This past week has seen the passing of many great stars within the Hollywood community, but there is one that hit close to home for me. The passing of Alan Rickman was sudden and hit hard. It has been an intense few days of trying to understand that Snape will no longer be around at the Harry Potter convention at Universal, or that we will never again see this amazing acting that Rickman has come to be known for. However, Rickman's performances as Snape will not be the only thing left behind. His quotes are easily as special as the man himself.

1. "Talent is an accident of genes - and a responsibility."

Talent of any sort is a responsibility. It you are great at science or math, then you should use it to help people. If you are fantastic at writing, then use it to change the world. If your calling is acting, then use it to inspire and send a message. Great talents lead to great responsibility. If you use them against the greater good, such as hate speech, who are you helping? No one. Talent is knowing the true power you have, and using it to help the world around you.

2. "I do take my work seriously and the way to do that is not to take yourself too seriously."

Everyone needs to remember this. By taking yourself too seriously, you are just going to stress yourself out trying to make everyone happy and make them like you. You’ll become uptight and snappish. It isn’t worth it. You’ll make yourself happier by just being you and laughing at your mistakes and the haters.

3. "If people want to know who I am, it is all in the work."

As a writer, I feel this at a personal level. If anyone has any questions about who I am they just need to look at what I write and how I write. I’m a sarcastic person, with an issue of not being able to tell where boundaries are, and I am over baring. That is me, take it or leave it, choice is up to you.

4. "I don't think it's right that everybody knows everything about me."

It wasn’t common knowledge that Rickman had cancer, because he didn't want to make a situation worse than it already was. The same way it shouldn’t be common knowledge every time your friends and you get into a fight or have a family issue. Everybody should not know everything about you. Only the closest of friends should, because they earned that trust.

5. "I want to swim in both directions at once. Desire success, court failure."

This one is a simple one. Understand that you will fail, but it will lead to something amazing at the end. Don’t get dragged down by either of them though. Your ego doesn’t need to be huge, but you also don't have to give up hope.

Snape was a massive part of my childhood. He taught me that what is right, may not always be easy. Sometimes you have to have to do what hurts you rather than what makes you happy, and may not even get credit until years later. Most important people are not always as they appear. They have a reason they are showing you a certain side.

Now as I view similar tribute posts and research more on this actor I realize that Rickman wasn't joking when he said he put himself in his work. These two men will never be forgotten, because I have become a better, more understanding person because of them. I wasn't the only one either. Outside the potions room door at the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter at Universal there are now multiple lilies outside the door. All because one fan left one behind.

Rest in peace Alan, and know that your messages will be living on for many years and change many more lives.