the unsung hero in Harry Potter

Chance across this article written by Emily Asher-Perrin http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/11/neville-longbottom-is-the-most-important-person-in-harry-potter and I don't think many people can put it better than her


"In the final hour, Neville is given a chance to make the same cowardly choice that Peter did, to join Voldemort’s forces and go the easy route. And instead he pulls Godric Gryffindor’s sword out of a burning Sorting Hat and destroys the final horcrux by slicing off Nagini’s head. It couldn’t be more clear than it is in that moment; Harry needs Neville in order to end this war just as much as he needs Ron and Hermione, the same way that his parents needed Peter. And it is true that Harry is a much better friend to Neville than his father might have been to Peter, but at the end of the day, that’s still down to Neville—down to a boy who demanded respect from his friends right from the start, no matter how small or unremarkable he felt. Who had the gumption to do what he knew was right, not when it was hard but because it was hard.

That distinction makes Neville Longbottom the truest of Gryffindors and a surprising balancing point of the entire Harry Potter narrative. Who Peter Pettigrew might have been had he understood that courage wasn’t about blind action, but about doing what was needed even if no one ever asked. In a world of leaders and followers, there are some who don’t attempt to fit either mold, and it is those distinct few who really determine the future of us all. That is what Neville Longbottom can teach us.

I especially like the last two sentences, which is really a good reflection of the world as it is. So many don't want to take up the roles of leaders to make a difference because it is hard work, and yet, a lot of the same people refuse to be followers to contribute to a cause. They will be happily sitting in one corner criticizing everything about the direction and efforts of leaders and yet, refuse to do anything more than be a negative spirit, out to tear people down, and never wanting to make an effort to build people up, only have thoughts for no one else but themselves.

being scared

"Doesn't being scared let you know you are on to something important" 
"If your not scared, then you are not taking a chance. And if you are not scared, then what the hell are you doing?"

- HIMYM

only one way to do it..

there are times in life where you want to take an action to do something, with the hope of getting something that your heart desires. more often than not, one has many ways to carry out the actions. you might choose to do it like most people in the world will do, it is usually the easiest way. you may or may not achieve the ending you hope, but very often, it is not God's way. or you can do it God's way, very often is the hardest, very often you have to sacrifice something, but deep inside, you know it is the only way you want to do it, no matter how much easier all other ways are.

I can choose to do it the world way. it is very easy, especially with modern technology. I may or may not achieve the short term outcome, but I know in the long run, it is not an outcome I want. I can wreck my brain and try to picture what each outcome is like, lose sleep over it, but whatever scenario I can come up with, I wont know for sure which one will definitely happen. on the other hand, God has provided another way, to do it His way. Many things I can lose by using His method, higher probability that it will fail. But at the end of the day, if it fails using His method, I know in the long run, it's a good thing it failed cause I wont like the outcome. It's funny how using what seem to be the harder way can make the picture so clear and so simple.