Life lessons from some of my favorite characters

Dear Readers,

Not all blog posts have to be about how to be more positive! I love writing about being positive and being more thankful but sometimes I like to take a step back and write about things that I absolutely LOVE. It gives my readers a little glimpse into me, as a real person, not just words behind a blog! So, let me tell you something about myself......

I love to read. I believe books are one of the most valuable treasures we can have.  To quote one of my favorite authors, “Reading can take you places you have never been before.” (Seuss).  I have always been surrounded by books. My parents read to me as a very young child. I learned to read on my own at a very young age. I read to my own daughters almost every night as they were growing up. I had more books on my bookshelves than the shelves actually had room for. I have always been fascinated by books and I try to instill in my own students a love for reading. I try to read aloud to them as often as I possibly can.

I’m not sure what it is about diving into a good book that really pacifies me.  I enjoyed venturing into the Hundred Acre Wood. Traveling the mighty seas with Captain Ahab. Flying in the Weasley’s car or taking the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9 3/4 to Hogwarts. Falling down the rabbit hole with Alice (and the White Rabbit). Roaming the plantation Tara. And even sitting bedside with Morrie Schwartz as he taught us many lessons on life and dying over the course of 14 Tuesdays. Books have the capability to remove you from your current location and take you anywhere you dream.

Often, when I find myself in times of trouble, I turn to a book. Nicholas Sparks can catapult me into a romance somewhere in the wonderful state of North Carolina. John Saul can torture my soul with his dark mysteries. Barbara Delinsky can show me that strong women make just as good protagonists as any man could. And Dr. Seuss can remind me of the fun that a book can bring into your life. I’ve learned many lessons from the characters on the pages of a good book (or even a not so good book).

Some of the greatest life lessons I’ve learned have been from some of my favorite characaters in some of my favorite books:

Christopher Robin (Winnie the Pooh) taught me to remember that I’m braver than I believe, and stronger than I seem, and smarter than I think.

Edmund Pevensie (Chronicles of Narnia books) taught me that it is perfectly OK to admit when you are wrong.

Holden Caufield (The Catcher in the Rye) taught me to never take life too seriously, because after all, nothing is permanent.

Jane Eyre (Jane Eyre) taught me not to care what others think of me, or say about me, to remain strong. Life can be a tragedy, but it can be a beautiful tragedy!

Johnny Cade (The Outsiders) taught me to always stay gold.

Peter Pan (Peter Pan) taught me that I can always be a kid at heart, no matter how old I become.

Hazel Grace Lancaster (The Fault in our Stars) taught me to think and feel more.

Scarlett O’Hara (Gone with the Wind) and Dorothy Gale (The Wizard of Oz) taught me that there is no place like home.

Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird) taught me what real courage is: when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.

Boo Radley (To Kill a Mockingbird) taught me even if you're not perfect, even if you are broken, you can still find ways to be a hero.

Morrie Schwartz (Tuesdays with Morrie) taught me that once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.

Severus Snape (Harry Potter Series) taught me that there is room for good in everyone.

And last, but certainly not least in the life lessons learned in a book:

Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter Series) taught me that it is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.

Oh there are so many more lessons I have learned from reading books.  So many places I have been….courtrooms, beaches, magical schools, the Land of Oz, Atlanta, Narnia, Neverland, the mountains, the deserts, on boats, foreign countries. I have been so many places without ever leaving the comforts of my home and learned so many different things that have helped create the person who types on the keyboard, bringing you these blog postings as often as the inspiration hits me.

So, I ask....what books/characters shaped you? What are your favorite 'go-to reads'? What characters will you never forget?

Until next time, my friends....take the time to pick up a book and read. It's one of the most fundamental things you can do for YOU!

Think Thankfully!