Harry Potter has been my favorite series ever since I was a kid because even though it takes place in a universe full of witches, wizards, mythical creatures, and a scary bald dude with no nose who speaks to snakes, I was always able to relate to and grow with the characters. The one I looked up to the most was Luna, for the following reasons:

1. She was absolutely unafraid to be herself.

Luna was my favorite as soon as they introduced her because she was such an oddball and despite people calling her "Loony Lovegood" she was never anything but kind towards everyone she encountered. People made fun of her and even distanced themselves from her, but she didn't ever get down on herself or lash out at the world (unlike another bespectacled angsty teenage wizard we all know). 

2. Luna was a great friend during even the most difficult times.

While Ron and Hermione get all the credit for being Harry Potter's best friends, Luna was there on multiple occasions to help reassure Harry when the going got tough. They both knew what it was like to lose a parent, they both felt like outcasts in their own way, aaand at some point, they were both training a secret army to fight an impossibly powerful evil wizard. There was literally never a situation where someone came to her with a problem and she said: "I don't know man, you're on your own."

3. She brought a rational and positive perspective to just about everything.

Where other characters would brood, rant, or feel helpless, Luna would come in with a clear head and help them out of their funk, or at the very least, get them to see the light at the end of the tunnel. When Harry felt utterly alone in his struggle against Voldemort, he came to Luna and she shared this bit of wisdom:

Luna Lovegood: [about her father] We believe you, by the way. That He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back, and you fought him, and the Ministry and the Prophet are conspiring against you and Dumbledore. 
Harry Potter: Thanks. Seems you're about the only ones that do. 
Luna Lovegood: I don't think that's true. But I suppose that's how he wants you to feel. 
Harry Potter: What do you mean? 
Luna Lovegood: Well if I were You-Know-Who, I'd want you to feel cut off from everyone else. Because if it's just you alone you're not as much of a threat. 

4. She was brave.

When Harry started Dumbledore's Army she was the first to sign up because it gave her hope, and she even went on to start it back up when Harry went on his quest away from Hogwarts to hunt down those pesky horcruxes. Then, during the battle of Hogwarts, she went up against Voldemort's most powerful right-hand woman Bellatrix Lestrange and held her ground. Aside from her magical abilities, she was a brave girl because she endured loss, loneliness, ridicule, and straight-up terrifying murderous wizards, and she still was brave enough to smile, fight, and lift up the people around her. 

All in all, I think Luna is one of the best fictional role-models out there. 

In honor of one of my favorite holidays being tomorrow, I thought I’d take a look at and reference a highly scientific study (not..it’s from Huffpost, but it’s maybe oddly accurate?🤔) about what your favorite Thanksgiving food says about you. Quick, before you read further, have your favorite dish in your head, and enjoy:  

With Thanksgiving being two days away, I am assuming most of us are already in the Thanksgiving Day mentality. Meaning, we're probably already thinking of all the scrumptious food we're going to devour, all the football we're going to watch, all the fun we're going to have with our loved ones, and most importantly, we're probably already thinking of what we're most thankful for. At least, I know I am.

Now, I am not going to sit here and list everything that I am thankful for because that would take, well, forever. Instead, I'll keep it nice and brief. This year I am once again thankful for my health, my family and friends, and for this amazing SlideBelts team. You guys are the best and I thank you all for showing up each day and making my job that much more enjoyable!