Ten Life Lessons from Harry Potter

Hi friends! It’s been a long time (over a year) since I searched through a book for some life lessons. In the post-election days, I saw several friends turning to Harry Potter for comfort. I understand why. These books and their characters feel like good friends and great teachers at the same time. They also portray a world where great evil exists but good triumphs in the end. There are too many life lessons to gain from this book to write into a single post, or even glean in a single reading. Here are ten of my favorites:

1. Choices matter. 

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

2. People are nuanced. We contain multitudes. Also (in case the previous message didn’t get through) choices matter. A lot. 

“We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we chose to act on. That’s who we really are.” Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

3. Words are powerful. 

“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic.” Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

4. Fear is dangerous. 

“What you fear most of all is– fear. Very wise.” Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

5. Worrying often isn’t helpful. (A very hard lesson I’m still trying to learn!) 

“No good sittin’ worryin’ abou’ it. What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does.” Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

6. Standing up to friends is difficult. 

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

7. There is happiness, love, and joy to experience even in incredibly difficult and sad times. 

“But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

8. Accepting people who are different is important. 

“Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.” Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 

9. Understanding your priorities is also important. 

“We could all have been killed – or worse, expelled.” Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

10. Friendship can be born from common experience and struggle. Alternatively, if you feel lonely perhaps find a mountain troll to battle. 

“There are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.” Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

BONUS LESSON: Hermione is bae. 

“Just because it’s taken you three years to notice, Ron, doesn’t mean no one else has spotted I’m a girl!” Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 

What are your favorite lessons from Harry Potter? Also, if applicable, what are you comfort reading these days? I’m definitely curious!