Harry: Not Slytherin. Not Slytherin.
Sorting Hat: Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know. It's all here in your head. And Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, there's no doubt about that. No?
Choices...sometimes difficult to make, other times it's very clear what you want. However, some decisions lead to what I call The Sorting Hat Effect. Recently in our house it's been discussed that my roommate's favorite color isn't actually pink or green but is in fact red because of the coloring of clothing she picks and the cuteness level to her of most things red. If this were the case, then my favorite color would switch from green back to blue. I disagree that this is how favorite colors are discovered.
For Mr. Potter in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, once the Sorting Hat is placed on his head, it has the inclination to place him in Slytherin. Personally, I think the Hat was just messing with him to see his reaction. But Rowling is a genius in that she created that pivotal moment proving that "It's choice - not chance - that determines your destiny" (Jean Nidetch). This also connects later when Harry relates this story to reassure his son.
If you'll follow me just a bit longer, The Sorting Hat Effect is then applicable to many of our choices. It is not chance that determines my favorite color. Yes, it seems destined that if I always head for blue clothing then blue is my favorite color. However, I've chosen green and therein lies the destiny of my favorite color! It is my choice. So if the Sorting Hat were sitting on my head right now, it would declare for the world that my favorite color is in fact green!
Harry: Please, please. Anything but Slytherin, anything but Slytherin.
Sorting Hat: Well if you're sure, better be... GRYFFINDOR!
