipulation of digital media is more come than before which increases the possibility of fake reports and results inducing more confusion instead of reality.
Photoshop, after effect, are such tools which can manipulate the original data to something new creating confusion about the original ideas and thought of the writer or creator.
Photographs, audio, videos are easy to edit. The size and quality of the image, the true voice of the singer are manipulated to create something new which lacks originality and true nature of the product.
7. Plagiarism and Copyright:
The enforcement of copyright law is hard to implement as the information that is present in the internet world is vast and to track every data is becoming harder.
Everyone can copy and paste information from the internet which is worthless as you do not spend your time learning them. Plagiarism is also the practice of taking other’s work and ideas and passing them off as one’s own which is becoming common in the digital world.
# How to protect ourselves from the negatives of digital technology?
A. Limit when and where you use social media.
B. Have ‘detox’ periods.
C. Approach social media mindfully; ask ‘why?’
D. Stop social media from replacing real life.
E. Use strong passwords to keep your identity and privacy safe.
F. Limit the number of people who have access to your accounts.
I have already enlightened you about why having hobbies are important. In case you have missed it out then do read it by clicking on the link below.
We all have hobbies. It might be writing, painting, Youtubing, dancing, and whatnot. We all love to follow our hobbies because they are interesting and make us happy. And any work done happily and enjoyably brings spectacular success. Even Maya Angelou says so.
“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.” – Maya Angelou
Now many of you might think, is it possible to transform a hobby into a full-time career? Yes, you can definitely do so. All you need to do is prepare a rock-solid strategy and plan. In the following lines, I will point out some of the areas which you need to consider why preparing your strategy.
MADE WITH CANVA
CLEAR YOUR MIND:
So, first things first. List down the hobbies/passions you love and then prioritize what you are most inclined to. Make sure to write things short and clear. Once you choose your hobby, ask yourself certain questions. Like, why do you want to make this your career? What are your goals? Answering these questions will bring clarity to your mind. You would be more serious and driven towards your decision.
DO MARKET RESEARCH:
After you have decided on your path, do full market research. Read about your target market and its trend. The potential customer’s demands and the type of product and service you would provide. Collect data on all of these dominions. Write down your full research on paper and accordingly chalk out your plan. Make sure you consult your plan and strategy with wise counsel.
DO IN-FIELD PRACTICAL:
Once your plan’s blueprint is ready, take it out to the customer. The best way to know the quality of your plan is to do an in-field practical. Take up your plan to a potential customer and ask him about their view on your project. What product/ service they would want to get? Or what are their demand from this field? These analyses would help you get ample knowledge about your project, the opinion of the customers, and its scope in the market.
LEARN MARKETINGBASICS:
After you have done the research and began the production, start learning about the ways to advertise your product. For reaching out to the customers and interacting with them, you need to know the marketing basics. Nowadays, Digital Marketing is heightening. Learn how you can connect with your customers online. The initial step in this would be to start your website and a social media handle. You can even run digital ads on Google Search, Facebook, or Instagram. These are some low-cost advertisement platforms, where you can create a wide customer base.
BE CONSISTENT:
Out of all these steps, the one thing that matters most is being consistent. You might not be able to attract a generous number of customers, or your product might not stand out in the market. Whatever the situation might be, you do not have to lose hope. Just be consistent in your work. Accept the defects and shortcomings and work upon them. But, never let your energy and enthusiasm fade even a little.
Dwayne Johnson, a Hollywood actor says, “Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.”
Keep these basics in mind and follow these steps and one day you would definitely shine bright.
English Title :- The Alchemist Original Title :- O Alquimista Author :- Paul Coehlo, Brazilian author. Genre :- Quest , Adventure , fantasy. Language:- Portuguese English translation by :- Margaret Jull Costa Publisher ( English Translation ) :- Harper Torch , 1993. Pages:- 208 pages ( 1st English translation )
Book Cover :- The cover has a very enchanting and beautifully designed which attracts reader on the first basis.
“When you want something all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it “
About author :-
Paul Coehlo is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist .He belongs to a middle-class family in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He is best known for his novel The Alchemist, which holds the GuinnessWorld Record for most translated book by an author, and selling more than 65 millions copies in more than 150 countries as one of the best-selling books in history.
Paul Coehlo is considered as the world’s most popular spiritual writer. His books including -, The Alchemist, The Devils and Miss Prym , The fifth mountain, Manual of Warrior of light , Veronica Decides to Die , , covers various serious topic such as love , magic , dreams , spirit , suicide , real meaning of life etc.
He wrote The Alchemist only in 2 weeks . He explained that he was able to write at this pace because ” the story was already written within his soul “. He described the book as a film that takes place in the mind of the reader , an allegorical novel about a young shepherd’s journey of finding his dreams .
Summary :-
The Alchemist is about the journey of a boy Santiago of Andalusia who is a shepherd . His parents have continually struggled for basic necessities of life and have smothered their own ambition accordingly . Santiago on the other hand can read and wants to travel . One day Santiago retires for the night in an abandoned church with his flock of sheep. An enormous sycamore tree has grown in the place where the sacristy used to be. This is where Santiago falls asleep and dreams a recurring dream of a child who tells him that he will find a hidden treasure if he travels to the Egyptian pyramids.
