What are some of the more important lessons Santiago learns in Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist?

There are many lessons that Santiago learns in Paulo
Coelho's The Alchemist. Truthfully, I find something new each time
I pick the book up again. One of the beautiful things about this short novel is that the
simplistic story is overflowing with meaningful pieces of wisdom
(life-lessons).

Santiago learns that things are not always
as they appear. For instance, he thinks his recurring dream is a promise of money;
actually it is a promise of personal achievement, and hopes and dreams realized. He
believes that the young man who befriends him in the market place is actually trying to
help him, but Santiago learns that the man was only interested in stealing his
money.

Santiago learns that the world around him is
speaking to him through omens all the time. One of the most impressive omens that
Santiago recognizes is that of the hawks fighting: the vision that comes to him reveals
that the oasis will be attacked, and he is able (through his warning) to save
lives.

Santiago learns that sometimes a negative thing can
really be a blessing in disguise. When he is robbed, he is tempted to give up the
pursuit of his Personal Legend. When he is forced to work for the crystal merchant, he
must learn patience. He finds satisfaction in what he does, but helps the merchant as
well. The "boy" also learns important lessons from the life experiences of the crystal
merchant—things that convince him to continue.

From the
Englishman, Santiago discovers that he cannot be what he is not: this includes trying to
think like the Englishman. Santiago's companion (while crossing the desert) believes
that knowledge comes from books. Santiago considers this and even
tries to learn this way, but he soon finds that books do not speak
to him: the world does, through omens and the Language of the
Universe.

There are many other things Santiago learns, but
perhaps the most important lesson is that life's rewards sometimes present themselves in
surprising or unexpected ways. Some of the things that become the most valuable to
Santiago are finding love with Fatima, becoming one with the universe and connecting
with the Soul of the World. He finds surprising riches on his journey to find
himself.