If We Were Wizards

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

In the Harry Potter series many characters judge others by good or bad blood (pure-bloods, half-bloods, and mud-bloods). Other, well-developed and imaginative characters define themselves by their magical abilities or financial situations. Professor Dumbledore reminds us that who we are and the direction of our lives does not depend on our past, the amount of money we make, our parents, our ability to sing, our mental capacity to learn, our looks, or our athletic ability. Rather, it is our choices, whether large or small, that determines our character, personality, and the satisfaction we derive from life.

Now that is what I call a value lesson learned from a famous professor! 

I loved the Harry Potter books and movies – the creativity, the imagination, the cleverness, the character development, the fantasy, the charm, and the many lessons learned.

I have five favorite lessons from the phenom of the wizardry world of Harry Potter.

1. Decisions and Consequences

The good Harry and evil Voldemort are both extraordinary wizards. But their respective life paths are not determined by their skills and capabilities as wizards, but by the choices they make along the way. From his first day at Hogwarts, it is made clear by the Sorting Hat that Harry could be a successful Slytherin, should he so choose.
      
“You could be great, you know, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that.”
       -Sorting Hat

However, Harry’s heart is set on Gryffindor.  This choice is just one of many occasions in which the series star takes a different path from the one chosen by his adversary.

Yes, there are many pressures on all of us, but it is ultimately our own choice to pave the way to our success. It is the choices we make and more importantly, the awareness of consequences, that builds our character and virtue.  And, character and virtue are not determined by ability, but by choices.

2. Team Effort

Throughout the saga, Harry often feels as though he must face his destiny alone, only to learn over and over that his friends and colleagues are invaluable. One sequence in the first film proves this better than any other, with Ron and Hermione using their chess-playing skills and keen sense of logic to open the path for Harry to retrieve the Philosopher’s Stone.

We all, at times, feel we are on our own. Working in healthcare is stressful. Protocols, guidelines, regulations, technology, constant change and patient needs are constant pressure. But, we are not alone. Our teams are there to help because sometimes you can’t make it on your own.

“Ah, Harry, how often this happens, even between the best of friends! Each of us believes that what he has to say is much more important than anything the other might have to contribute."
       -Albus Dumbledore

3. Take on the Troll

Harry and Ron have been bickering with Hermione, only to patch things up when they band together to outwit a troll.  As Rowling puts it, “there are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.”

Moral of this mini story...take on a huge project with others and at the end you will conquer both your project and your working relationships. There’s no better way of bonding than taking on a massive troll and succeeding.

4. Self-Confidence is the Crux to Your Success

Throughout the films, confidence is presented as a key component of magical proficiency. Hermione is an excellent witch because not only does she study hard, but she believes in herself. Neville Longbottom is initially very down on himself, and as a consequence is a hopeless wizard. However, as he grows older and begins to believe in himself, he matures into one of the most important figures in the battle against evil.

You can achieve anything with self-belief.

5. An invisibility cloak really would be brilliant!

Enough said!
Health Care Education: If We Were Wizards.
“It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
      -Albus Dumbledore