Santiago visits the village of Tarifa. There he meets an old woman who interprets dreams, which she says are the language of God. The old woman tells Santiago that this dream is prophetic , in what she calls “the language of the world,” and that Santiago needs to travel to the pyramids, where he will find a treasure that will make him rich. Santiago is uncertain, however, since he enjoys the life of a shepherd.
Santiago meets a mysterious old man who introduces himself as Melchizedek, or the King of Salem. He tells Santiago about good and bad omens . Santiago started traveling after selling his flock and purchasing a ticket to Tangier in Northern Africa . He was unfortunately robbed which made him look for a way to make enough money to return home. He finds work in the shop of a crystal merchant.
After eleven months of working in the shop,he meets an Englishman who wants to learn the secret of alchemy, or turning any metal into gold, from a famous alchemist who lives at an oasis on the way to the pyramid.
While traveling, Santiago begins listening to the desert and discovering ” TheSoul ofthe World “. The caravan eventually reaches the oasis, and there Santiago meets an Arab girl named Fatima and falls in love with her instantly but had to leave eventually with a promise to return again , in search of his treasure
Santiago wanders from the oasis into the desert and, seeing two hawks fighting in the sky, has a vision of an army entering the oasis and gets into trouble because of the tribal wear .
He meets an Alchemist who offers to cross the desert with Santiago. Soon the two men enter into an area of intense tribal warfare. Warriors hold the two men captive, but eventually allow them to continue their journey
. The alchemist tells Santiago that he needs to return to the oasis, and that the rest of the trip is Santiago’s to make alone so that he can claim his treasure whom he referred as “Personal Legend”.
Santiago arrives at the Egyptian pyramids and begins to dig. He finds nothing buried in the ground. Thieves beat Santiago and rob him of his money. After he tells them of his dream, though, one of the thieves recounts his own dream about a buried treasure in the sacristy of an abandoned church.
Returning to Andalusia, Santiago goes back to the church where he dreamed of the treasure near the pyramids. He digs where he slept, beneath a sycamore tree, and there he finds his treasure Santiago’s treasure.
Analysis of the book :-
The Alchemist is a fable about following your dreams .
“My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer , the boy said ‘
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than suffering itself and that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream , because every second the search is a seconds encounter with God and with eternity .”
The Alchemist is a diversified allegorical story about a shepherd who cross boundaries just to follow his recurring dream which was entitled as “thelanguage of the heart “ by the gypsy woman and a man whose encounter made him ” follow his omens “
Paul Coehlo in his interview stated that “omens are individual languages in which God talks to you . They are this strange ,but very individual language that guides you towards your own destiny . They are not logical ,but talk to your heart directly .”
The writing style in the book is simple yet contains powerful emotions, interesting and deep characters, plots twists and inspiring wisdom.
Santiago journey is a spiritual quest ,where he travels through the desert ,speaks to the wind and ‘Soul ofthe world’ which is connected by everyone’s heart desires or as the Alchemist said ” Personal Legend “
The novel is figurative and metaphorical in style . The omens , Personal Legend , Soul of the world , the talk with the wind , holds symbolic meaning which may seem as fantasies fantasized by us somewhere some day .
The story not only aids one to follow his dream but connects it with the Soul of the world ,the universe where everyone is bonded with an invisible wire and makes us one .
The story is like living in a magical realism , getting enchanted by the omens , talking with winds being a part of the universe that we all are but tend to forget and finally following our dream despite the hurdles because following our heart desire means encountering eternity .
“when you really want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”
The book explains the major purpose of people living , that’s finding one’s treasure i.e Personal Legend and traveling to find it because following the personal legend is like connecting to something deeper of the universe ,to the threat that connects universe and our hearts , something that makes us follow our heart and reach our dreams which fear paralyse for us .
The fear of suffering is the mammoth hurdle one faces while taking the first step towards their dream . The Alchemist , mystically addresses the fear of suffering as worse than fear itself .
Paul Coehlo in his interview said ” the only way that you can learn the language of the soul is by making mistakes . I made my mistakes but then I started to connect with the signs that guide me “
Making mistakes is the key to finding one’s Personal Legend . But fear of taking risks only lets one suffer with regret of not trying to reach out for their dreams .
“ The world is conspiring for us ” , it symbolizes the determination one has for his dreams. Without hope and determination one can never know about the universe doing it all to make the dream come true .
Conclusion :-
Santiago struggles with what he is told versus what is real , between reality and the spiritual. He moves from hopeless to hopeful .
The book , with the magical realism genre leaves the reader with many questions. The questions are left to the reader’s imagination .
But Paul Coehlo said “there are some questions in life that we don’t know . We can’t have answers for everything . But we try to find good questions and not good answers “
Santiago represents the transforming power of our dreams, whether real or imagined and the importance of listening to our hearts.
The book is for one’s who want not only to escape reality but also to understand reality . The Alchemist can offer the best of both worlds. Each person has a destiny that exists independently of others. Only through devotion to the dream is the ‘soul of the world’ revealed to us, the knowledge that destroys fear of suffering and gives power. The Alchemist tells us that dreams have a price but, as Coelho has said in interviews, not living your dreams also has a price.
The book shares the Magic with the world , and affects so many lives. The Alchemist is an unforgettable story about the wisdom of listening to our heart and following our dreams .
” Dreams are made to be followed Life is meant to be loved Some books are meant to be read , Loved and passed on The Alchemist is one of those books “
Eduindex News 
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