The Moment by Paulo Coelho

[janetplanetk]

the best and worst came at the same time years ago. the worst: my marriage broke up, all my savings gone, a dangerous health condition, my house was robbed. in this condition i took myself to a shrine containing a portion of Gandhi's ashes. first miserable, then i felt hope. i took the last handful of coins i had between me and total destitution and tossed them into a nearby spiritual wishing well. after this time slowly and then faster and faster a whole new life opened up.

Rebirth!

[shayan760]

The moment that changed my life for the better was when I first gave up my age-old obsession of waiting for someone who wasn't gonna return and embraced a totally new, happy life filled with a different kind of love. And the moment which changed my life for worse was when I abandoned my entire previous self and went into a shell of no self-confidence.....but I must thanks Mr. Coelho and his 'By the River Riedra I sat down and Wept' for renewing hope and faith in love in my soul!

[stevaoify]

The moment changed my life for better was the moment that I touched the ground of a America!! By the way I'm Brazilian , but I always felt the connection with American culture . I still live my country , but I really like America , I guess the freedom is the one think I like the most. The worst thing I ever did it was leave America to go to Japan!!!! Thanks :..

[rubina2712]

the moment which changed my life to better was when i was feeling very down with no confidence because could not keep any work,i was in and out no matter what i did, after i started to have problems at home and everywhere and suddenly i saw the age limit for au-pair in the UK,I was 26 and maximum age was 27 and in that moment i told myself now or never. I planned to go for 6 months and now I am here 6,5years and i dont regret at all.It gave me a lot.Now just waiting for some dreams to come true

[lbkalinka27]

the moment that changed my life is when i was supposed wake up early one morning and travel to a near city, being my lazy self i couldnt wake up and slept for another 3 or 4 hours, when i woke up i heard the bus that i was supposed to go onto caught on fire, the thing about being 18 is you think you have your life ahead of you but i realized that i could die at any given moment, and i should follow my dreams and not waste time on things other people tell me are best for me.

[crizzy815]

The moment that changed everything for me was when my first born son was born, He was beautiful, perfect, but the doctors had made a fatal error. by using forceps they harmed his brain stem he was put on to life support and we had to decide to take him off. It took many years for me to find faith again, I traveled many dark roads, some mind numbing, but I became to see things very differently, now 17 yrs later, with 2 beautiful children a son and daughter, Though I am now a single mom I am happy

[denisefayheewolf]

Paulo and The Alchemist (and each of his books) have been a source of inspiration throughout my life and my own book, The Bountiful Garden. My moment of change a tragedy that has revealed itself as a blessing was after my parents were killed in a car accident that left my sister in a coma.

[Larsenbce]

I think the moment when my father died and I was playing streetfighter, that was the moment that changed my life. Because from then on, I had live without him and so I lost someone I liked, but so I had to find out what life is really for.

[Glamorouz0]

The worst moment of mine is... losing myself, not knowing what am I feeling, being confused & putting aside all of my problems ...this has created a person of me that i dont recognize

[crismayu]

I love you paoulo i really do :) all your words comes with a simplesity but this simplesity brings sences and love :))

[RoxanneMontreal]

Lost the will to live when I realized none of my dreams were being accomplished and that no one wanted to be with me. So I started stripping. It changed everything, truly, for better and for worse. For better because it gave a new sense to my life, it helped me financially and i learned so much through this trade. For worse because now I am more scared than ever. There are two me. The stripper me and the real me. It's as if all my confidence went into my work and left me with nothing but fear.

[CNUtheAuthor]

I'd have to say one of the moments that changed my life was to start my journey into writing and illustrating. My books have been my life for the past 3-4 years.

As far as negative moments? I'd rather not be depressing and rehashing them will solve nothing, so I'd rather just move forward.

Wonderful discussion. :)

-CNU

[danceswithcrayons]

The moment that changed my life happened in Melk at your St Joseph/Birthday party! My dream was to thank you, in person. And my dream turned out better than I even dreamt!!!!!!  Surprise after surprise. FULL of love, faith and hope. And gratitude, because the angels helped me get there!!! Now, I know that I am a dream within a dream : ) Thank you Paulo xoxoxo

[Renaria84]

Thank you Paulo for this question. I have read your books when I was younger but now I think I have to read them again. Currenly I am going through a difficult phase in my life but I try to tell my self that when it get's better I have to be proud of my self on how I accted when it was hard. And yeah, the moment that changed everything is the dream where my grandma who died told me "go out, have some fun".)

