“WHAT’s your personal legend?,” my friend asked me over a cup of coffee.

“Is that a Paolo Coelho question? Did you get that from The Alchemist?,” I reply, just making sure we didn’t get our wires crossed.

“Yes. Personal legend as in the destined path one takes to achieve real happiness,” she answered.

“Then for me it is to write. At least I think it is to write,” I sipped my coffee, a bit unsure. After a few moments, I nodded. “Yes, I think it has to do with writing. And you?”

“I don’t know yet,” she shook her head. “I do wish I knew what it was.”

Our talk was inspired by discussing life paths. Were we really happy in the corporate world? What were our passions? If we knew what they were, was it wise to blend passions and career? What life path made us the happiest? Borrowing from Paolo Coelho, what was our personal legend?

According to Coelho’s The Alchemist, one’s personal legend is the path that makes us the happiest, the path that fills our heart the most. For some it is easy to determine what it is. Others may think of several things that make them truly happy. And there are those who haven’t determined what their own legend is. How does one know what it is?

In his blog entry, “Following Your Personal Legend,” Paolo Coelho shares some steps from Alan Cohen on how one can rediscover their personal legend. The twelve steps to finding that personal legend look pretty simple on paper, but the challenge is in really gathering the guts to pursue it. Check out his entry and be inspired to rediscover your personal legend.

My favorite items are “Follow your intuition” and “Take risks.” Have faith in yourself. Go out on a limb and pursue it! Have faith in your happiness. Have faith in pursuing what makes you genuinely happy, and that desire will come true for you soon.

I forwarded the link to my friend after our talk. She did the exercise briefly and says she has a pretty good picture of what her personal legend is. While it’s still a little bit vague, she says, at least she knows what path to take. So far, that path is making her happy and is fulfilling her like no other.

As for me, I continue to write, write, write. I write poetry. I blog. I write in my personal journal. Writing is my passion and happiness. Helping others is another happiness of mine. Perhaps helping others through my writing IS my personal legend. I am happily walking down this destined path. This is real happiness for me.

What’s your personal legend?