Gratitude on the Way to Hogwarts

In 1995, J.K. Rowling finished her first Harry Potter book while living on welfare in Edinburgh. She had hit rock bottom, and was grateful for it. She later said,"Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life."

After 12 rejections, Bloomsbury Publishing agreed to print just 500 copies — 300 of them for libraries. That small beginning became one of the most successful book series in history.