[mommamema]

What I thought to be the worst moment in my life,, turned out to be the best !

[65markarsenal]

wow!! This website is amazing!!..i have downloaded all the novels for free of cost..wonderful website digibooks4u[DOTT]info

[jordygahenna]

two years ago....everything changed...It was difficult but at the end...I knew that eveything that happened was just like it was supposed to...Now I look back and I feel very proud of himself because they were like obstacles in my life and I jump them!! U r a genious Paulo!! :) Love ur books!

[Derv24]

My best moment was the day I believed myself, the sun shone in the window of the car and I started sobbing and it was tears of joy mingled with a child's tears of a past. I will never forget that day. It changed everything I knew.

My worst moment was sitting on a bank by the wild Atlantic ocean. It was a deep deep place. Walking away from the ocean changed the value I placed on myself. I chose wisely.

Yeah, thanks for the opportunity to remember those times. x

[JESUSISTHEONLYESCAPE]

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Call on Me while you may, and I will accept you and forgive you. I love you and do not desire that you should be lost.

"Believe this report and live. Choose you this day whom you will serve."

[JESUSISTHEONLYESCAPE]

"If you will repent, O earth, I will bless you and not curse you. Awaken from your sleep, and come unto Me. Humble yourselves and bow your hearts before Me, and I will come and live with you. You will be My people, and I will be your God."

[danceswithcrayons]

Now my worst moment was when my dear little sister was killed and I tried but failed in trying to prevent it from happening. But just over a year later, a best moment arrived because god sent her to be my Guardian Angel. And although the tragedy was the most difficult to bear in life (nothing has even come close), she is with me! My sister loves pink. That is why pink is a sign to me, especially magical to see, in the sky. Thank you Paulo : )

[danceswithcrayons]

Dear Paulo...I watched a video today of a friend playing the piano, and it was a reminder of another 'huge, right moment'. When I gave up everything 'owned' for the adventure of living. I 'thought' it was going to be difficult to do, especially parting with my piano, and playing music. But when the day arrived to let go, the doing was easier than all the time spent, in thinking about it! Sometimes just have to laugh at myself!! Thank you : )

[laesperjencia]

had to choose between death and life of love separated from my love: (

If I give it life, gave it

[SmultronsyltNatha]

.................

The other moment was when I realized that this image of god was wrong as well, and since then I have not belonged to one religion. I have accepted what I believe is true and plausible and rejected what I believe is wrong. And I am open for many things.

The leader of that "sect" was hated by many people (I think she was mentally ill), but she gave me a very important understanding. Unfortunately she hurt many people too...

[SmultronsyltNatha]

I've had two moments which have helped me much and I would be a totally different person if they wouldn't have happened.

The first time was when I realized that my image of god was unrealistic. My god had high expectations on me and gave me a lot if guilt. I kind of converted to another "religion" (it was not really a religion, more like a sect...) for a while and it felt much better................

[ivanny2008]

I have been writing since I was 8 years old. I finally found a Writing workshop in Spanish here in Chicago. The first day I went to one of the events promoted at the workshop, I got a huge parking ticket. I got so discouraged thinking "maybe is a bad sign". BUT then I noticed my happiness despite the negative events so I said to myself "I am not taking this as a no, forget it ..THIS IS MY CHANCE!"

[redpepper25]

when my dad passed away things changed... for better because its an eye opener for the rest of the family.. what are the responsibility of my father that we have to handle.. it made us better person somehow coz we become more mature in decisions.. in thinking. everything.

when my father died we saw who are the true friends and not. i dont say our life becomes miserable but there are obstacles we are going through.. I just thank God that somehow we can handle it..and this keeps our faith...

