If you haven't seen the rom-com that gave Jack Black his first leading role and the chance to kanoodle on-screen with Gwenyth Paltrow, you ought to check it out! Even 14 years later, the movie "Shallow Hal" has several important take-aways we should start adhering to again.

1. Don't judge a book by it's cover...or binding, prologue, dedication, chapter titles, or readers' comments. We hear this cliche catchphrase often, especially as young children. But it's typically not until young adulthood that it becomes necessary for us to put this proverb into practice. "Inner beauty's the easiest thing in the world to see when you're looking for it... The brain sees what the heart wants it to feel."

2. Perception is reality. Black's character, Hal, is "un-hypnotized" in an elevator so that he will have the inability to see the true outward appearances of others, and thus the miraculous ability to see all things and people beautifully. You may argue this is a curse, but I must say it sounds like a blessing to me. It's like children and their innate power to see everyone as equals, unaware of what the world has claimed perfect or damaged.

3. We are all a little strange. We have bad habits, hidden talents, foods we hate, and movies we love. Our uniqueness sets us apart from one another, and actually gives us a chance at standing out. So let us appreciate and praise the differences of one another.

4. Who makes the rules, anyway? Who decides what is beautiful or hideous? Honestly, back to the five-year-old thing, when did we realize that a person was fat or ugly? We didn't know these things until we heard them from others or from the person themselves deciding they were unworthy. If not for ourselves, then for the sake of future generations, let's begin to think and speak positively about and towards ourselves and others, so that the five-year-olds today won't turn into 20-somethings who repeat history.

5. Always pick the funny ones. Beauty is fleeting, but laughter will keep you young. Choose the funny guy, the silly girl, the class clown, or the comic. Without giving too much away for those who haven't yet seen the film, Paltrow's character, Rosemary, falls for Hal, who is, similar to most of Black's roles, "the funny guy." She chooses him for his wit, and he eventually chooses her for the beauty within.

6. Is anyone really good enough for anyone? The movie's plot poses a question, because if Hal was less attractive than Rosemary, but funnier than she was, are they compatible? Or what if he was the more attractive one but she has the bigger heart, are they a good match then? What, you think that everyone who goes out are always attracted to each other? Get real!

7. We’ve all got our scars: birth defects, burns, weight, addictions, emotional baggage, and even tails like Mauricio... “I HAVE A TAIL! It's like a waggy tail! You wanna pet the little fella?” Who knows, maybe you'll meet a dog-lover who will love your quirk and know just how to get your tail wagging ;)

8. Never withhold a compliment. If I have children someday, this will be something I instill in them early. A little encouragement can go a long way. The way others perceive us should be the way we perceive ourselves. Let’s see each other's scars, accept them, rejoice in them, and help carry the load.

“What a strange illusion it is to suppose that beauty is goodness.”

— Leo Tolstoy