I had the pleasure of seeing the new Harry Potter movie, The Order of the Phoenix, yesterday. I have not read the books, but have enjoyed the movies. I tend to enjoy films that depict the epic battles of good versus evil, light versus dark.

Without giving away too much of the plot, this film has a theme wherein Harry struggles with the reality that he has deep connection with the dark lord, Voldemort. Harry feels a deep swelling of anger within him and fears that Voldemort’s evil influence is slowly taking over Harry’s good nature.

Part of the movie that really stayed with me involved a scene with Sirius Black, an uncle figure to Harry. Harry confines in his uncle his fears about becoming an evil person. Sirius ensures Harry that he is no such thing. He is a good person who bad things have happened to.

We all have the capability to do horrible things in this world.  Yet we all have the capacity to do great things as well. Sirius reminds Harry that we all have these dueling forces within us, but it is what we act on that defines who we are.

If we act on thoughts that are harmful to ourselves or others than we are defining ourselves a certain way. Likewise, if we do not succumb to the negative, destructive parts of ourselves, then we define who we are another way. It is our choice.