I just finished season six of one of Showtime's most popular television series, "Shameless". Since it came out in 2011, it has made some valid points about living within a city as adventurous and dangerous as Chicago. For those who have not caught up with the dysfunction that most people would really think is not something a typical American would do, this show follows the Gallagher family. An extremely dysfunctional family that would make Norman Bates think "Wow". Of course, he killed people, but besides that, Shameless follows this family in Southside Chicago, the poor and dangerous part of the city.

I know what you make be thinking, how does an alcoholic father and his dysfunctional family play into our lives that seem so normal in comparison? Well, to be honest, I wasn't so sure this series would hook me, but this show has made me angry, made me cry, and make my popcorn fall out of my mouth... So if you don't want any spoilers, this article may not be for you, but, hopefully some of these points are relevant in a way.

1. Relationships

In a society where most relationships are generally accepted, Shameless gives you many different family, love, sexual, co-worker, stranger, and friend relationships. This show never ceases to teach me that in a society where we are connected to everyone via social media, we don't even know our own neighbors, we don't smile at strangers to show we aren't vicious monsters (of course an exaggeration), but then you see yourself in those relationships. Take Ian and Mickey's relationship that literally started through a sexual fling, but then they both sincerely loved each other. Or Fiona and Jimmy's relationship was not an ideal fantasy but they loved each other for rich or for poor, even though she raised five kids, dropped out of high school, and goes from guy to guy, they both will always have the love through the darkest moments of their lives. Frank, despite how we don't like him, shows that even the cruelest people still care and are there in the worst moments.

2. Don't take life for granted.

It's hard to say that when you are scrounging for money, trying to pay a house rent, hold down rent and raise five siblings, but we can all appreciate that when the Gallaghers and friends get together, they know how to just smile, be happy, and forget the pain, the neglect of their parents, and are just happy to have each other. Everyone can judge all they want about their lives, but that doesn't mean they will change. Again, staying together makes people stronger. No one ever wants to go through a battle alone.

3. Chicago Life

Let's face it. Chicago is a dangerous city, and one can never be too careful when it comes to living or visiting there. Shameless shows that living in certain neighborhoods like the Southside can get pretty rough. Granted, we will never be experts because we may not have been there, but the producers made this show as real as possible. With all the gunshots, gang violence, white collar crime, and general living, we see that we can never be too careful in any area. Just a safety tip: Always have Lip, Mickey, Sean, Kevin (especially Kevin) or Ian get you home safely.

4. When the going gets tough.

There will be times when life is gonna give you a bad deal, but you can't back down from life. Taking it from one of the millions of Americans who feel like life wants to play a sick game and then it leaves you crying and wondering where everything went wrong. This is where the show gets me. The choices these characters make can just leave a person flabbergasted and wondering why they choose what they do. But just keep in mind that life doesn't always play cruel jokes, but open a door that you didn't think would open. When the going gets tough, just remember to walk tall, and don't let anyone see your makeup smear. Smile through the tears even when it seems impossible because it's not.

5. The real world.

This world can be frightening. People can be evil, people will break your heart and being the good person you are, you will forgive them. We can't wear rose-colored glassed through our journey. When we accept the good, the bad, and the ugly, we need to be strong and just stick to our morals. Listen to your gut, and hold your fist in the air, saying that it is not over, you will be the best damn person you can be. You have support, love, family, and friends. If you have that, then you are the wealthiest person in the world.