[JAHZIGIRL]

When I read The Alchemist yesterday it changed my life. God Bless You for your vocation and your love of God and truth. Robinicole

[workfornuts]

Your books changed my life. You were one of the best writers ever and your legacy will last forever. R.I.P. Paulo de Almeida Coelho ~1947+2009

[mariacyprusgreece]

but he is not dead... i dont get it

:S

[6lbhead555]

1977, I awoke in my truck, hungover, out of gas, out of $, out of time with no idea where I was or how I got there. Not unusual. But this time I had a deep "feeling" that if this continued I would surely die and soon. I saw only one choice, did I want to live or die. I chose to live. I have not had a drink or the desire since that life-changing morning. Life opened up many opportunities. I now believe that "feeling" came from the world between that is usually invisible to us.

[Muusful]

It's not surprising me to read how many people call The Alchemist their change of life.

It happenend to me as well, The Alchemist is surely the most beautiful book of them all (I dont have a very large collection yet but still)

The change of my life was the year when my mother finally could embrace the lesbian-me.

It took 5 years..

I found rest all of a sudden, and then I met the love of my life :-)

[tushy911]

For the worse, was the moment that I was told my mother had cancer.

[tushy911]

the moment that changed my life for the better was when I was 19. I was supposed to go to a friend's house but it was winter and she lived far away so I decided to just stay home. But then at the last minute I changed my mind and went. At her house that night a couple of us started talking about travelling and hatched a plan to move to the UK for a year, and lead me down the life path I am on now and I love. This hadn't been on my mind before so I know it wouldn't have happened otherwise.

[LoreEla]

I am so grateful I don't have - yet - a moment to "change everything for worse"...

as for a moment to change everything for good...it's not just one, there were more than a few in which I realised that, for some reason, the divine intervention ALWAYS made an appearance in my life... and I'm not that religious

those moments showed me I don't have to care about bad people that are everywere and try to poison our lives... karma will take care of each and every one of us, sooner or later...

[syrahlover]

one moment, which changed everything from better to worse also changed everything from worse to better!

***

a bad motorcycle accident, leg almost amputated, provided me with a year off, for thinking and to develop my first appreciation for my body, which i had never been grateful for, before

***

it also taught me how to ask for help

[danceswithcrayons]

Whenever I cave in to pressure and decide to 'give in to fit in', this changes my life for the worse, although temporary (fully aware of what this will do to me even though it seems to make others more comfortable). Like stifling (not sharing) exhuberance or Joy. It feels like I am dying a little, on the inside. Placing a band-aids over a volcano is futile. By George, I think she's got it!! Thank You Paulo : )

[SpacedTime]

So have you managed to do this less?

Because you can see that all the people who seem to be setting the trends and those who are at the forefront of culture and society are not even too happy within themselves.

the only way to really feel good about yourself is to know that you live righteously and by your own standards.

[laclaudietta90]

LoveHim<3

[BigJay604]

what I have learned during my life, those life chancing moments are usually painful and hard to deal with at first. Maybe something painful like losing loved one, getting addicted to drugs and surviving it and so on. It's all on the way you look at things.

Sometimes lifes lessons are so hard that they can either crush you, or if you look it the right way (the cup is half full), you can get the benefits that the moment in your life has to offer and change your life complitely. -MAKTUB-

[BigJay604]

When I look at the past,there has been LOTS of moments in my life that have offered me the chance to change my life to better.

Everyone gets chances,most people more then one, but it's up to the person to REALIZE the chance and grab onto it, when they are in a point of their life that they're ready for it.

I'm glad that I didn't miss mine. There was lot's of things going on and I can't put it all in this small commentbox. Warrior of light was one piece of the big puzzle,thank you for that. :)

[iguerra00]

a woman appeared out nowhere and showed that he had fathered her son and now has to take care of the twins she gave him and on top of that has to deal with immigration to change the legal status of this guy... and I AM SO GRATEFUL EVERYDAY!!! AND THANK GOD FOR TAKING HIM OUT OF MY LIFE... THAT COULD'VE BEEN ME...

