We have to take risks. We can only truly understand the miracle of life when we let the unexpected manifest itself.
Every day — together with the sun — God gives us a moment in which it is possible to change everything that makes us unhappy. Every day we try to pretend that we don’t realize that moment, that it doesn’t exist, that today is just the same as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow. But if you pay attention, you can discover the magic instant. It may be hiding at the moment when we put the key in the door in the morning, in the silence right after dinner, in the thousand and one things that all seem the same to us. This moment exists — a moment when all the strength of the stars passes through us and lets us work miracles.
Happiness is at times a blessing — but usually it’s a conquest. The magic instant helps us to change, drives us forward to seek our dreams. We shall suffer and go through quite a few difficult moments and face many a disappointment — but this is all transitory and inevitable, and eventually we shall feel proud of the marks left behind by the obstacles. In the future we will be able to look back with pride and faith.
Poor are those who are afraid of running risks. Because maybe they are never disappointed, never disillusioned, never suffer like those who have a dream to pursue. But when they look back — for we always look back — they will hear their heart saying: “What did you do with the miracles that God sowed for your days? What did you do with the talent that your Master entrusted to you? You buried it deep in a grave because you were afraid to lose it. So this is your inheritance: the certainty that you have wasted your life.”
Poor are those who hear these words. For then they will believe in miracles, but the magic instants of life will have already passed.
We must listen to the child that we once were, and who still lives within us. This child understands about magic instants. We can muffle his sobbing, but we can’t hush his voice.
If we aren’t reborn, if we don’t see life again with the innocence and enthusiasm of childhood, then there is no more sense to living.
There are many ways to commit suicide. Those who try to kill their body offend God’s law. Those who try to kill their soul also offend God’s law, although their crime is less visible to the eyes of man.
Let us be heedful of what the child within us has to say. Let’s not feel ashamed of it. Let’s not allow it to feel afraid, because it’s lonely and is scarcely ever heard.
Let’s allow the child within us to take the reins of our existence a little. This child says that one day is different from another.
Let’s make the child feel loved again. Let’s please this child — even if it means acting in a way that we’re not used to, even if it seems foolish in the eyes of others.
Remember that the wisdom of men is madness before God. If we listen to the child we bear in our soul, our eyes will shine once more. If we don’t lose contact with this child, we won’t lose contact with life.
Let’s live all the magic instants of 2009!
Love
There is always someone in the world waiting for someone else, whether in the middle of the desert or in the heart of some big city. And when these two people’s paths cross and their eyes meet, the whole of the past and the whole of the future lose all importance, and there only exists that moment and that incredible certainty that everything under the Sun was written by the very same Hand. The Hand that awakens Love and creates a sister soul for everyone who works, rests and seeks treasures under the Sun. Were it not for this, the dreams of the human race would make no sense.
Very true, Sir Paulo. I m all right.
Great Article!
I am speechless from reading your beautiful and inspiring words. WOW is all I can say.
Corinna
I relate well to this article as I have taken many steps in my life that were perceived risks to others, but for me they were a natural progression toward fulfillment and away from stagnation. I have known many people who seem to be quite content basically living the same day over and over again – suffocating the possibility of the present moment and of the ‘morrow beneath the weight of “the known and comfortable.” Some have dreams yet wait for some elusive perfect opportunity to present itself before they move toward them. They are afraid of inspired action and are tethered to their current point by the ropes of what is “realistic” and “practical.” It saddens me because the potential that might have burgeoned outward in limitless ways eventually narrows and withers.
Thanks for putting words to something I’ve always felt but had a hard time expressing. Those moments sometimes can just take your breath away. Often it happens at the most unexpected thing and you realize you have experienced joy down to the deepest part of your heart.
A beautiful reminder written especially for me. Mr. Coelho, you’ve delivered these much-needed words at a time when I need them most.
Thank you.
Very true, Sir Paulo. Very true.
Paulo Coelho, you are an far more than inspiration. Your words are seeds I take, plant them in my life with the hopes they will grow strong one day.
just beautiful!
oh i found this so incredibly moving.