What Defines You – by Albus Dumbledore


It’s been Harry Potter marathon day at our house. Why? Because my ten year old son is home sick. I’ve read the books all twice and watched the movies more times than I can count. However, something Albus Dumbledore says, in The Chamber of Secrets, never really hit home with me until today. Maybe because I was giving the movie my full attention or maybe because I was in a thoughtful mood. Who knows! Regardless, I have been pondering these words all day.

“It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices.”

How true this is! Yet, how often I don’t live by it. Everyday I focus on my abilities to define me. I know what I am good at and I work with it. If asked what one word defines me then I name what it is I excel at. I put so much stock in my talents. When all along it’s my choices that truly make me, ME! I am not my talent. I am not my ability. However, what I choose to do with those talents, that is what shows who I truly am. The choices I make in this life will define me. My abilities are there to lead me in the right direction. J.K. Rowlings, Nicholas Sparks, John Grisham, Stephanie Meyer, Nora Roberts, they all chose to ignore the rejections and roadblocks believing in their ability. Had they chose to give up then that choice would be what defined them. Instead the choices they made have gifted the world with beautiful stories that will last forever in the hearts of their readers.