Harry Potter Star Responsible With Money

If you are living under a rock you may not know that the latest Harry Potter movie came out. One more time hoards of wizards and muggles are rushing to theaters to see the latest adventures of one Harry Potter. This is the seventh movie with one more to go. The Harry Potter film franchise is the highest grossing film series of all time when not adjusted for inflation, with well over 5 billion dollars in worldwide receipts. It has made stars out of the 3 main characters. These 3 young people have had fame and fortune cast upon them. Ten years ago they were penniless, now they are millionaires.

Young stars with instant fame and fortune have usually gone down the wrong path. Some have crashed and burned like Lindsay Lohan and Brittany Spears. They've gotten into drugs and alcohol.

But here is a young woman who has managed to stay away from all that nonsense. It's "Harry Potter" star Emma Watson. This 20 year old actress, through all her fame, has chosen another way. Her fame has made her a millionaire many times over. Money hasn't changed her. She remarked "By the third or fourth film, the money was starting to get .... serious. I had no idea. I felt sick, very emotional. It was a real shock". Her fortune is estimated to be around $32 million dollars.

Currently she is a student at Brown University in the United States. She is doing some acting and voice over work at this time.

What makes one person go over the edge and another remain completely grounded? We are all exposed to the same temptations of life. Yet one young woman is managing it, while the other is dreadfully failing.

One theory is money makes you more of what you already are. If your a jerk, money will make you a major jerk. If you tend to a life of debauchery, money will only magnify that. If your are a kind hearted person, you will only be more of that.

The tip off I got from Emma Watson's comment was her physical reaction to learning how much money she did have. I am assuming it probably was her parents who told her, because they are managing it. And because they didn't tell her before, I believe they are caring parents that didn't want it to go to her head. The result was disciplined parents producing a level headed child. A lesson for all of us. This actress is going places.

Happy Thanksgiving To All

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Today we give thanks to God for all our gifts we receive. We take a moment to say a prayer and reflect  on all the things we have. Whether it is our family's, our health or what we have. Today is a day of gratitude. 


The original Thanksgiving was first observed by the pilgrims long ago in 1621. The tradition was eventually permanently established by the highest office by President George Washington in 1789. The following proclamation by President Washington was signed October 3,1789 and entitled "General Thanksgiving"

"WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.:"

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wife, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine."

(signed) G. Washington

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I would like to wish a happy and healthy Thanksgiving to all. I will be spending my thanksgiving at home with my wonderful wife and children. My best to you. God Bless. Happy Thanksgiving.