What You Can Learn From Harry Potter

I’ve spent the past three days watching Harry Potter 1-7 and I’ve realized there’s a lot to learn from those movies. I don’t have time to go into all of it since I have homework due in a hour but there’s one thing I’ve been thinking about specifically. I made this blog to remind myself of all the things I have to be happy about. From now on every time something sems like the end of the world all you have to say to yourself is “at least I’m not Harry Potter”. Think about it, honestly. He grew up with his aunt, uncle and cousin all of who hate his guts. He was kept in the dark about his parents’ death only to find out that they were murdered. He faced Voldemort multiple times, nearly dying each time. When he was 14 he watched Cedric die, 15 he watched Sirius, his godfather, die, 16 he watched Dumbledore murdered by his own teacher and at 17 not only did he have to lead an army against the Dark Lord himself he watched his dear friend Dobby the house elf die. I don’t honestly think any of our lives could be that much worse than Harry Potter’s who had the constant threat of death hanging over his head everywhere he went. That’s all I have for tonight. Don’t be sad, remember Harry Potter.

Catherine

Learning From Loss

Yesterday I found out that the son of a close family friend passes away. He was only 25. I just turned 20 a few days ago and I realize he wasn’t much older than me. It used to be that I couldn’t wait to get older and since grandparents and parents started to die around me the fear of death shocked me into wanting to stay a kid forever. But now I understand that death doesn’t wait until you’re older to strike you, nor does it ever seem to have meaning. I could keep living everyday fearing that it could be my last or I could take a different approach. Yesterday, as I questioned the fates, I felt like I came to a new understanding. There’s no reason to behave like death is just around the corner. Nor is there any reason to “live it up” without regard for your actions and how they will affect you later in life. No one can ever predict when exactly they will de, so why should we have to choose one of two extremes to live by? I realized yesterday that there’s only one way to live. And that’s happily. If you go to bed each night happy, proud of your existence, and not only prepared for, but looking forward to the next day then you are doing it right. There’s no reason to fear what cannot be seen, to dread what cannot be foretold, to let the idea that today could very well be your last day on earth overshadow the fact that today you are still alive. If the way you live makes you happy then don’t let anyone tell you differently.

And now I’ll tell you what I’m grateful for today:
I’m grateful that I am still alive, still healthy and that I am on my way back to happiness. I’m grateful that my family is only a phonecall away and that I have many support systems in my life. I would be in a much worse place were it not for all those people in my life who stand by me in this, a time of loss and sorrow. They bring happiness to my life and love to my heart. For that, I am very grateful.

If there is anyone out there inspired to make a change I have one piece of advice, do it now. And always feel free to let
me know how it goes. Get happy all and have a good Friday.

Catherine

Circle of Life

Here’s how it is:
I spend too much time wallowing, full of self pity and guilt. I waste too many hours being sad about things I cannot control instead of being happy about the things I can. So right now I’m making a pact with myself to write on this blog everyday about the things in my life to be happy about. And maybe I can make someone else out there realize that there’s more to life than self pity and you will never run out of things to be grateful for.

Today, I am grateful for the fact that my girlfriend’s family loves me nearly as much as she does. Without them I don’t think I would have been able to stay in Cedar Rapids as long as I have. They have been there for me when I needed support and guidance and take care of me like I am officially part of the family. I will always be happy when I think about how good they treat me and how generous they are. That it was I am grateful for today and I hope everyone can find something to be grateful for as well.