all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it

 Paulo CoelhoのThe Alchemistにある部分の抜粋です。これは私が大学受験の直前期に英語の先生が話してくださったものです。物語でありながら,幾分か啓発的な事柄が含まれているようにも感じられる部分です。なんとなく世界の大きさが感じられ,物事がうまくいかなかったり,辛いときには勇気を与えられる良い言葉です。ふと思い出したので,載せてみたいと思います。

"I'm the king of salem," the old man had said.

"Why would a king be talking with 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 your destiny.

The boy didn't know what a person's "destiny" was.

"It's what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young,

knows what their destiny 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 realizer their destiny."

None of what the old man was saying made much sense to the boy. But he wanted to

know what the "mysterious force" was; the merchant's daughter would be impressed

when he told her about that!

"It's a force that appears to be negative, but actually show you how to realize your

destiny. It prepares our spilit 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."

"Even when all you want to do is travel? Or marry the daughter of a textile merchant?"

"Yes, or even search for treasure. The soul of the World is nourished by people's

happiness. And also by unhappiness, envy ,and jealousy. To realize one's destiny is a

person's only real obligation. All things are one.

"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to

achieve it."