Misadventures of the Monster Librarian

I read an interview with Kevin Costner when I was something like 15 years old, and still think about his quote, which I paraphrase here, "People in America are so afraid of failure that they don't even try."   I took this quote to heart because I was afraid of so many things at 15, and as many others are, I was so scared of missing out on the rest of my life. I've reminded myself of this quote as I've gone snorkeling--I'm scared of the ocean; as I applied for jobs I felt were outside of my reach--they were, and I didn't get the jobs, but I got the interview and the experience; as I took on the role as Library Director with minimal experience; as I opened my heart and trusted ChicagoBoy. Each day is rife with opportunities for our own personal greatness, not by achieving at everything we seek out to do, but rather for being brave enough to try. I loved this video so much. Thanks, J.K. Rowling. 

Came across this absolutely wonderful commencement speech that J.K. Rowling recently gave to the '08 grads of Harvard University. There was some good strong advice in this article that I found moving after an especially hard two weeks. The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination by J.K. Rowling President Faust, members of the Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers, members of the faculty, proud parents, and, above all, graduates, The first thing I would like to say is 'thank you.' Not only has Harvard given me an extraordinary honor, but the weeks of fear and nausea I've experienced at the thought of giving this commencement address have made me lose weight. A win-win situation! Now all I have to do is take deep breaths, squint at the red banners and fool myself into believing I am at the world's best-educated Harry Potter convention. Delivering a commencement address is a great responsibility; or so I thought until I cast my mind back ...