[iguerra00]

It may sound silly but the moment that changed my life for the better when I thought everything was going wrong in my life and my relationships was when I found out that the person I was dating was actually cheating on me, it may sound chaotic but it gave me enough courage to leave him and not be in the position that his now wife (the same girl he was cheating on me with) is. She now has to live with the fact that this guy had a daughter

[r0vercam]

Since I have read the Alchemist there was something going on inside me.. somehow I have felt free, at home.. I have decided to walk the Camino in 2006 and this was the place I felt I am truly living.. now Im going to graduate from the university and decide what to do in my life.. Im not sure but the only thing I want is to grow, develop myself and live a good life.. without fears..

[soiamhere]

in my opinion there is not only a specific moment that change someones life, but maybe a few. personally 2 times had change my life forever. but i declined to change it for worst, even if initially started to changed my life that way. i had tried to find something good in these situatuions, a good lesson for my self. i believe that love and kindness can survive in peoples heart.

[danceswithcrayons]

One of the most important moments in my life was when I found your book, 'The Alchemist' in Glasgow airport while waiting for a flight. Immediately I felt refreshed and renewed in fighting for my dreams. This book is the only one I have written back to, on almost every page, inside the cover - every spare space. I hope that one day, this book is available in all countries in all languages. Thank You Paulo : )

[bailyshouse]

18 years old and my first son was born with a severe physical handicapp. I was devastated and in shock. Hopelessness, "friends" weren't there anymore, I was so angry. I didn't love my son at first. But after weeks, months and then the years all of the negatives melted into goodness and the deepest love I've ever known. He changed me, my life, my way of seeing the world. He died when he was 8 years old. He told me he couldn't take it anymore. I wouldn't trade this part of my life for anything...

[danceswithcrayons]

@bailyshouse I read your story and can understand. My little sister died at age 3, and now she is my guardian angel. How beautiful to experience this love, that changed your life. Children are great teachers, blessings, full of love. I recently experienced this love too, in a collective way, while attending Paulo's St Joseph party in Melk. So I am thinking of you, and sending lots of love your way. Thank you for sharing your story. Love and Blessings, Jane xo

[PukaDemonio]

para peor seria cuando era chica, tenia unos 8 años y mi mama me dijo a mi y mis hermanas que si ella y mi papa se separaban seria nuestra culpa, ya que ellos estaban peleando mucho y nos culpaba a nosotras de eso, perdi toda la fe en los adultos y decidi que el que dijo que a los padres se les debe amar es un retardado y desde ese momento evito a mis padres y nunca mas les dije que los queria.

[mafergonzales]

u r the best paulo!!! indeed a master in disguise.Thanks 4 all ur wonderful and meaningfull literature that had inspired and changed thousands of lives including mine.

[maghy3431]

I belive in God, but one day, I realized that I was living my own prision, I had everything I wanted, but in the end of the day I felt total empty then I asked for God please helped me to find the sense of my life, so he gave the answer when I saw the portada of the book "El peregrino""Diario de un Mago"ilustrado, I felt the calling of God said to me, "Read it", I read it then when I finished it. I decided to take my life in my own hands that moment changed my life.

Deus obrigado a conheci

[fiddelia1]

I have for many years heard and read the sentence "we are all part of the universe!" But suddenly after reading two of your books and having the most amazing eyeopener watching a dokumentory about David Icke.Instead of just reading it, I feel it! It`s a bit crazy I know! But I think I prefer my life a little crazier from now on!

Don´t know if this makes any sense to anybody else than me! I´m not in a habit of writing things down, but it feels really good so I just might continue!! See ya!!

[penno1]

it has to be that moment, when i thought i was going to die, but ending up awakening/realizing something else. That life is just a dream, and certainly has a sense of humour...

[catrin1979]

having dreamt about it for so long, i finally travelled across canada on my own for 2 mnths in 2005 - and it all happened because someone was smiling down at me ....that gave me a confidence like no other and boosted me to action...i had doubts/ fears but i KNEW that i would be ok and that i would loev every second. ever since then i have tried to follow my heart and my soul and reach for my goal!! (know this doesnt quite convey my feelings but honestly, i havent looked back since..)

[alpkancakici]

after 2 years of smoking pot and drinking, i realized that if i kept it going, i was going nowhere in life.  One day at age 17, i came to my father and cried, i felt as if i was an embarrisment, to the idealson that he always wanted me to be. Besides that i knew that i was missing out on so much time with the people who meant the most to me, my parents and my little brother. 2 weeks later my friends got busted with marijuana and some are now in rehab. I feel very lucky that i wasnt one of them.

