After writing that last ‘update’ I realized that most of the things I have learned about life I can trace back to Harry Potter. How weird must that be to know that what you have written impacts the way people choose to live their lives. I think it is just a theme of life that we seek to overcome struggle and do great things in the face of adversity. She has such a simplistic way of talking about huge things. All of which come through Dumbledore.
Life- “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” This is a lesson I could stand to learn a bit better, and practice in my daily life.
Growth - “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” “You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.” Both of these remind us that everyday we chose who we are, we aren’t born into anything other than our own ambitions.
Death-“To the well organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” I aspire to be this wise before I die.
Trust/love -“I am not worried, Harry,” said Dumbledore, his voice a little stronger despite the freezing water. “I am with you.” Until recently I never quite could grasp the full meaning of this. To be with someone and have no fear, no worry, complete trust even when vulnerable. It is an amazing feeling that I think we only find once in life.
Fear - “It’s the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more.” I believe this. That’s all there really is to say.
Fallibility- “In fact, being - forgive me - rather cleverer than most men, my mistakes tend to be correspondingly huger.” This makes me smile everytime I read it. It is so true of society that those who can make bigger mistakes are judged more harshly for them when we wouldn’t expect perfection from even ourselves.
“Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love. By returning, you may ensure that fewer souls are maimed, fewer families are torn apart. If that seems to you a worthy goal, then we say good-bye for the present.”
