“…when you want something, all the universe conspires to help you to achieve it.”  The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

My favorite book turns 25 this year. It’s the best story about following your dreams and trusting your intuition I’ve read, and one I return to for inspiration time and time again.

The Alchemist confirmed my experience and fed my hopes when it turned up in my hand over 20 years ago. It’s a simple story but relates many profound spiritual truths.   If you read only the first 30 pages and really get it, I swear it will shift the way you think and perhaps the direction of your life.

The universe is expressing through us all the time, and wants to take us in the direction of our best interests, our talents, and our gifts.  It is only when we fight what we know deep down to be true, when a “mysterious force” begins to talk us out of our dreams, that life becomes difficult. It is never easy to swim against the current.

Life starts not working out, plans fail, health leaves us – but it is all part of the grander plan to bring us back to where we need to be. The trick is to be open and watch for the signs.  That’s when intuition leads the way.  The universe is always speaking to us.  Listen.

What books changed your life?  Please share some titles and your experience!