As of this week's lesson, we have
defined the difference between willpower and focus. The metaphor used in
the lecture is actually quite helpful as to imagine that there is a
major difference, namely

If focus determines where the water in a hose goes, willpower is the amount of water being forced through the hose.

We
learned that trying to apply too much magic without practising before
will make us have a "wicked headache". This description doesn't seem to
embrace the headache it caused, I never want to try that again! Hence,
practice. Yay. It would be too great if something just worked easily
without having to practice too much. To bad that learning magic requires
as much effort as learning anything else. I mean to say, it's magic! It
could be easier. But no... that would be way too easy.

The
idea behind practicing willpower is focussing on but the one object for
a full minute. I never realised how long a minute can be! I mean to
say, I've been practicing meditation to learn how to focus on an object,
and this was a pain already. But to keep thinking about just one thing
for such a long time... well, it is getting easier the more I practice,
but I haven't managed to keep any stray thoughts away for much longer
than 49 seconds. But at least it's a start!

We are to practice our willpower using the Levitation Charm. I must admit, Incendio would me more fun for sure. But I do understand that it's too dangerous to play with fire - but it would be fun! Maybe I'll sneak away and practice it somewhere safe. Well, levitation charms. Wingardium Leviosa.
Wing-GAR-dee-um lehvee-O-sa. Swish and flick. It's great to see how
easy it is now to lift a feather! I mean to say, only a few weeks ago it
seemed to be an almost impossible task, and now it works without many
problems! I must admit that I practiced quite a lot though, gradually
moving on to some heavier objects. My best result up to now was making a
book fly. It wasn't flying steadily, and I couldn't hold it in the air
for a very long time, but at least it was a book! If I keep practicing, I
will manage to make my trunk fly in my room at home. I will keep
practicing until this works! In class, levitating the textbook actually
worked, and it seemed to levitate with almost no quiver. I was sure that
I would be ready to move on to something heavier now.

During
class time, I sticked with levitating books. Whenever I had some spare
time however I couldn't stop thinking as to what I could use as a
heavier object that isn't too heavy. Finally, I decided on my chair. It
seemed to be relatively light, at least in comparison to the other
things I found in my dorm. Apparently it was too heavy though. It didn't
move an inch. I did visualise the floating chair properly though.
Pushing even more will behind my wishes - I have always been told that I
tend to be quite headstrong - I tried again, only to wish for some
aspirin. Damn.

I'll have to think of something else, that's for sure.