I recently checked out The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo as a book on CD. I’ve already read the book, but as I’ve been recently devouring some of his more recent works like Witch of Portobello, Brida and The Zahir, I thought I’d revisit the one that got me hooked on this amazing, inspiring author. I was listening to the third CD when my sons got in the car. Skyler was immediately hooked – leaning forward in his seat to listen even more closely as Jeremy Irons read the book with his rich, chocolately voice. Skye asked me a question about how old the boy was and I said I couldn’t remember but it had said something about it at the beginning. When he found out that I was 3/4ths of the way through the story, he turned it off and said he didn’t want to hear any more until he could start from the beginning.

Both Skye and Kobe spent the entire next morning – one of their last days of summer – sprawled out on the couch listening to all four CDs of The Alchemist. After the book was over I told them that it had been translated into 56 languages, winning the Guinness World Record for most translated book by a living author. It has sold more than 65 million copies in more than 150 countries, becoming one of the best-selling books in history.

“You know that that means?” I asked.

“That it’s a really good book,” Kobe answered.

I laughed. Of course, But also that everyone is the same in that we all have a dream in our heart and that it is our greatest wish and greatest feeling to have the universe conspire to help us reach this dream, this personal legend. So just like that childhood game of telling someone when they are hot as they get closer to some hidden treasure, the universe sends omens to guide us toward fulfillment whenever we are on track to follow our deepest desires.

Dreams are different for everyone. Follow yours to find the bliss the universe most wants for you.