Book Review: The Zahir by Paulo Coelho

Completed another book from one of my favourite author. I know I am very late in reading this book but as they say, "Better late than never". I love Paulo Coelho's writings because somewhere I feel connected with whatever he writes. Not only me, I think most of his readers feel the same way. He has written about a very relevant thing in everyday life which is simple looking yet complex to understand, easy sounding yet difficult to implement and that is: the intriguities and complexities of a Husband- Wife relationship. 

We think that the most important thing in any relationship is Love but sometimes, Love, alone, is not just enough. The requirement is much bigger and taller than that. There are many elements that are part of Love but are ignored usually. Bollywood has moulded our generation mindset to think that Love can conquer anything. May be it can, but what it doesn't teach us is 'How to keep it alive for the rest of our lives'. And there my dear, loses many.

So, what it is according to Paulo:

- The Support System: You need to support your partner with all your might and may be beyond that. But that doesn't mean that one starts taking the other for granted. It should always be both sided. 

- Lifting each other up: You should always keep lifting your partner up in the area where he/she feels happy. Lifting doesn't mean in terms of Job only or money related matters but everything that makes the other person happy and the life worth living. You should keep on reminding them their 'Higher purpose of living'.

- Never de-prioritize yourself: In the process of living for your partner, you should never lose 'Yourself' on the way. Keep yourself happy first in order to maintain a healthy relationship. Then only it can be an effortless relationship.

- Chase your dreams: Marriage doesn't mean that you stop dreaming and quit working on them in order to live a monotonous and machinery life as stated by society. Stopping to chase your dreams is equivalent to stop living before you are dead, no matter how crazy they are.

- Provide Space: Personal space is a very important thing and both should always respect it. This keeps a bond of love intact and gives chance to the other to develop and grow freely. You can grow together when you grow independently.

- Respect the differences: Two people spending their life together need not have same view points on everything. Find a way so that both the opinions can co-exist.

- Follow your heart: Last but not the least, always follow your heart. If it is meant to be yours, it will always wait. God always gives you signals ('Omens', in Paulo's language), you just have to be patient enough and smart to recognize them.

Note: Everybody draw learnings from a book or an event based on their understanding and perceptions. I believe that nothing is right or wrong but situational. Open to know your opinions on this. 

Thank you!!