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“The way the character in the book thinks about things, it gets your mind going. It makes you think about yourself and your life.” ~David Archuleta
This is what David had to say about the popular book “The Alchemist”, by Paulo Cohelo. It’s the story of a shepherd boy on a journey in search of a treasure that leads him to the Pyramids of Egypt. It is a quest that came to him in a dream. Along the way he meets several people who participate in ways that eventually help him find his real treasure, true love. One of the central themes in the story is “When you want something, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it”.
I downloaded the book and listened to it while I was working. 
Hearing that theme made my mind jump right to David’s journey. His dream is being revealed on a daily basis. Along the way, everyone who shared in his journey helped him realize his destiny. Beginning with his parents, to Victor Hugo’s, “Les Miserables,” to his voice coach, Dean Kaelin, and from Star Search to American Idol and then to Jive Records, all have played a part to get him where he is today. We fans play a huge part in the journey as well, by supporting him unconditionally in his career. When you think of all the places he has traveled to perform, all the amazing experiences he has had, it is clear that the universe is truly working on his behalf.
At one pivotal point in the book, the boy meets a man who says he is a king and his name is Melchizedek. He asks the boy for a tenth of his sheep and gives him two stones called Urim and Thummim to guide him in his travels.
“Why would a king be talking to a shepherd?” the boy asked, awed and embarrassed.
“For several reasons. But let’s say that the most important is that you have succeeded in discovering you Personal Legend.”
The boy didn’t know what a person’s “Personal Legend” was.
“It’s what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend….”
“It’s a force that appears to be negative, but actually shows you how to realize your destiny. It prepares your spirit and your will, because there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.” ~ The Alchemist
When David was thirteen years of age his voice became weak. He could not finish more than a song. He was examined and learned he had vocal chord paralysis. One vocal chord was not functioning when he sang, causing the remaining healthy one to tire more easily. I believe this was his “negative force.” Through rest and eventually with the help of his voice coach, Dean Kaelin, David regained his singing skills. His desire and dedication to sing became all-consuming.
“Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there. By immersing yourself, it will lead to the treasure.” ~ The Alchemist
David read this book at just the right time, when his soul was searching for answers. It is evident that he took the theme of this story to heart. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too. When we, like David, have the courage to believe in ourselves and passionately pursue and truly live our dreams, we unleash forces that help us in ways we never imagined possible.
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
