Writers have all sorts of rituals. Thanks to my formative years, mine now include inventing my very own private morning assembly.
On this first day of fall, I’m on my feet, cheering wildly from the mess that is my home office.
The coffee will have to wait.
I’ve already found my Monday morning goodwill. Go Emma Go!
In high school, my days started with morning assembly, known simply as Prayers. Our principal spoke briefly to the community of staff and students, all present and sitting either on the floor of a great hall, or along the sides. There was usually music as we filed in and out, and always a series of announcements, or if we were lucky, skits about upcoming events.
It was hardly my favourite part of the school day but the first thing I missed when I left the place.
At summer camp, we gathered for flag raising and the reciting of a salutation to the dawn.
Starting your day with brief reflections and ideas about broader purpose is addictive and a total stress buster.
This morning, inspiration came knocking, in the trembling and formidable presence of a recent Brown University graduate, a history major, who once dreamed of being a renaissance woman.
Emma Watson has surpassed that early dream and then some, as she launches the new HeForShe campaign. Hermione has grown up, left the wand at home, and brought instead some handy tools: passion and poise.
This is how you deliver a speech.
Assembly over. Go change the world.
But first, coffee…
For more on gender roles, read What does it take to be a good man? or Free to be for a new generation
4 Comments
Loved her speech and made me re think the ‘f’ word. Finally a celebrity girl of that age for our girls to look up to.
Is it shallow to say I LOVE her dress?
I realize now I subconsciously used the word trembling in my post after you had- always getting inspiration from you, Annie, even when I am not aware of it! Love your blog!!!
Not shallow at all. I love her dress too!
She did that without notes. Fantastic.
That’s because she clearly believes what she’s saying. I agree. Fantastic indeed.