It may seem ridiculous to admit that we can take life advice from a fictional character, but Leslie Knope from "Parks and Recreation" is a total exception to the rule. She is an admitted perfectionist, extremely passionate (sometimes to a too-extreme degree), a never-say-no-to-anything-ever kind of gal, strong, yet still emotional, and a tad irritating. Hey, we all have our faults and we all have our strengths, but we can definitely all learn something from the queen of parks.
1. Never be afraid to chase after your dreams.
And never be afraid to pump yourself up to start the chase.
2. Always be unapologetically yourself.
Leslie was always proud of who she was. She embraced herself and you should, too.
3. Don't forget about your gal pals.
Time with your girlfriends is precious time.
4. Always be ready to offer a compliment.
You never know when someone might need it.
5. Always celebrate Galentine's Day.
Always.
6. Waffles always come before work.
Sometimes, they even come before friends.
7. Sometimes, you just gotta dance.
When the feeling hits, don't fight it. Just dance.
8. It's okay to think salad isn't a real food.
Breakfast foods are real foods.
9. There's no such thing as too much sugar.
Eat whipped cream to your heart's content.
10. If you love someone, you should also like them.
And never be afraid to show it.
11. Never be afraid to admit that you're inspired by yourself.
You are a goddess.
12. But also never be afraid to ask for help.
Friends are important, even if they're sometimes second to waffles.
13. Cherish every moment.
She may have rarely ever slowed down, but she knew when a moment was worth remembering.
Leslie Knope is a woman who wasn't afraid to feel empowered. She chased after every dream and every goal no matter how many people worked against her (or how much inequality may have been evident). But she also never forgot to be a good friend to everyone around her. She treasured everyone and she treasured every moment. In the end, I think we can all learn a little something from Ms. Knope.