As I think about movie protagonists, I wonder how much do I really gain from their revealed wisdom? Whether its Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, commonly referred to as Dumbledore, the Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft’s hat wearing school Headmaster in the Harry Potter series, or Obi-Wan Kenobi, known as Ben Kenobi in the Star Wars adventures, I see their scripted paternal influence and I wonder if I could ever be a leader of equal standards.

The failure to make believe is where I always fall short as I try to compare myself to them and learn. I surmise I don’t have mystical powers as a wizard as has Dumbledore, nor am I a young Jedi warrior full of energy, genuine bravery and desire to conquer the worlds for justice as does (or did) Ben Kenobi. So I hear the story and wonder, “How do I learn from this when their worlds are so different than mine? And then I ask, “Should I really try to gain wisdom from the fictional heroes?”

The answer? I don’t try anymore. But, as a consolation I can wear a costume, adorn myself with accessories like capes and hats and swords and wands, and I can attend a costume party well equipped to be the character I admire, at least as authentically as anyone else who is equipped to be like theirs.

And surprisingly, just knowing that I’ve done all I can do makes me feel stronger, although in a very weak way.

Tags: costume, Dumbledore, hat, Hogwarts, uniform