We are a generation of young adults who have grown up in a society that is dependent on television, media, and movies to help teach us all kinds of life lessons. From watching "Sesame Street" as a child and learning about sharing and personal hygiene, to watching reality television shows like Jersey Shore and learning how NOT to act when we grow up, our lives have been influenced immensely from the media. There is one thing that has helped my grow into the person that I am today - "Harry Potter."

Anyone who knows me can hardly fathom the fact that I can sit and watch one of the movies and know every single word, and that I have read every book three times each (and no, I am not in any way ashamed of that). But the way I see it, why would you not want to learn and know everything about something so influential and inspiring?

You might say, "you do know that it's just a fictional, magical world that a middle-aged woman made up, right?" Yes, I do. I said I was a Potter-head, not delusional. Regardless, anyone who has seen the movies or read the books knows what I mean when I say that the "Harry Potter" series has helped shape our generation into who we are today in many, many ways.

1. Harry Potter taught us what friendship is

From the very beginning of the series, we've learned what friendship truly means. There were so many times where Ron, Hermione, and Harry were faced with different obstacles that would have easily made anyone else run away without hesitation. But they relied on each other and showed us what it means to be always be there for someone you care about, even when "He Who Shall Not Be Named" is trying to kill you every chance he gets.

I'm sure that there were multiple occasions when Harry was laying on the couch in the Gryffindor common room contemplating if he should just run away and not have to face any of his problems. Harry, and all the other characters' perseverance in never backing down to the obstacles thrown in front of them helped teach us that, you know what, life happens. Things don't go your way and you might just have to fight off giant spiders who are trying to eat you. Even so, giving up isn't an option and no matter how hard things get, there's a light at the end of the tunnel; if you use the "lumos" spell, of course.

3. Harry Potter taught us to make the most out of everything, even when you have nothing

Harry's family was murdered when he was a baby. He grew up not knowing anything about them, or himself until Hagrid so lightly put it, "You're a wizard, Harry!" He made something of himself regardless of his past and was able to find a group of people who were there by his side every step of the way. Oh, and the Weasley's. For Lord Voldemort's sake, those people are the happiest, most loving and supportive family I have ever seen and they have literally nothing. The series has also shown us you don't need money or fancy brooms to be happy. You just need to live the life you love, and love the life you live.

4. Harry Potter showed us what it's like to lose someone

We all know the story. He was the boy who lived, his parents were killed, blah blah blah. Well no, no "blah's". That sucks. We see throughout the entire series that losing his family has a huge impact on every decision Harry makes. It also makes us realize what it would be like if that were us, if we were to lose someone we cared for and loved. Like every Potter-head, I grew to love Dumbledore, Fred, Cedric and Snape, and when they all died a little part of me died, too. (Sorry, total spoiler alert there but if you haven't seen the movies or read the books, that's your own fault). I couldn't imagine losing my family and friends, and Harry Potter showed me what it would feel like to.

5. Harry Potter showed us what it's like to love unconditionally

We see it the entire series. The way everyone cares for each other is absolutely magical (see what I did there?). Every scene, every word on each page in each book; anyone can tell that the love they all have for one another is unconditional. The entire school and wizardry community comes together to support one person. ONE BOY. Why? Because they freakin' love him. Sometimes in life I think we get too caught up in despising this person, or getting revenge on that person. Instead, we should take a step back and realize that the only thing that really matters is being there for someone unconditionally and it really doesn't matter if they've done anything for you. This aspect of the series has helped us to understand what that kind of love is like, and its an amazing thing.

Even if you've never seen the series, these points basically sum up what you can get out of it. I couldn't imagine not growing up without the Harry Potter series, and I'm glad it's helped shape me into who I am today. So finally, in the wise words of the great Albus Dumbledore, "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one remembers to turn on the light." Thanks, D. Lumos.