When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.

One year later he dropped out and lived life as a hippie traveling through South America North Africa Mexico and Europe and started drugs in the 1960s. Paulo Coelho (Portuguese: [ˈpawlu kuˈeʎu]; born August 24 1947) is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist. As a teenager Coelho wanted to become a writer.

He has become one of the most widely read authors in the world today. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious international awards amongst them the Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum and France's Légion d'honneur.