To all who posted comments and sent me emails regarding the last TLT article, “Our BS Steers Us Away from Seeking Truth”: Thank You. I appreciate knowing the support that exists for those who are open to learning and growing, while still acknowledging their own BS. 
One friend, who I sometimes communicate with via quotes, made the following comment regarding the ‘BS’ article: “Once you know what you believe, you can begin to question if it is true.” ~ Geneen Roth. (Ah, nice one Nancy, and very appropriate.) To which I responded, “Do not think of knocking out another person’s brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago.” ~ Horace Mann
Tonight, as I finished reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5) to my boys, I was reminded of a belief I had ten years ago, that was indeed, different from a belief I hold today. My belief was that the Harry Potter series wasn’t suitable literature to read to kids. I held an ignorant notion that it was all about children performing spells on adults. That it was about witches, wizards, dark stuff, foolish stuff. I say ignorant, because I never took the time to ask others, to read reviews, to research. I never took the time to seek. I simply had a belief.
How delighted I am that I opened myself up to what is. What is, are books that are very well written about two topics I find extremely important in the development of character (I’m talking about a person’s character, not a character in a book). These two topics are Love and Loyalty. The love and loyalty that the main characters display for one another is unmistakable. And a more subtle loyalty, the loyalty to Self, is demonstrated time and time again when Harry, landing at various crossroads, chooses to do the right thing, even when it’s the more arduous choice.
These books are so well written and involve such depth of character, I easily find myself reading out loud for an hour at a time, my boys closely following the plot, eager for more. And these are not tiny books that hold their attention so easily. The one we finished tonight was 870 pages; I believe the last two are even longer. Yet my boys stick with them, pointing out the love and loyalty each time they notice it.
Had I not opened myself up to what is (what I believe to be ‘what is’), about this series, I would have missed out on numerous opportunities to share and discuss explicit examples of Love and Loyalty with my boys. I would have missed out on great vocabulary building opportunities with them; J.K. Rowling doesn’t dummy-down these books. Sure, I could have found other literature with wonderful examples of love, loyalty, and challenging vocabulary, but for me, I would have missed out on an opportunity to learn from my own closed belief.
Can you think of any examples where your beliefs differ from yourself ten years ago? Would you be willing to post and share, hopefully giving others an opportunity to learn and grow with you?
In closing, I leave you with some of my favorite quotes from the Harry Potter series:
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that.” ~ Albus Dumbledore (used in blog article “Dreaming. Living. Reality.”)
“It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” ~ Albus Dumbledore
Sirius Black tells Ron, “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”
“No good sittin’ worryin’ abou’ it,” said Hagrid. “What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does.”
“Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.” ~ Albus Dumbledore
“Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.” ~ Albus Dumbledore
If you liked this article, please click on the ‘Share’ button. Thank you!!