Becoming Ginny Weasley: Hopeful despite Umbridge #MNBHP

Good catch,” Harry told Ginny back in the common room, where the atmosphere closely resembled that of a particularly dismal funeral.

“I was lucky,” she shrugged. “It wasn’t a very fast Snitch and Summerby’s got a cold, he sneezed and closed his eyes at exactly the wrong moment. Anyway, once you’re back on the team —”

“Ginny, I’ve got a lifelong ban.”

“You’re banned as long as Umbridge is in the school,” Ginny corrected him. “There’s a difference. Anyway, once you’re back, I think I’ll try out for Chaser. Angelina and Alicia are both leaving next year and I prefer goal-scoring to Seeking anyway.”

OotP

Life is pretty dismal for Harry throughout most of his fifth-year. Even his first date crashes and burns in a downpour of confetti and tears. So, when Umbridge declares she has banned Harry from Quidditch for life, he believes it. He can’t see past the cloud that has been following him around all year raining on every feeble spark of joy. He can’t see, as Ginny does, that just because things are bad now, doesn’t mean they will be bad forever. Ginny has hope despite Umbridge’s dementor-like attempt to drain the school of all joy.

Not that I ever do this (insert wry grin), but I’ve noticed people have a tendency to exaggerate their problems. One bad thing happens and they throw themselves on the ground in a dramatic declaration that life, as they know it, is over. Okay, so I’ve done this my fair share. But I’m still here. Life is not over. There is hope despite the Umbridge-sized disasters I have found myself in. I have joy even though he didn’t ask me to prom. Even though I didn’t get into that college. Even though I didn’t get that career opportunity—working at MuggleNet is better anyway. 😉

My point: Not every “bad” thing that happens is really all that bad. Bad is not having a roof over your head. Bad is living in a garbage dump like many kids in India do. Bad is being kidnapped and sold into slavery like many young women are every day. That is bad. These small annoyances that make us think our lives are over aren’t bad. They are usually very good. All those dates and relationships that fell apart led me to my husband. That college that turned me down led me to lifelong friends at the college that accepted me. And all those “dream” jobs or opportunities I didn’t get opened up the door for me to write for MuggleNet.

CHALLENGE

See, life isn’t so hopeless. It is all in the way you look at it. I want to look at life like Ginny, who sees straight through Umbridge to the silver linings that lay ahead. The challenge is to step out from under that cloud. Get up from that temper tantrum. And have hope!

Next Week: Becoming Albus Dumbledore: Flawed in the best of ways