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Lessons From Two Drops Of Oil And A Spoon
2020 has been a year marked by a global pandemic, widespread economic uncertainty, and violence erupting around the world. It can be easy to get lost in the chaos and fall into despair.
However, there is still positivity all around if we choose to see it.
One of author Paulo Coelho’s most famous stories from his extraordinary international bestseller The Alchemist is that of the oil and the spoon. It is a story of a boy who seeks to learn the secret of happiness from the wisest man in the world.
Upon traveling for forty days in the desert, the boy finds the wise man living in a beautiful castle and surrounded by merchants, music, and fine delicacies. After waiting patiently for an audience with the sage, the boy asked to learn the secret of happiness.
The wise man had a busy schedule and instructed the boy to explore his beautiful palace and surrounding areas. Before he sent the boy on his way he gave him a spoon with two drops of oil and instructions not to spill the oil.
The boy returned a few hours later with the spoon and oil, but without appreciating the abundant art, gardens, and splendors of the palace. He was too focused on not spilling the oil…
