Arguably the best Christmas movie of all time, It’s A Wonderful Life has stood the test of time because of its enduring message. Released in 1946, it tells the story of George Bailey, a man who lives a comfortable life but hasn’t quite achieved everything he dreamed of when he was younger. Life throws him one too many curveballs, and he starts to wonder if everyone would be better off if he didn’t exist. With the help of Clarence, his quirky yet caring guardian angel, George sees how truly wonderful his life was. With memorable characters and themes, It’s A Wonderful Life provides countless reminders that life is a thing to be cherished. Here’s a few that stand out:

1) You matter.

It can become so easy to get bogged down in our routine, monotonous lives. All too often, we find ourselves wondering what our purpose in life is, and if we are even fulfilling it. When George starts to hit a rough patch, he has the same feelings. Clarence is there to remind him of all the lives that have changed for the better because of him.“Each man’s life touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” he tells George. We never know just how much we affect the people in our everyday lives, and it’s important to realize this.

2) Marry the person who’s right for you.

While romance is just one of the many themes seen in this film, it is central to understanding the relationship between George and his wife Mary. The two first meet when they are younger, and it takes a while for them to realize that they really do love each other. After getting married and starting a family, they stick by each other’s sides when times get tough. Mary especially is a constant support system to George. His mother says it best when she tells him that Mary is the “kind of girl who will help you find your answers.” Their romance and love is one of the things that make George realize just how blessed he is later in the film.

3) Count your blessings.

When George laments over the missed opportunities in his life and all of the things that he doesn’t have, he becomes restless and extremely unhappy. This is no way to go about life. Your worth doesn’t come from the kind of car you drive, how nice your house is, or how much money you make. George learns to appreciate all of the little blessings in his life. We can see this at the end of the movie, when he runs through his town of Bedford Falls on Christmas Eve, greeting everyone he sees. He even wishes the horrible Mr. Potter a Merry Christmas as he runs by his office window, and is ecstatic to be home when he bursts through the door and yells “Oh, look at this wonderful old drafty house, Mary!” In our consumer society today, we could all take a hint from George and learn to appreciate the numerous blessings in our lives.

4) Surround yourself with love.

George finally comes to the realization that the most important things in life are the people you surround yourself with. He has a loving wife that cares for him, children who adore him, and friends that would do anything for him. And they do. When George comes home at the end of the movie, the whole town is there to support him and his family in their financial struggles. They give him the little money that they have, and remind George how much he is loved. Clarence leaves us with a poignant message when he writes George a note, saying “Dear George, remember: no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings. Love, Clarence.”