Growing up, "Harry Potter" was a big part of my life. I grew up along side Harry, Ron and Hermione and anxiously awaited my welcome letter from Hogwarts. While I might never have received my owl, the wizarding world still remained part of me. Yes, it was an incredibly well-written series, and a beautifully directed film series, but it also served as a set of life lessons. Harry Potter taught me as much he entertained me. Here are just a few of the things I have learned from the wizarding world.

1.Magic exists

Harry grew up in a place where any sign of specialness was suppressed by his aunt and uncle. Never in his wildest dreams would he have been able to believe that magic existed, and he was a wizard. While we might wake up to a giant bursting through our door announcing that we're a witch or wizard, there is magic all around us. It might not be in the way you think, such as making things disappear or float above your head, but it's there. It's magic when you tell someone you love them for the first time, get accepted to your top choice college, or win a championship with your team. There are some things which make you feel so good, it has to be magic.

2. Everything is not what it seems

Looks can be deceiving. Harry Potter looked like an ordinary boy, but he was so much more than that. There is so much more underneath the surface. We're taught from a young age never to judge a book by it's cover, but it really is so true. We cannot see the intricacies and quirks that make a person who they are by simply looking at a person. Judging someone based on looks is a lose-lose situation. Sometimes, you might be right, but more often than not you are wrong. Take Severus Snape for example. It certainly seemed as though he was out to get Harry and his friends, but we find out in the end that he protected Harry until his very last breath out of love for Harry's mother. If this isn't enough to make you realize there is so much more to people than what you can see, than I don't know what will.

3. Power must be handled delicately

With extreme power becomes extreme responsibility. We must be very careful who we give power to. Voldemort sought after power his whole life, and he eventually gained it. When he had power, the rest of the world suffered. There was death and destruction around the world. Having power is overwhelming and therefor should only be handled by those of strong and sound mind. With the current presidential election coming up, this is even more relevant. We must be careful of those we allow power to.

4.Money doesn't buy happiness

Take the Weasely's for example. The Weaselys were extremely poor and suffered by with the bare minimum and hand-me-downs, but they were some of the happiest people. Fred and George even opened a joke shop, bringing happiness and laughter to others. Molly Weasely may not have had much, but she certainly used all that she could to make sure that her family was comfortable. You don't need much to make people happy. Love, respect, and a positive attitude is often enough to bring joy to most.

5. You are never alone

We all have battles that need to be fought, but we never have to fight them alone. There is always a support system behind you. When Harry took the journey to defeat Voldemort, he knew it was pretty much a suicide mission. Hermione and Ron knew this as well, but they would not let him go alone. Each one of us has at least one person who would go to the end of the earth for us, without us even having to ask. Do not doubt your support system or be angry that they won't take no for an answer, be grateful for them and know they will do their best for you.

6. Don't let the bullies get you down

Harry was bullied since he was a toddler by his awful cousin Dudley, then traded him for Malfoy when he went to school, and spent most of his life going to great lengths to avoid being murdered by Voldemort. But the series isn't named after someone who let these people get the best of him. The series is named after a boy who took the tragedies of his life and all the sticks and stones that were thrown at him and learned from them, using them to make him a bigger person. This is something we all need to do. There's always gonna be someone who has something negative to say about you, but these things do not define you. The way you react to them is what defines you. Take the negativity that is thrown at you, and turn it into positivity.

7. Look at life with no fears

Boggarts are creatures that grasp onto your deepest fear and turn into that. In Harry's third year, his class faced the boggarts, and were taught to fight their fears with laughter, turning the boggart into something hilarious rather than terrifying. While we're unable to magic a pair of roller skates on a huge spider, we can fight our fears with positivity. Telling yourself that something isn't really as scary as it seems to you, will eventually lead you to completely forget about the fear at all. Tell yourself that flying isn't bad, it's actually amazing how fast you can travel now, and eventually you will override the fear with the positive thoughts.

8. Animals really are important

For Harry, Hedwig was the only thing that kept him sane during his summers on Privet Drive. Hedwig was Harry's companion and his strongest connection to the wizarding world. Unfortunately for us, owls aren't common house pets; but cats and dogs serve the same purpose. Our pets have an indescribable love for us. This love is something that brings extreme comfort and happiness to us, like how Hedwig did for Harry. Never take your pets for granted, they are our greatest gift.

9. You don't need to share blood to be family

Harry and Ron became best friends almost instantaneously, and he was accepted as a member of his family just as quickly. Harry might have lost his real parents, but the Weaselys cared for him as if he was their own. Not only did Harry have the Weaselys, he also had Sirius, Remus, Dumbledore, Dobby, and so many more looking our for him. Family is so much more than blood. Family is those we surround ourselves with, who love us and want our happiness. Blood may be thicker than water, but love is stronger than blood.

10. Never give up

I could never living in a world where I had to fight to keep myself alive and fight an evil man attempting to take over the world, and I'm sure Harry couldn't either, but somehow he was able to conquer the troubles that faced him. Harry endured so much, but he never let this stop him. He fought with all he could and eventually, with the help of his friends, was able to save the world. I'm sure none of us will be fighting evil wizards any time soon, but we need to have to strength and determination that Harry did to conquer the battles in our own lives.

To me, Harry Potter was so much more than "just a series." Many of the words of wisdom I live by are quotes from Albus Dumbledore. My morals were shaped by the lessons I learned with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. To some, it's just a book or a movie, but to me, it runs deep through my soul and made me the person I am today.