[frenzyhunter]

My life was once nothing. I had very little hope. Just a poor street kid. One day I left it all behind. At 17, I packed a bag and got on a bus to a new city, a new life with a new name. And since then I have seen the world and experienced a life so fulfilling, fraught with ups and downs and twists and turns...a real life.

[benbutt321]

My moment was when I met the Dahli Lama . He doesn't think about what the rest of the world thinks about him. He just is what he is. This realization changed my life.

[blubomber111]

I walked through life with hatred for my father. I felt he had no love for me. When I reached the ripe old age of 32, I decided to get rid of his poison. I started by expressing rage and hatred. That didn't work, so I forgave him. That day was the day that changed my life. Now my worst abuser is my best friend because I peered into his soul and saw his need for love, so I loved him. It changed my life. My hatred was killing me and holding me back. MB

[darshpreet]

i knw wt you mean since my early childhood i hav felt a similar kind of hatred for my father. for the most part im numb but sometimes i feel lost and hurt wen i realise how much this has broken me. i wish i could forget and forgive like you but somehow i just can let go. wen i luk around i jus cant stop myself i keep wishing wt if he wasnt so abusive, wt if he was different, what if everything was normal. i wish would let go and free myself even though i dun think i d ever be able to love him.

[shyamalanm]

I read BRIDA, loved it, but anxiously waiting for your NEXT BOOK. When is it coming out?

[4elyabinka87]

LOVE... Love chenges everything, turns the world up side down.

[alinalexanderson]

One moment that changed me for better was when I first started reading your books. The message in them transformed the way I think and your books were like signs in my life to do what I like to do not what was bad for me. Thank you!!

[90mloda]

i love you paulo!! keep writing your amazing and inspiring books :) im sorry i dont really have an answer to your question i think i need to live life a little bit more to understand more the good and bad about life becausei am still young for now.. but im sure the time will come :)

[loukasthekid]

when everything was destroyed i happened to hold a book called the alchemist.once i read it i felt that dreams o come true,that if everything that did not go as supposed was not supposed anyway,to dream and feel as a child was the only way.simplicity is beautiful so is the purity that we can find in another person's eyes.we all make mistakes we all feel pain we all have a reason for existing,i want to find that reason i want to be that reason

[LeaCanova]

anyway, i learned to pursue what i feel is right no matter what. the person i met gave me hope even if i screwd up my chances with them...

they were like the emerald that the digger spent years digging for..and when he finally found the stone with the emerald he threw it away not noticing it contained the treasure he longed for

[LeaCanova]

last year, i got to know someone of a different culture than me. it was the best moment of my life. i had the police called on me later..but i don't regret it because the person i met showed me that nice people do exist..they were the kind of person i always secretly wanted to meet...i screwd up with them and i don't know if i will see them again but it showed me that such a beautiful person exists..

*this comment was long so read the one i posted after this

[LeaCanova]

i am not 18 yet, four long months until then

some people are superstitious

well, according to Chinese face reading

I have a "jade" face

it says that I was destined to have a hard childhood

I guess it's true

I have found that it is best to pursue the things you love no matter what

*this comment will be long so please read the one i post after it

[NickYorkieDog]

great vid!

[sosedica]

Dear Paolo,

there are many many such moments every day... For example, two days ago when I was ready to move after the light turned green in the crossing, my right foot was taken with cramp (spasm) and because of that sudden pain I did not press the gas pedal. In the next moment from my left side one car drove through the red light. It means, the cramp (spasm) saved me from a severe car crash.

Best regards and lots of love,

your friend from Slovenia

[januarioglobalvision]

Hi everyone

Maybe by the end of tomorrow i´ll know if it was my best moment or my worse...love will set you free but sometimes it can hurt you so bad...CHEERS TO ALL THAT LOVES SOMEONE!

