It's not surprising that sometimes kids really hold all the answers to life's toughest questions; innocence breeds truth. It's also no wonder why everyone's favorite "One Tree Hill" character is the utterly adorable James Lucas Scott. For many including myself, OTH is more than just some TV series; we become immersed in Tree Hill drama and connected to characters as if we knew them in real life. Recently, I've been binge watching OTH and found myself quite inspired by this little fella. I figured I'd share some of the wisdom with you all. Here are 10 life lessons as told by the one and only James Lucas Scott.
1. Everyone should have a friend.
No matter who they are, always remember that everyone is fighting their own battle and everyone deserves a friend. If someone looks lonely, befriend them. Who knows -- maybe you'll end up being best friends. You'll never know unless you try.
2. Forgiveness is love.
This great line inspired by Nathan's own words hits home in any situation. Forgiveness is key to a lot of things, especially love. When in doubt, try to find it in yourself to forgive others. Trust me, it makes life a whole lot easier.
3. All you can do is your best.
This is another classic case of Jamie turning his dad's own words around on him. Let's face it -- sometimes it's easier hearing advice from an adorable child. Always try your best; it's all you can do. Don't hold yourself to too high of standards and disappoint yourself. Instead, just try your hardest and everything will fall into place.
4. Some people lead, some people follow.
Jamie tells it like it is here and it's a simple phrase to remember. Some people lead, others follow and it's up to you to decide which one you want to be.
5. Take a stand.
In the wise words of Jamie Scott, "It's my life. I'm taking a stand." Don't let others peer pressure you into doing something you don't want to do. It's your life and you deserve to live it any way you choose.
6. It's about heart.
Always follow your heart. It's the hardest advice to follow, but it's also the truest. Trust your gut; it's always right.
7. It's OK to not always be tough.
This scene definitely broke everyone's heart, mine included. It's OK to break down. Bottling up feelings and putting on a mask of toughness as a coping mechanism is not healthy. Allow yourself to express your emotions and life will unfold the way it's supposed to.
8. People are different... and that's OK.
Always be yourself and don't worry about what others think of you. If other people judge you because you're "different," that's their own flaw and not yours. When in doubt, listen to Jamie... it's cool that people are different, so embrace the oddities!
9. Bad things happen.
Life doesn't always work out the way we want it to and bad things do happen. Unfortunately, they often happen to good people, just like Jamie says. Don't let the bad times outweigh the great ones in life. Embrace the bad and use it to grow and learn from the past.
10. It's OK to cry.
Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking episodes of OTH, Jamie Scott really manages to pull on everyone's heart strings extra hard by delivering this memorable quote. Children always have a way of knowing exactly what to say in a time of crisis and mourning. They somehow manage to look on the bright side of tough situations. Always remember that it's OK to cry because that means that it can only get better.
There you have it! Ten amazing life lessons, all told by "One Tree Hill"'s finest James Lucas Scott. When life gets tough, just let Jamie's cute little face pop into your mind and keep you motivated and inspired. Don't let anyone tell you that binge watching an entire series on Netflix is unproductive. And when in doubt... dance it out.
