Are you a Harry Potter fan?
Have you read all the books?
Seen all the movies? Including the newest?
Played Quidditch…?
Seriously – I am not embarrassed to say that I am.
I enjoyed the books; have seen the movies…not the new one yet…but I will.
And while I haven’t played Quidditch, I do say “STUPEFY” every once in a while….
And I’m sad that with the last movie being released now the franchise comes to an end – sort of – although much like The Lord of the Rings and such I imagine – and hope – that my great-grandchildren will find it new for themselves.
Now the truth is that Harry has always been in my presentation/speech repertoire. I have used the books as an example of how “truths” that have become holy – for example, that kids don’t read – are based on a lack of observation, and while that may be true for books with poor content – the lines around the world to buy the Harry Potter books as they came out, and their continuing success, points to the power of great writing and the ability to still ignite imaginations with the right stuff…if you will.
Yet my Ramble is not about the books or the movies or the industry that surrounds them – it’s about the author J.K. Rowling, who has been a source of inspiration to me since the first book rolled out.
You all know the story – and if not… it’s worth knowing. Poor single Mom – had an idea – pursued it – and the rest – as they say – is history.
She had an idea. She pursued it. She had no money – it didn’t stop her – but rather motivated her – and we all know the results.
Think about this – how often do we allow ourselves to be held back by budgets, by lack of resources, by other barriers that we deem insurmountable?
Listen:
“Lack of money is no obstacle. Lack of an idea is an obstacle.”
Ken Hakuta
All it takes is an idea. A real idea. A powerful idea. An idea that inspires. An idea that motivates. An idea that leads to more ideas.
How often do we lament our inability to get there because of the obstacles? It didn’t stop Ms. Rowling…
Time to understand that ideas transcend and trump all. If you have a real idea you have already destroyed the obstacles. All of them.
So go enjoy the movie – I can’t wait – I’m going with my daughter and my soon-to-be son-in-law…both big fans like me…
But as much as you enjoy – learn.
What’s your take?
I’m pretty sure you know about this being a Potter fanatic and all but just in case you we’re not aware of it here’s a great digital extension to the series.
http://www.pottermore.com/
Love Harry Potter and think these stories are an example of a brilliant idea that someone believed in enough to be unstoppable. That’s J.K Rowling – a woman who believed in the power of the idea.
btw, I highly recommend the book ‘Unstoppable’ by Cynthia Kersey, which tells stories of people who managed to do the things they believed in, and bring their ideas into the world, sometimes against unbelievable odds. Inspiring. Makes you realize what’s possible and that our reasons for not doing things are, for the most part, pretty lame!
HP7-II was the second Harry potter movie I’ve seen, the first being order of the Phoenix. I never read any of the books, but I will eventually go back and read/watch them all in order.
J.K. Rowling wrote a book with no resources, and while that is inspirational for all of us with a dream, having nothing is something of an asset. Her basic means of subsistence were met by the social safety net of the UK government . So her basic needs were met and she had nothing to lose in her mind by writing the book. She was able to make writing her day job, as opposed to the thing she had to do after a long day at work.
I’m not pointing out to lessen her accomplishments, or make excuses for those that put their dreams aside due to their day jobs. I do think that it is important to think about these things if you do have your own dream.
I’m a 20 years old guy, and the feelling that i’m having now [a mix with proud and saudade' (specifi braziliam term for 'missing')] it’s hard to describe. The first time I ever read the history i just had 10 years old – in other words, half time of my life – and that weird boy who had the same age as me, followed me until yesterday, when i saw the last moovie. It’s like a cicle that comming to an end and with it a lot of good memories come. Diferent from what people say, yes i learn good things with J.K.’s book. Believe in yourself (Harry) and in the power of your dreams (JK) are things that history can teach you.
I’m a 20 years old guy, and the feeling that i’m having now [a mix with proud and saudade' (specifi brazilian term for 'missing')] it’s hard to describe. The first time I ever read the history i just had 10 years old – in other words, half time of my life – and that weird boy who had the same age as me, followed me until yesterday, when i saw the last moovie. It’s like a cicle that comming to an end and with it a lot of good memories come. Diferent from what people say, yes i learned good things with J.K.’s book. Believe in yourself (Harry) and in the power of your dreams (JK) are things that history can teach you.
I love a proud Harry fan! The Harry Potter series is fantastic; the story itself is complex, yet easy to read, and unlike anything I’ve ever read before. I’ve been reading Harry Potter since I was 11 – now I’m 23 and finally at the end of the Harry Potter journey – and I’ve never lost interest in the Harry Potter stories. I agree that Harry Potter is an amazing example of a truly genius idea brought to life by a woman who was bold enough to follow it through, even with kids to support. There will always be critics who try to put the success of the series down to marketing alone, those who feel that the popularity of the books make the series inherently unworthy from a literary perspective. But the stories transcend age, gender, race, and got a whole generation of kids who were learning to use the internet and play video games to actually read books. And you can be on a train and see a 9 year old, a teenager, someone in their 30s and an old lady all reading Harry Potter. Plus, who had ever seen people queuing down the street at 5 in the morning for a book, until Harry Potter? That’s a powerful idea.
Absolute fan of Harry Potter. And so are my two boys. At 14 and 11 they enjoy reading the series as much as hearing them as bedtime stories. We’ll certainly be at the movies when the latest arrives in Mauritius. As for the no money part, when you work on our territory you quickly learn to explode ideas with small budgets. We even thought of inventing a new category for award ceremonies, instead of the ‘low budget’ category, we want to add the ‘no budget’ category! Somehow small budgets seem to inspire great ideas, pushes us to the limits of ourselves…
and there you have it!!!!!!
As a college undergraduate and a huge fan of the Harry Potter series, I was extremely surprised and delighted to read this post.