Comments on: Can’t-Miss Inspiration from J.K. Rowling

By: Mindful Mimi

Mindful Mimi — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:18:11 +0000

Thanks for sharing Christine.
And Fivecats: I am happy to hear you came out of a very difficult situation and you and your family are well. It looks like you still carry a grudge though (maybe to the US government ? which doesn’t support unemployment or health care when the going get tough like governments do in Europe). I think we all live through our own failures which we classify as more or less hard to take and which other people might consider a piece of cake. I think you learned from it. And I do believe in the saying that everything happens for a reason. I am sure you know what it is or that you will find that reason and thus your peace with it. Good luck.

By: Northstar

Northstar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:49:05 +0000

Ok, I went back and I read the speech and now I can see better that she was talking about her journey in life in “non-spiritual” terms. Perhaps she was sensative to her audience? I think I jumped to conclusions and spoke too quickly because I am sensative about deception in our culture today. I have read that she is a member of the Church of Scotland and in the past I had heard she was an atheist…ugh. Again, I think I just spoke too quickly…sorry! I recant and have posted her speech on my blog for others to hear.

By: fivecats

fivecats — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:39:06 +0000

colin –

thanks, but i’m anything but a hero. while i hadn’t hit rock bottom i was seeing more than occasional glimpses of it. the first time was hard enough (http://fivecats.livejournal.com/117702.html); if i were to have to go through it a second time i’m not sure what the outcome would be.

and, no, lessons in adversity don’t always end prettily at all. (luckily, though, they do end)

…

By: Sue

Sue — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:05:05 +0000

Thank you Christine and Amylia! I will watch this again and again. Her humor, candor, humility and incredible ability to use words are a gift to all of us. This was great timing. Thank you thank you

By: Elsa

Elsa — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:55:27 +0000

THANK YOU Christine for posting this jewel from the heart of JK Rowling on your own page of pearls, and to Amylia for sending it. You are both such inspiring souls and it is clear you’re committed to living your truth as fully and richly as possible, and sharing so wonderously as well. I have put you on my page, and I know the little circle of readers I have will be as inspired as I continue to be. )

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:16:36 +0000

Fivecats…you’re a hero in my book for hanging in, brother. Sure, there is a lesson in all adversity, but it doesn’t always end pretty, does it? God bless.

By: Connie

Connie — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:45:42 +0000

I too enjoyed the speech and was quite surprised at some of the reported comments from some of the graduating intellectual snobs. A report on NPR had interviews with a few who believed they were “entitled” to better speakers — after all, they were graduating from Harvard! Very sad indeed — them and their sense of entitlement.

By: Northstar

Northstar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:10:47 +0000

I think that Rowling has a good point, make your life count, but misses the mark when she says the “rock bottom” was the foundation upon which she built her life. She was not on rock bottom. She has not hit that yet. Perhaps, she can not IMAGINE what rock bottom really is! I think faith is a better foundation upon which to build your house. And if you want to change the world, the truth is more powerful than fiction. Imagination is a cheap substitute for faith. But the devil is always doing that, it is his specialty…

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:46:48 +0000

Thanks, Christine, for posting this wonderful speech. Thanks, Amylia, for sending it to Christine! I showed it to my speech class yesterday — a great example of a moving talk from someone who’s not a “natural” public speaker.

By: pati

pati — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:48:46 +0000

Thank you. I had to focus on several personal and work projects when the books were coming out and never had a chance to read them. They’re on my reading list now! I sent the link to several people going through hard times — it was very touching.