Sometimes lighthearted, sometimes sentimental and usually cheesy — musical theater has always been a huge part of my life. One of my very first memories is camping out in my living room with my mother, eating popcorn (no butter, lightly salted, just how Mom likes it) and watching "Victor/Victoria." We both knew — and still know — every word to every song and the majority of the dialogue. This makes up one of my favorite childhood memories, but it isn’t the only memory I have that involves musical theater. There are a number of different musicals that have helped shape me into the man I am today, which is why I have decided to compile a list of 10 lessons I’ve learned throughout my life, thanks to musical theater.

1. Always be a Rizzo — "Grease"

She is honest, sexually liberated and comfortable with who she is. Rizzo is a true feminist at heart, and also such a dynamic character in the musical. What’s not to love?

2. Masculinity is not synonymous with heterosexuality — "Victor/Victoria"

In fact, masculinity is just a social construct. So even if you are gay, bi, trans, straight or just a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman — if you feel that you are a man, then by golly you are, and nobody can tell you differently!

3. Word travels fast — "Bye Bye Birdie"

“What’s the story, morning glory? What’s the word, hummingbird?” Whatever they might be saying about you, let ‘em talk! It will most likely be old news within a day or two anyway.

4. Be the change you want to see — "Hairspray"

It’s easy to talk about political, racial, economic or social issues, but it is much harder to stand up and do something to change these issues. This musical, along with history, has proven that change takes an immense amount of work, but in the long run, the work pays off.

5. There's no place like home — "The Wizard of Oz"

C’mon, you saw this one coming, right? I know, it’s a major cliche, but it’s the truth. Never forget where you came from because it helped shape you into the person you are today.

6. Don’t let yourself fade into the background of your own life — "Dreamgirls"

You are important and you are a star and you are worthy of a happy, prosperous life. The life you live is filled with choices, and they are nobody’s choices but your own.

7. Love fully and let yourself be loved fully — "Moulin Rouge"

It could be a hobby, a career, a dog or another person. Whatever it is, let yourself be enamored by it/him/her. It makes life worth living…“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”

8. Look at the positives — "The Sound of Music"

Fraulein Maria is one badass. She is faced with a few angsty nuns, seven unruly children, one Captain Von-Trapp and an entire party of Nazis — and she still never fails to find the positives in life. If we had more Marias in the world, we all would be happier.

9. Don’t let death dictate your life — "RENT"

We all are going to die, but why should we let something as inevitable as death control our life choices and actions? We should,instead live to find our happiness and accept others for finding their's.

10. Don't just dream it, be it — "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"

Whether you are a transvestite from transsexual Transylvania or just a guy who likes to write stuff, chase your dreams and do it with beauty, grace and elegance — damn it!