5 Life Lessons from Game of Thrones

Unless you are living under a rock you are probably hearing all the news about the new season of Game of Thrones starting on HBO. Even if you are not a fan you are probably close to one who won’t stop talking about it!

Everyone has their own reason for watching (or not watching) the show but here are a few entertaining lessons any Game of Thrones fan can apply to relationships in our every day – non-dragon filled – lives:

• Lesson #1:  Live with Honor. Anyone who has been following the show is a fan of Ned Stark and the only insults that can be directed towards his character was his unwillingness to take the low road in order to “win” at the game. Jon Snow is also showing his father’s traits and refers often to how his father taught him to be the person he is. Remember that others – especially our children – observe and absorb what we do. We should work to be an example to those around us, even after our time is done.​
• Lesson #2:  Bravery knows no age: Not sure if any of you are a fan, but I adore Lady Mormont. This little lady is the leader of her clan and speaks her mind when she knows she is fighting for right and her strength has gained the respect of her peers. Teaching our little ones to stand up for themselves is a lesson that can be started immediately

• Lesson #3:  Life is all about perspective. Did you ever notice that this story is showing you the experiences of several very different characters and how they are all reacting to the same series of events? The same event for the entire nation resulted in drastically different paths and drastically different journeys. Just because we all may experience the same event, remember that we all didn’t experience it the same. It’s important to respect the journeys we each took to get to where we are today.
• Lesson #4:  Our kids can do anything…. We just need to let them know. The second Stark daughter – Arya – is an example of a survivor who is making it happen because her family believed in her. From her gift of a sword from Jon to her father hiring a “dance instructor” to her ability to shoot a bow and arrow with Robb, her family supported her desire to be all she could be. Imagine what our kids can do when we are supporting their desires to be their best!
• Lesson #5:  Sibling relationships are important even when mom and dad are gone: No, I don’t mean Cercei and Jamie’s relationship…. I mean the examples from the other families. The Stark children show an allegiance to each other even after their parents are gone. And the Baratheons show a disdain for each other and a willingness to kill each other for power. How were you raised to be connected to your siblings? And how do you intend to teach your children?

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You don’t have to be a Game of Thrones fan to appreciate the lessons shared in this show but knowing that so many watch the show, it is so great to be able to learn lessons from what we watch for fun and apply it to our relationships!

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