I was lucky enough to grow up as the Harry Potter books were being released. There were few things, if any, as exciting as getting the latest Harry Potter novel and getting lost between its pages. J. K. Rowling created many role models for us over the years, but one that cannot be denied is Professor Dumbledore. Dumbledore was a character who was genuinely able to teach lessons not just to his students in the books, but to all of the readers. Here are some of the lessons we learned from the wise wizard with a talent of teaching both wizards and muggles alike.

1. Your imagination and dreams are real.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”

2. Even our darkest days can get better with the right attitude.

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

3. You determine the type of person you become.

“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.”

4. You are responsible for your actions.

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

5. Words are powerful.

“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.

6. Love is our greatest gift.

“Do not pity the dead Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love.”

7. To face our sorrows.

“Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it.”

8. We need each other.

“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”

9. Everyone is important.

“Age is foolish and forgetful when it underestimates youth.”

10. To not get hung up on things.

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that.”

11. Not all treasure is gold and glitters.

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

12. Never give up, no matter the endeavor.

"It is important to fight and fight again, and keep fighting, for only then can evil be kept at bay though never quite eradicated."

13. To not fear death.

"To the well organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."

14. Our loved ones are by our side, always.

"You think the dead we loved truly ever leave us? You think we don't recall them more clearly in times of great trouble?"

15. Sometimes we have to stand up to our friends.

"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."

16. Our differences do not define us.

“Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.”

17. Honesty is always key.

"It is my belief that the truth is generally preferable to lies."

18. The right thing might not always be easy to do.

"We must all face the choice between what is right, and what is easy."

19. We will all mess up sometimes.

"The best of us sometimes eat our words."

20. To embrace the unknown.

"It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness. Nothing more."

21. To feel, no matter what it is, is important.

"This pain is part of being human... the fact that you can feel pain like this is your greatest strength."

22. Always keep fighting.

"We must try not to sink beneath our anguish... but battle on."

23. To face our fears.

"Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself."

24. Adventure is always waiting.

“Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.”

25. Our actions effect others, not just us.

“We can’t choose our fate, but we can choose others'. Be careful in knowing that.”

26. To be careful with the knowledge you have.

“The truth. It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution."

27. It is good to be curious, but be smart in your decisions.

"Curiosity is not a sin.... But we should exercise caution with our curiosity... yes, indeed.”