The landscape around Morella in the Land of Valencia is what I imagined as I read the scenes that took place in Spain.

“It is we who nourish the Soul of the World and it will become better or worse as we become better or worse.”

From the Alchemist

In The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, the main character is a shepherd named Santiago. He is quite content as a shepherd until he has a recurring dream about a treasure. This sets him on a path of discovery of himself and the world – a path on which he learns about the importance of pursuing one’s personal  legend – the treasure and his legend are intertwined.

While following his path, Santiago encounters four obstacles. Of course, these obstacles are woven into the story with some finesse but in the introduction, Coelho identifies them clearly:

1. The first obstacle is negativity. As we grow into adulthood the negative noise also grows. We are told that this is not possible or that can’t be done. Our passions and personal legend may be drowned out by the noise. But you need to know, they are still there.
2. The second obstacle is love. If, as adults, we still know our passions and the path we want to pursue, we may not do so for fear of disappointing those we love – those who rely on us. You need to remember that those we love well, wish us well. They will want us to realize our personal legends.
3. The third is fear of failure. There is no doubt that in pursuing our personal legend we will encounter some difficulties along the way. We will stumble and at times it may look like we won’t succeed. And, when that happens we won’t be able to say, “ah well, it doesn’t really matter that much”. After all, it is a personal legend we’re talking about. But be patient. Even an indirect route can get you to your destination.
4. The fourth is the guilt of success. Many who pursue their personal legend will stop just short of realizing it because, well, who are they to realize their dreams when so many they know don’t. Believe yourself worthy of your success. After all, it has not come easily. You have overcome three other obstacles to do so.

It is only natural that the story of the Alchemist is told about a solo traveler and a supporting cast of characters he meets along the way. And it is not surprising that our solo traveler, Santiatgo, eventually finds his treasure at home.

It is by traveling alone, that we have the time to reflect on who we are – our passions, dreams and personal legend. That we encounter people and ideas that are outside our typical social realm who help us discover treasure we didn’t know existed. That we learn that this treasure is actually at home waiting to be recognized. It is by traveling alone that we “become better and more able to nourish the soul of the world.”

I encourage you to mull on those obstacles above. Do any of them interfere with you pursuing your personal legend? Should they?

This month on Solo Traveler you will read a number of posts in which solo travelers have set the obstacles aside in pursuit of their personal legends.

Volcanic Rock Shoreline Near Pyoseon Beach

The Pic of the Week is drawn from photos submitted to the Solo Travel Society Facebook Group, providing an opportunity for solo travelers to share with us a favorite photo from their travels.

This week’s pic by Solo Travel Society member Lucy was taken on the south shore of Jeju Island in South Korea.

Reconstruction of seasonal 12th century Islamic fishing village.

I invited Gwen McCauley to contribute this month because of our theme of pursuing your personal legend. Gwen is a Canadian Life Transition Coach, author, artist and facilitator of secular retreats and culinary programs in the Algarve, Portugal.  Her most recent book Gwen’s Guide to Dining Well in the Algarve is available as a free e-book. You can learn more about off-the-beaten-track Algarve from her blogs: Algarve Experiences and My Algarve. You can also follow Gwen on  Twitter.

I breathe deeply and feel the bubble of release move through my core …I am free! The adventurer I see myself as, can ‘adventure’ at will.  For the next two weeks I will ramble the Algarve as the mood strikes, letting whim direct my daily activities with not another soul’s needs to consider or attend to.

“I travel solo to notice boundaries and discover more about myself.”

My life is filled with people. I love the interactions I have with my coaching clients and friends.  But there comes a time when my need for time, space and adventure bursts forth.  The Algarve has become one of my favorite places to explore the adventurer in me, to notice my boundaries and to discover more about mySelf.

These periods on my own are typically times of exploration – finding new roads that I haven’t rambled down before, discovering yet another isolated beach, dining solo in a new roadside cafe or restaurant, seeking out friendly folks to have conversations with.  I am inspired by the state of solo exploration, my essential nature surfaces. Some deeply held identity comes out to play.  The safe environment provided by the Algarve offers the added bonus that I feel totally free to go where I wish without concern.

I am as likely to explore the micro landscape as I am to discover the macro.  My car can frequently be found pulled over while I wander through an abandoned field, seeking interesting plants and rock formations or listening to bird songs that are foreign to my North American ears.  Spring is an especially lovely time because the fields are awash with wild herbs in bloom.  The countryside is lush with delicate blossoms.

Precious memories traveling alone.

One precious memory is driving down a pot-holed dirt road and pulling over by a south-facing hillside covered in wild thyme.  The only sound I could hear was the droning of dozens of bees feeding on the wild thyme and lavender flowers all around me.  I stood there for a long time soaking up that precious experience that could only happen because I was rambling solo.  What a delight.

The magic of solo travel includes the confidence and increased Self awareness that it offers. Reconnecting with myself as ‘Adventurer’ renews and refreshes me. It invites me to move forward in life in new ways.  I always return to my family, clients, friends and colleagues as a better person having spent time by myself.  The Algarve, in particular, provides me a vibrant yet gentle place in which to discover new depths within me.  What a wonderful way to live life!