The Price of Success Paulo Coelho's argument has merit. Yes, each of us has a personal calling, but not all of us are able to realize it due to our lack of courage. In most cases, like mine, fear is the root of all my problems; it chains me. But this is not the case for Santiago, in the novel The Alchemist, and in this I found exaltation. In the novel, Santiago manages to overcome all the obstacles he encounters both internal and external. The dilemma he encounters, which I strongly identify with because I face them daily: the fear of responsibility, of suffering and above all the fear of failure. Fear of failure is a frequent battle I find within myself. Often, because of this fear, I struggle to trust myself, to the point that I hesitate to pursue something I want the first time the opportunity presents itself. Usually, I have to gather enough courage before looking for it. As a result, in some cases it is already too late. The fear of failure hinders my progression and as a result I lose sight of my aspirations. In the novel The Alchemist, the Alchemist tells Santiago during his last quest, when asked to transform into wind, that nothing is impossible: "There is only one thing that makes dreams impossible to achieve: the fear of fail" (141 ). I find I can relate to Santiago in this situation because of my athletic history. Whenever I try out for a team I always feel anxious and nervous. “What if I'm not good enough?” or “What if I can't do it?” These are two questions I ask myself every time. I question my abilities and skills and everything I have accomplished so far is no longer comforting. Then I convince myself that failure is inevitable and so I don't bring fo...... middle of paper ......g are all things I've struggled with my whole life. Afterwards I learned a lot. It is important to overcome insecurities and instead of avoiding obstacles, try to face them. The difference between an individual who realizes their dream and another who does not is based on a question of choice. Those with persistence and determination will reach their true potential because they are willing to endure the pain of it all. After reading The Alchemist, I have come to the conclusion that responsibility, pain, and failure should not be avoided; their character building and essential to enable me to achieve my dreams. Everything that has great value has a price and in the end everything is possible, it's just a matter of deciding if it's worth the risk. Works Cited Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. 1. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1993. 167. Print.