The Challenge – what’s this all about?
On January 1st, 2010, Paulo Coelho published on his blog a challenge: whoever is able to answer twelve questions, follow them to geographical locations and document one’s being there, will receive a sword and some prize money. The trip will take one on a trip of approximately 1,500 kilometers and it’s not just straight trough because one has to meet real people and they might not be at their homes or workplaces when one shows up. So time becomes kind of uncalculable in this journey, plus one has to leave what he’s doing and also just get there, which in my case means crossing the Atlantic first.
When I read the challenge, I understood it immediately as a personal call to go and do it, get the sword. I spent a while thinking about it, about my motivations and came to the conclusion that I will go and visit all locations, solve all additional tasks there in order to receive my sword. Whether it will be the physical sword that is the prize, that I don’t know – neither if I’m going to be the first one to arrive. What I understand as my sword is the journey itself, the planning of which (including solving the 12 questions) has excited me already like nothing else in the last 20 years or more.
Since I can think, I have been carrying inside myself the seeds to stories but struggled planting and growing them. My real journey of life has now begun with this challenge; almost instantly I knew (finally!) what to do. The outcome is secondary, but I’m on my way!
Issues and worries will present themselves, in fact, they already have. But I will proceed and share all of it. I don’t know if that will be of interest to anybody but then: this is my very personal calling and it doesn’t really matter; important is for me just to do it and to share with me and eventually also with others because it simply gets out the seeds from inside.
I’m not a student nor retired, a working man with lots of work on his hands and I have a family, wife and kid. It’s not like I can simply leave and say “see you when I see you” and have fun following a sword. But very much like Fatima in the Alchemist, my wife gave me her blessing and knows that “the men of the desert” have to follow the signs and pursue the dream of which she has been a part of.
As to the work, as I mentioned, I have already a lot of it and the way I am planning to do the journey for me, even adds to it with additional writing and a trip being away. At this point, I really don’t know whether and or how I will be able to continue with everything else. But the challenge touched a part of my soul that makes it impossible not to heed the call!
And of course, there is the positive thinking inside, the belief in a positive outcome; as Bernard Shaw put it “The power of the dream exists in the believing.”
Bernard Shaw wrote really interesting stuff and I discovered him only recently really, when I came across him for the second time after many years and I want to close for now with quoting him on success, which I hope to achieve:
“Fear holds us and binds us and keeps us from growing. It kills a small piece of us each day. It holds us to what we know and keeps us from what’s possible, and it is our worst enemy. Fear doesn’t announce itself; it’s disguised, and it’s subtle. It’s choosing the safe course; most of us feel we have “rational” reasons to avoid taking risks. The brave man is not the one without fear, but the one who does what he must despite being afraid. To succeed, you must be willing to risk total failure; you must learn this. Then you will succeed.”
Once more I thank you, Paulo! You may have saved my life just another time.
Category: The Challenge
I bless your divine presence , and i send to you light and strenght.
Wow! Have a great journey. I hope you will find your legend if not a sword. You are an inspiration to follow one’s heart. Please keep us posted about your life changing journey.
Blessings,
Veronica
Fantastic well done that man!!!!
God’s speed be with you
Your determination is everybody’s dream even in the silent and most sensitive place of our hearts and souls……my tears of joy for you and hope for me just fell…….Hope that you find what you’re after…….Good Luck and please keep us informed……
from my heart
Maggie
I admire your courage. Blessings,
Rosemary
Good Luck my friend. Hope you´ll find your Ithaca…
May the divine be with you.
You have already taken the first big step….overcoming your fear.The step which is the hardest for most of us.There is something that helps me, iam sharing it with ya in case.
When in difficulty,pray for guidance before making a decision.Men can give you advice only as far as their intelligence can reach,but HE who illuminates the intellect will reveal to you the way out of the difficulty.Have patience and wait prayerfully.Prayer can bring about the impossible.
Good luck my friend.
May successe shain up on you,all the best…
)
I’m with you brother!
Still on my way to find my sword. Or better: to regain the one I already had!
But faith, hope and love are a good company and guide
Fortune favours the brave,Good Luck Paulo.
Take care….
Sending love and blessings….
Good luck….
All my blessings to you and your wuonderful family!!!
Lia
This is great! Best of luck for your journey!
Sincerely
Shivang.
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by BernoRdz: RT @santiagosdream: The Challenge – what’s this all about? http://bit.ly/7VqK0t // follow him!!…
I want to go with you. please let me go with you.
enjoy the adventure!.. cool blog and quote from bernard shaw. Good on you for having the balls to go on and do it!
Wow! Im really impress, i have the best wishes for you…That’s it!Follow you heart and there will find your treasure! Keep us posted!
we think the sword in the inspiration
I’m glad you’re able to take on the challenge, I was hoping to do it myself this year, but as you mentioned things get in the way…anyway, this is about you and not me :] so I wish you THE BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR PERSONAL QUEST, WHATEVER YOU MAY OR MAY NOT FIND, I THINK YOU’LL FIND the WHY YOU WENT THERE IN THE 1ST PLACE ;D
YOU are a EXAMPLE OF A WORRIOR!
Take care….cause i am waiting just for a SIGN …and I ´ll be with you,If GOD WANT!
LOVE AND STRENGTH…to YOU MY FRIEND!
MIRELA
My soul flies with you on your quest and I avidly wait to hear your adventures.
Your challenge, challenges me.. Blessings !!!!!.. already a winner…
GOOD LUCK “AN EAGLE”
To a true warrior – well done Santiago. You have fought an impeccable fight. What an inspiration you are to us all! I’ll be toasting a glass of champagne to you tonight!
Love and graTitude
Karin