Life Lessons fom the Twilight Saga

Don't judge some one because they look different.

Everyone in Forks had an unexplained fear of the Cullen family. They look different with their unusual beauty and pale skin. People did not associate with them unless they had to. Because of this they stayed mainly to themselves. Although, they did not to seem to mind being the outsiders in the book, in real life you could be missing out on great friendships by avoiding a person just because they may look a little different than you. The vampires and the wolves spent most of the series against each other, but when they came together, they worked as a team that was more powerful than they could ever be apart.

You do not have to be what is expected of you.

Before you read Twilight, if you heard the word, Vampire, you may have thought "evil night dweller". Edward felt because he was a vampire that he was a soulless abomination as that is what is typically expected of a vampire. Some people find it easier to go through life playing the part that is expected of them whether it is what they want or not out of life. This is the easy path. You are not challenging yourself; therefore you don't have to fear failure. This can be said for the college student pressured to be a lawyer, when he really wants to be a writer or the person growing up on the wrong side of town who does not to want to be teased for studying hard rather than roaming the streets. Anyone can break the pattern and follow their heart. As Edward said in Twilight, "The Future is not set in stone."

Good things come to those who wait

Delayed gratification is something that many of us don't have patience for these days. We get an urge or craving for something and we want it right then. But is this always a good thing? For example, Bella and Edward waited until marriage before having sex. What if they didn't? Edward might not have had the control earlier to prevent from accidentally killing her. Also, could you picture a bruised, broken, and pregnant Bella having to explain to Charlie what happened? Consider the wolves. Had things progressed sooner, a war may have broken out between the vampire and wolves.

The fact that the Cullen's are "vegetarians" is another form of delayed gratification. Yes, they still get the burning crave for human blood, but by being "vegetarians" the relationships amongst themselves are stronger than the vampire covens that feed on human blood. They are also able to maintain associations with humans. This can be applied to several different aspects of life. Weight loss for example, when you eat that donut today it tastes good. You get immediate satisfaction. But in the long run if you are trying to lose 20 pounds you will regret that choice tomorrow. Whether it is food or celibacy, most of the World has the "Get it Now" mentality. Keep tomorrow in mind when you make decisions for today.

We are our own worst critic

Bella never saw herself for what she was. She always saw the clumsy, average looking human. Edward saw the beautiful, intelligent Bella. We never see our true potential. Even when we do great things, like score well on a test or paint a masterpiece. We pick out the flaws instead of seeing what we have accomplished. Take time to enjoy the moment.

Find your inner superpower

Okay, so not everyone can read minds or see the future, but we all have a strength of our own. Some of us are more compassionate like Carlisle who uses his strength to help people in the hospital or maybe you are more like Emmett who has enormous physical strength. These are realistic strengths that anyone can have. You may have a different strength that is uniquely you. Figure out what it is and you can use it in life to succeed and help people too.