“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” -Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
You are always able to choose your reactions, choose your happiness, choose your friends, and choose your life to a certain extent. This surpasses the skill set we are given or have learned. Our identity is formed around who we choose to be. It’s up to you to choose wisely.
"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" -Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows
Dare to dream. You create your own reality. Your imagined realities can become your life. Don’t let anyone tell you what’s in your head isn’t real. You determine that.
“It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.” -Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
I believe being a good friend is always telling someone the truth – even when it’s hard. Even if it comes with the price of losing the friendship, because I’ve been there, too. Be your brave, badass self with no apologies. If they are a true friend, they’ll understand your intentions and would do the same for you.
“What’s coming will come, and we’ll meet it when it does.” -Hagrid, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
Don’t worry about tomorrow - tomorrow can deal with itself. Why do we stress so much about things to come? Take it from Hagrid! There is no avoiding tomorrow, and you cannot change its outcome. Focus your attention on today’s moments, and then let tomorrow come what may.
“I am what I am, an’ I’m not ashamed. ‘Never be ashamed,’ my ol’ dad used ter say, ‘there’s some who’ll hold it against you, but they’re not worth botherin’ with.” -Hagrid, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
The world is constantly pressuring you to conform to man-made standards. Make your own standards. Be who you want to be, and don’t apologize for that. Anyone who tells you that you need to be something else is not a friend.
“You sort of start thinking anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” -Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Preach, Ginny. She gets it. Skill can get you a lot of places, but sheer boldness will get you places you only dreamed of. Have the courage to ask for what you want, sometimes all it takes is asking.
“We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are.” -Sirius Black, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
This is a cruel world. Will you choose to add to the darkness, or will you choose to be the light? We each have our struggles and have our dark places. There are no exceptions to that. But we are always given a choice on what we focus on. There are no excuses. Your choice – be the light or retreat to the dark.
“Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.” -Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
This just gives me all the feels. I want to be someone who is seeking adventure and chasing it into the night. Dumbledore, you wise, eloquent, beautiful man, you.
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times. If one only remembers to turn on the light.” -Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Do we see a theme here or what?! Even in your deepest struggle, there is hope. In the darkest tunnel, there is an end in sight. In the darkest of nights, the sun will still eventually rise. There is always hope to be found - you just need to choose to see it.
“Always.” -Severus Snape, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
There is something tragically mesmerizing about an undying love. In this series, love abounds in every type of relationship – with parents, professors, friends, and even magical creatures. I want an “always” kind of love, and I won’t settle for anything less. The world needs more love like that.
