Changing Perceptions on Sight Loss in Style
So in the spirit of World Book Day, I thought I’d make a special blog on one of my favourite book series: Harry Potter. Harry Potter takes a very special place in my muggle heart and I grew up with these books lighting up my childhood. I loved the adventures, magic, fantastical creatures and whimsical settings. But, these books also taught me a lot about life and installed some valuable life lessons in me that I’ll never forget.
So today I thought I’d share 5 life lessons that Harry Potter taught me.
1.Supporting roles are just as important as main ones.
In life we often see main characters or main roles as being the more important ones. But for me, Harry Potter really changed that and made me see just how important supporting roles are. Harry may be the main guy, the top dog and the talk of the town. But, its characters like Ron with his loyalty and Hermione with her intellect who enable Harry to overcome adversity and live to tell the tale.
So many characters who come into Harry’s life have a profound impact on him and his journey through life. It’s these supporting characters and the acts of selflessness they endure that see Harry through and enable him to defeat the evil.
2. Being swotty isn’t a bad thing.
The Harry Potter books and in particular, Hermione Granger taught me that being studious isn’t something to be ashamed of. When I was growing up I was always the bookish type, more interested in books than my social life. But, I was mocked for my love of learning and putting my hand up to answer all the questions in cl ass. But, Hermione taught me that having a drive to learn and know more can be a very good thing. In fact, its Hermione’s rationality and analytical mind that saves Harry and Ron on numerous occasions.
Being a “swot” isn’t a negative thing and it should be a title you wear with pride. Study hard, put in extra when doing essays and assignments and always exercise your intellect. Like Hermione, there may be a time where you need to use it.
3. You can’t judge a person based on their background.
In the Harry Potter universe I learned that you can’t judge a person based on their family, their upbringing or what house team they are in!
Take a look at Sirius Black. Coming from a long line of dark wizards who stand opposed to muggle born Wizards you’d imagine he’d be no different. But, instead he stands as a true Gryffindor and goes to great lengths to protect the people he loves. Then look at Peter Pettigrew, a Gryffindor and seemingly loyal friend. He turns out to be one of the most treacherous characters of the entire series. In many ways, his betrayal is perhaps the worst and certainly for me stands out amongst them all.
The only way you can ever truly judge a person is by their actions.
4. People can surprise you.
Sometimes in life we think we have it all worked out. We think we know someone, we think we know good from bad and then everything changes. Severus Snape taught me that.
Severus Snape taught me that sometimes in life our assumptions of someone can be wrong. People aren’t always what they seem and sometimes the most noble of people are masterfully concealed from prying eyes.
5. Death doesn’t make us any less closer to the ones we love.
Harry Potter really was an emotional rollercoaster ride and death was a huge theme in the books. I had to grow accustomed to the idea of losing characters I loved and it happened more often than not. But, in these books I learned that death ends a life and not a relationship.
Even when a person dies, we are reminded of them with each passing day. We look for reminders of them, we remember every little detail about them and in doing so, they live on in our memories.
“You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don’t recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble? Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself plainly when you have need of him.”
Albus Dumbledore
So, there you have it! Those are the 5 things Harry Potter taught me.
What did you learn from Harry Potter? What house team are you in?
Let me know in the comments!
