When my friend first tried to get me to watch "How I Met Your Mother" (HIMYM) I had no real interest in watching some comedic television series. However, I gave the show a chance and once I began watching "HIMYM" I was hooked. I came to realize that I was very mistaken. This show isn’t just a comedy-filled show with corny jokes and audience chuckles. Rather, it’s a series full of ups, downs, laughs, heartbreaks, and all the in between. In fact, it has taught me some of the most important lessons in life.

1. Never be afraid to put yourself out there

Just think about it. Barney Stinson’s character literally revolves around putting himself out there. Despite his intentions of just trying to pick up girls, he literally accepts every challenge no matter how stupid or crazy it may be (pick up a girl while talking like a little boy, pick up a girl by convincing her he was the “other Jonas”, picking up a girl by claiming he was Neil Armstrong… he literally has a “Playbook” full of these things). He most definitely is not afraid to look like an idiot putting himself out there, and it usually works out pretty well in his case.

2. You’ll miss every shot you don’t take

This is Ted Mosby’s mindset for practically the entire series, he’s out to find “the one” for him. Even if it means falling for the wrong girl and getting his heart broken, he risks it in hopes that each new girl could potentially be the one.

“Yes, chances are Stella and I are not going to live happily ever after. The overwhelming odds have been ending badly. And when that happens it’ll be for one of a million possible reasons, but that doesn’t mean I’m not gonna’ try.” –Ted Mosby, Season 3: Episode 11, “The Platinum Rule,” "How I Met Your Mother"

3. True friends stick with you despite your flaws and mistakes

Let’s go to the “Spoiler Alert” episode. Each and every person in the gang has flaws: Marshall sings everything, Lily chews too loudly, Ted is constantly correcting people, Robin overuses the word “literally”, and Barney has a problem listening, tuning out other people, and uses too many catch phrases. Not to mention the more serious mistakes like Lily leaving Marshall for San Francisco, Barney being insensitive to Robin after their break up, and Ted being in love with Barney’s fiancé. All of these, plus many more, could most definitely ruin a friendship, but these true friends stick with each other through the thick and thin because at the end of the day they love each other through it all.

4. You don’t have to be in a rush to fall in love

Ted literally said “I Love You” on a first date. If that doesn’t scream “I’m in a rush” then I don’t know what will. Learn from Ted though, you can try and try to rush into finding the right person for you, but eventually things will work out when they’re supposed to. If it wasn’t for the years of waiting, Ted may have never crossed paths with his wife. Everything will fall into place, in due time, so just enjoy the ride because rushing into relationships and proposals never leads to a happy ending.

5. It’s okay to have standards

Likes brunch, loves dogs, wants to get married and have two kids, plays bass guitar in a band, enjoys crosswords puzzles, watches Star Wars… obviously Ted has his standards. While these may be a little nit-picky, he has a good point. Ted has a woman in mind that he could see himself enjoying life with: going to brunch with in the mornings, doing crossword puzzles with on Sundays, or watching Star Wars with when he’s not feeling well. These things may seem stupid, but why would you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody who has no interest in the things that interest you? Maybe don’t be as particular as Ted when it comes to some things, but never lessen your standards because eventually someone will come around who crosses all those items off your list.

6. Relationships aren’t for everyone

While Marshall and Lily are happily married and Ted searches for the woman he wants to spend his life with, Robin and Barney have a different life plan. Barney has never been one for commitment, yet he is still happy with the way he’s living his bachelor-style life. Robin has goals and aspirations, so she decides to put her career before her love life in many different cases. Both of them tried to be in relationships for a while, but they never lasted because sometimes relationships just aren’t for everyone. However, there’s nothing wrong with that. Just as the show portrays, with friends by your side and goals to achieve in your life, you can still be perfectly happy without being tied down.

7. Chivalry still exists

Ted Mosby is the epitome of modern-day chivalry. In all honesty, I feel like every girl hopes deep down that their man would do some of the things that Ted did for his women. His two-minute date with Stella was one of the most romantic and meaningful things he could’ve done for her. Tracking down Robin’s locket proves that he will go to any lengths to make her happy. Even Barney, the biggest playmaker in New York, has his moments of chivalry in his best play “The Robin.” Whether you’re a hopeless romantic like Ted or a player like Barney, it’s still possible to go the extra mile. Chivalry doesn’t have to be as big or as planned out as these examples, but this just goes to show that if someone really cares, they will do what they can to win over a person’s heart.

8. Sometimes the little things mean so much more

This can be summed up in three words: blue French horn. No amount of flowers, no poetic arrangement of words, no number of dinner dates could ever add up to the deeper meaning of Ted holding up that blue French horn outside of Robin’s window.

9. If you really care about someone, you’ll do what’s best for them

Marshall and Lily make their decisions based on what is best for them and their family. Barney and Robin split up because they knew it wasn’t smart to hold onto a failing marriage. Ted, the most giving of them all, let go of the woman he loved because she was going to marry one of his best friends. It's not always easy, but doing what's right for that person is the kindest thing you could possibly do.

“Actually, there is a word for that. It’s love. I’m in love with her, okay? If you’re looking for the word that means caring about someone beyond all rationality and wanting them to have everything no matter how much it destroys you, it’s love.” -Ted Mosby, Season 9: Episode 17, “Sunrise,” "How I Met Your Mother"

10. Enjoy the present

Yes, this entire show is based off of memories from the past. However, if Ted hadn’t focused on enjoying each moment as it happened, he wouldn’t have been able to retell all of these stories. He took each day as it came, and lived it to the fullest. Of course it’s important to keep your future in mind, and of course it’s nice to be able to reminisce in the past, but nothing is better than enjoying the moment you are currently in. Surround yourself with friends and family, enjoy the present, and make each day “legen-wait for it-dary” so that later in life you’ll be able to look back at it all and smile at the memories.