Muggle Musings: Life Lessons from the Wizarding World

I finally started listening to the Harry Potter books this year! I’ve always been a reader, but for some reason, I never picked them up as a kid or even in college. But better late than never, right? I’ve never been this hooked on a book series before—I can't stop listening, and I can’t stop dreaming about Hogwarts either. Honestly, though, I’d rather dream about books than just about anything else in life.

At first, I thought about writing book reviews, but so much happens in these books that I wouldn’t even know where to start without giving too much away. Instead, this week—while driving and still lost in my Harry Potter thoughts—I realized just how thoughtfully these books are written and how many great life lessons they offer along the way.

If you've read (or listened to!) these books, you might feel the same way. Here are some of the biggest lessons Harry Potter has taught me so far:

1. Love is Powerful (Seriously, It's Not Just a Cliché)

The only reason baby Harry survived He Who Must Not Be Named was because of his mother’s love. Now, you might say, “Well, that’s fiction.” And sure, maybe it is. But the idea that love can protect us—even in ways we don’t fully understand—feels real. Without love, we’re just existing.

I used to think love is powerful was just a cheesy saying, but in recent years, I’ve felt it in deep, undeniable ways. Love truly is a supreme power. So always remember to be grateful for the love you receive—and the love you give.

2. The Beauty of Friendship

Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s friendship is pure magic—literally and figuratively. In The Goblet of Fire, when Ron stops talking to Harry, Harry feels completely lost—even though he’s surrounded by people. But the moment they make up, everything feels right again. Suddenly, the challenges ahead don’t seem so impossible. With Ron back by his side, Harry feels like he can take on anything.

And then there’s Hermione—the one who always seems to have the right answer (usually found in a book). No matter what, she’s there for Harry and Ron, helping them through anything and everything. This series reminded me that true friendships are like lifelines. No matter how messy life gets, having good friends makes it all more manageable.

So if you’ve got a Ron and a Hermione in your life, hold onto them!

3. Good People Exist (Even When Life Feels Like a Disaster)

Life keeps throwing curveballs at Harry, yet he always finds kind and helpful people willing to support him. The Weasleys, Dumbledore, Hagrid, Ron, Hermione, Dobby, Professor Lupin, Sirius Black—the list goes on. At every stage of his journey, someone is there to guide him, stand by him, or offer him a helping hand.

It’s a great reminder that even in real life, no matter how tough things get, there are always good people willing to help. And thinking about it made me realize just how many amazing people have supported me along my own journey.

4. Better Days Lie Ahead

Harry’s childhood with the Dursleys was straight-up miserable. They locked him in a closet, treated him like an afterthought, and made his life downright awful. But then—Hogwarts happened.

It got me thinking—sometimes we go through rough patches (or even rough years), but better days will come. Maybe not in the form of an acceptance letter to a magical school (still waiting on mine, TBH), but in ways that remind us good days are always ahead.

5. Kindness Comes Full Circle

What you put out into the world comes back to you. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, there’s a moment when Harry helps Dobby the house-elf (no spoilers, I promise!), and later, Dobby returns the kindness in an incredibly moving way. And that’s just one example.

Harry Potter makes it crystal clear that small acts of kindness can create ripple effects far beyond what we ever expect.

6. Sometimes, You Gotta Bend the Rules

Professor Dumbledore is wise, but he’s also not afraid to tweak the rules when necessary. Whether it’s awarding last-minute House points (you know what I’m talking about) or making exceptions for the greater good, he reminds us that sometimes, life requires flexibility. Rules are important, sure, but so is knowing when to bend (or even break) them.

I know he’s a fictional character, but if we could channel even half of Dumbledore’s kindness, assertiveness, and effortless cool, that would be a major win. Lately, one thought keeps running through my mind—I aspire to be a leader like Dumbledore when I grow up! 😀

Final Thoughts

The Harry Potter books are more than just an incredible story—they’re filled with lessons about life, love, and friendship that stay with you long after you’ve finished reading (or listening). So whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering the magic like me, I hope these lessons resonate with you too.

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got more Harry Potter to listen to.

See you in the next blog post!