[Nell111111]

Last year

i met a person

who changed my life forever

and i changed him too

i became the woman i am now cuz of him

it sounds very simple

but i donno where would i have been if it wasn't for him

i would still be the same complicated girl i was before :)

and his name is Paolo :) , he is Italian :)

[jumi025]

Last yr at college, while thinking a lot on what i'm going to do with my life, how i've been doing since day1 of my college life... Thre was none so big that i hve really done that i consider givng my whole hart to.

[sarajevorocks]

The day I fell seriously ill only to find that no one cared to see how I was for a number of days afterwards.

And yet out of this came the shining light which reinvigoratd my soul thanks to one person who really cared after all

[Liina83kiku]

In my life, things turned to worse when my grandfather whom I loved dearly, died by an accident. He had poisoning (I think it's called euhernia), and the family rushed him to hospital, but the doctors decided to operate the next day (which is unusual, because these operations are made as quick as possible, on arrival!), but then it was too late to save him. My life blossomed when I went to university - it's then when I start to "see" things clearly, finally. From now on sun's shining mostly!

[mandopatitaa]

;********* besitosss

[NEVERTURNAWAY]

My Best moment today is to see that Paul look so relaxed and speak with a lovely lovely accent

[Andragonfly]

HI!

A year after my mother died, much as I loved my husband and family I was still full of grief.

Then I became really obsessed with a TV programme. I realize now that I had kept all these feelings about my mum to my chest. The obsession was an outlet of emotions. I had depression and I slowly overcame it watching that programme of which I am still fond of but within reason.

I love my family, have good friends.

I still miss my mum, like anyone who has lost a loved one.

Keep well.

[valevento]

The night I spent in bed in the hospital, after a cynical doctor had told me that I was going to suffer serious damages from the trombosys I had and that I was even risking my life was one of the worst moments in my life. But as I woke up, alive, my way of looking at reality had changed. For better. Well, 10 years have passed from then, through good and bad times... and I'm still there! My tip? Just keep on trying.

[efigeniya]

when u r in too deep of some problem everything seems so complicated but when u took an outside look,an independent position

its like a click in ur mind - everythin is changin,like a new stage in ur life

i was converted to islam when i was a teen and i belived without a doubt but still felt unsutisfied

the turning point was i considered my situation from the outside,considered religion at all,its role in peoples life and my life has changed dramatically...for the better:)

[greatkarisma]

hi.well i can talk day and night about this subject,but i dont want to make u feel bored,so i'll say,as a conclusion.that we never know why things happen in this or that way,we never know what's better or worst for us,we see with our a "material" eye.GOD only know what is the best for us,he always guide us to good things,even if we walk on his way with pain,but in the end we get the joy,and we understand GOD,our lovely creator,and thank him for the pain we felt..

[fleurderable]

Dear Paulo: I had such moment when I realize that no matter what the important thing is to be yourself! There will always be people who like/love you the way you are and some who never will.

[mammaluana]

hi dear paulo,im actually writing a book regarding all my turning points...life put u in situations where u have to decide to go left or right...is ur decision,ur choice...noone will know if is the wright decision...but the important is to decide and move on!!!...ur book the alchemist was very helpful in one of my turning point!!!thanks 4 ur work!!!

[mammaluana]

Hi dear paulo...im actually writing a book regarding all the turning points i had in my life...we are put in situations where we have to choose to go left or right...we are the one deciding for our life...it doesnt matter if is wright o wrong...the good is ta take a decision and move on!!!

thanks for all ur work...ur book alchemist was great help at one of my turning points!!!!!

[onlyone4h]

hello every body, i had two turning point in my life till this moment. The good one is related to my career now, since i joined work in development area in my country.altho i dreamed a lot to be designer.the other one or the bad point, when i have been in love with a man and some poeple interfered in my personal life to break bown this relation. Actully for a moment it seems like endless way.

[Nanno129]

My turning point is the day I got fired from my job. It was for worst financially, my self esteem went down hill. Yet it was the best thing cause it was my time to discover myself. During this time of searching for a job, I got back to doing the little things that I like the most. Things as simple as grabbing a cup of hot chocolate and enjoying reading a book on a snowy day. I believe that bad things or moments are "blessings in disguise". I'm just waiting for the blessing to be revealed.

[msabssa]

I hope things get better for you soon :)