Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:12:33 -0800WeeblyMon, 16 Dec 2019 16:15:07 GMThttp://www.misscarolcabrera.com/the-alchemist-by-paulo-coelho/its-the-possibility-of-having-a-dream-come-true-that-makes-life-interesting-paulo-coelhoDUE: Wednesday, 12/18 at 11:45am
Response Due: Friday, 12/20 at 11:45am

Choose 2 of the questions and answer each of them with a minimum of 5 sentences each, answering the question AND connecting your answers to your own life. 

 1. Santiago became a shepherd rather than a spriest as his parents had hoped. Why is this so significant to the story? What advantage does being a shepherd offer him?

2. Before his journey begins, Santiago asks a gypsy woman to interpret his dream about finding treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. She requests for one tenth of the treasure in return for the favor. When Santiago asks an old man to show his the way to the treasure, the man asks for one tenth of his flock as payment. Although both interactions represent the fact that one must pay a price to follow one's dreams, only one of these payments will yield the desired result. Which one? Why? Which payment is a representation of false hops? How can you tell?

3. When we are children, "everything is clear and everything is possible" says King Mechizedek, but he cautions that as we age some mysterious force convinces dreamers to abandon their dreams. What do you think of this statement? What are the mysterious forces that cause people to abandon their dreams?

4. The Alchemist talks about a "universal language;" the language of the world. What is this language? How is it different from spoken language? Why would people's "fascination with pictures and words" cause people to forget the universal language? What are the consequences of forgetting it?

5. Santiago is repeatedly encouraged to read signs and omens/ What do signs and omens have to do with his quest? How are they related to the "universal language?" What kinds of signs and omens have you experienced in your life?

6. What is a "Personal Legend?" How does one find their own Personal Legend? What is your own Personal Legend?

7. At one point the alchemist reveals to Santiago the secret of turning metal into gold. Why did he share the secret? How does it relate to finding a Personal Legend?

8. Are you surprised at where Santiago's treasure was hidden? Why is it significance that his treasure lies buried in the exact place where his journey began?

9. What aspects of the story are the most relevant to you? Has reading this novel changes the way you see your own life? How?

10. Many spiritual quests involve a journey into the desert. Why do you think that is? In what ways is the desert a perfect setting for a spiritual journey? How did the desert help Santiago on his journey?

11. Discuss the significance of the novels' ending. What does the tree, beneath whose roots the treasure is burred, represent? Why did Santiago have to travel so far when the treasure was at home the whole time?]]>Tue, 10 Dec 2019 15:50:18 GMThttp://www.misscarolcabrera.com/the-alchemist-by-paulo-coelho/and-when-you-want-something-all-the-universe-conspires-in-helping-you-to-achieve-it-paulo-coelhoDUE: FRIDAY, 12/13 at 11:45am
RESPONSE DUE: TUESDAY, 12/17 at 11:45am

Santiago learns many lessons along his journey, from different people he encounters. For example, watching the Candy Seller teaches Santiago that to be truly happy, you are doing what you want to do for the sake of doing it, and not for something else in the future. Seeing the Englishman's rudeness in the caravan shows Santiago that he does not want to behave that way. The Old King teaches Santiago that when you want something, all the universe conspires to help you get it.

Think about TWO people in your life who have taught you life lessons that you now live by. Identify the life lesson for each person who has taught you something, and then explain how they have taught you this lesson. Use at minimum 5 sentences per person/lesson for a total of 10 sentences minimum for this blog. ]]>Tue, 03 Dec 2019 15:45:18 GMThttp://www.misscarolcabrera.com/the-alchemist-by-paulo-coelho/be-brave-take-risks-nothing-can-substitute-experience-paulo-coelhoDUE: FRIDAY, 12/6 at 11:45am

The King of Salem talks about appearing when people are on the verge of giving up on their personal legends. Think about your own life and write 7-10 sentences reflecting on one or more of the following questions:

1. What is one way that I have changed dramatically from 5 years ago? What about 10 years ago?
2. Think about a time that you wish you could do over again. What happened? How did you handle this situation? Why do you wish you could change it? How would you change it?
3. What are ways that you are kind to yourself when life presents difficulty or struggle? How do you stay focused on being YOU and how do you stay focused on your own goals?
4. Think about your Personal Legend. What are ways that you have made progress toward your personal legend and your life mission already? 
5. What is something that happened in your life that made you angry or uncomfortable or fearful at the time, that you now understand more clearly? Maybe it is something that you are now grateful for.
6. Look at the things that make you upset or mad or uncomfortable. Is there a theme to these things? What trait in yourself do you see that you should grow in order to not let these things change your disposition?
]]>Tue, 19 Nov 2019 15:42:14 GMThttp://www.misscarolcabrera.com/the-alchemist-by-paulo-coelho/remember-that-wherever-your-heart-is-there-you-will-find-your-treasure-paulo-coelhoDUE: FRIDAY, 11/22 at 11:45am

Use your Personal Legend worksheet to craft a personal MISSION STATEMENT for your first Blog Post along with an explanation of your MISSION STATEMENT. 

Guidelines:
1. Your mission statement should be 1-3 sentences. Short. Sweet. Distilled. 
2. Your explanation should be 7 sentence minimum and explain why this is your mission statement, how you chose this to be your mission statement, and expand upon and explain anything that we might not understand completely. 

EXAMPLES OF MISSION STATEMENTS 

DENISE MORRISON, CEO OF CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY
“To serve as a leader, live a balanced life, and apply ethical principles to make a significant difference.”

JOEL MANBY, CEO OF HERSCHEND FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT“Personal success is to love God and love others.”

OPRAH WINFREY, FOUNDER OF OWN, THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK
“Be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be.”

AMANDA STEINBERG, FOUNDER OF DAILYWORTH.COM
“Use my gifts of intelligence, charisma, and serial optimism to cultivate the self-worth and net-worth of women around the world.”

Maya Angelou:
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla:
If something is important enough you should try, even if the probable outcome is failure.

Walt Disney, Founder of Walt Disney Productions:
To make people happy.


7 Questions To Ask Yourself To Find Your Mission Statement

1. What is the problem you are seeing in the world?
2. What are you intending to fix?
3. Why are you doing what you are doing? And why is that? And why is that? (I usually find that by asking 3 “whys” or more, I can find the real reason for something.)
4. What in your past experience makes you passionate about this?
5. What would the best version of yourself look like?
6. How are you different from other people who are doing similar things?
7. Is your mission sufficiently narrow enough to be differentiate it from others?

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