Sorry Potter fans, I’ve been a little bogged down with memos, readings, and more. But I am working to alleviate some of my stresses so that I can give this blog its due attention again. But wait no more… let’s jump into Chapter 7.
Chapter 7
Today’s the day, Harry’s hearing at the Ministry of Magic. At breakfast, the adults in the room all try to encouraging, giving Harry advice and affirmations that everything will be okay. Soon Harry and Mr. Weasley set off for the Ministry using muggle modes of transportation (the tube manly). Of course Mr. Weasley finds this all very fascinating. They arrive at the Ministry and head towards Mr. Weasley’s office. On the elevator Harry listens to a fascinating conversation about fire-breathing chickens. Mr. Weasley gives Harry a brief overview of each floor int he Ministry before arriving to Mr. Weasley’s division. They head towards Mr. Weasley’s office only to find out that Harry’s hearing was moved and Harry needed to be there five minutes ago. They rush to the Department of Mysteries and Mr. Weasley wishes Harry good luck before Harry enters the room of the hearing alone.
What I love about this chapter is that it is simple and applies to law school very well. Growing up a military brat I learned very early on that you are never late for anything. So deadlines are something I hate to miss, like physically hate to miss, but what I am learning in law school is that deadlines are subjective. Deadlines move on a whim’s notice, deadlines can be changed at any point in time (even the day of), and deadlines seem to be whatever the person setting them want them to be. Actually, everything is subjective in law school. One person may really like your writing, one person may hate it. One person may think your resume formatting is spot on, another may completely reformat it for you.
The thing is, to be successful in this field, you have to be flexible, you have to play the game. Even if it feels like the odds are stacked against you, you have to play along. Harry had to play along. They literally moved his meeting time and place knowing he would either miss it or be late. It was part of the game, but alas there he was. While I hate living in a world where you have to kiss up to people to get anywhere, I’ve come to the realization that kissing up to people may be the only way to make it through this season of my life and that one day, when I am the boss, the supervisor, the person calling the shots I will remember the hoops I had to jump through to be successful and I will find a way to come alongside those below me and work with them to create a new path to success.
To some that may seem like I am of the “give everyone a trophy” mindset, but really I think if we stopped playing games, stopped hiding the ball, stopped causing each other to jump through hoop after hoop and actually worked together civilly, we might accomplish a lot more in this world. But, I don’t make those decisions yet… but just you wait.
Until Next Time,
Mischief Managed.
I think it’s interesting that Rowling uses these conversations this way. It’s quite brilliant actually, and it’s something we do in the legal profession all the time. We are storytellers, we paint our clients the way we want the world to see them. We weave together stories about how our clients aren’t bad people, sometimes they are just people that make mistakes. We reveal to juries or judges that our clients are people who deserve second chances, or who deserve justice for the harms done to them. We weave together stories and put together puzzles in hopes we can change lives.
Last night I spoke with someone about telling stories in your career. As law school goes on, as careers begin, we will be telling the world a story with every decision we make. Whether we choose to take risks, make plans to get to our end goal, or choose to be comfortable and stay in one place, every decision we make tells a story to others. Think about that during your day. Think about what story you want to tell others, what story you are telling others and how all of that is working out for you in the long run. It’s your legacy, it’s your life, it’s you on the line. Is your story one you want to share? Is your story working for you? Think about it this week.
So Harry stays put. He is locked in his room and not allowed to leave. He doesn’t get a letter from any of his friends or Sirius. The Durselys leave to go and receive an award for the look of their lawn. The Durselys leave and shortly after Harry hears a thud downstairs. Lo and behold a pack of wizards are infiltrating the house. They chit-chat with Harry and tell him they are there to save him from the horrors of this place. Their destination is secret, the REAL Mad-eyed Moody is taking everything super seriously and then they are off, flying high above London.
You know these past few weeks have been interesting in the law world. The clinic I am in is ramping up and student orgs are starting to shift their views to next year and man oh man, I’m tired. But you know what really has just got me really upset lately? Well, it’s a phrase that I keep hearing from people… “It’s all in your head.”
You know if people said to Harry: “Your loneliness this summer, that’s all in your head,” I’m sure he would have wanted to Avada Kedavara everyone in the room. Now that strong of an emotion mainly comes from the hormones rushing through his teenager body, but the thing is I understand it. It sucks to be told that you thinking something isn’t quite reality and then to not be offered any other evidence as to how you are perceiving it wrong. Sure, there are a million quotes out there about things being “mind over matter” but when someone expresses a feeling, don’t tell them that it is all in their head. Maybe explore it for a moment if you think how they are feeling is wrong. Validate the feeling, but then give proof as to why you think that feeling may be a little off. Don’t just offer up the “it’s all in your head” statement and then move on because it might be too damn messy to take the time to offer someone advice or assurance. Damn. And that’s just my first little rant about things lately.
The Wizarding World of Law School 