There is no doubt that everyone in the world loves Leslie Knope. Amy Poehler's character is a selfless, waffle-lovin' woman who knows how to get things done-- what's not to like? The world is a much better place with Leslie Knope, even if she is fictional. She's teaching fans of "Parks and Recreation" how to be better people, one task force at a time. Here are five reasons why Leslie Knope should serve as an inspiration for everyone.
1. She's OK with people who think differently from her.
She's the queen of task forces, and she works as a public servant because she believes that the city government (particularly the parks and recreation department) can help make Pawnee a better place. She starkly contrasts her libertarian-minded boss, Ron Swanson, who believes that the government should stay out of his life. Their views are often on opposite ends of the spectrum, but that doesn't stop Leslie from loving the crap out of Ron. They have their skirmishes, but they always make up and agree to disagree.
2. When she wants something done, she gets it done.
We're talking about a woman who filibustered for a night dressed in a pair of overalls and roller-skates to stop a piece of legislature. She is determined. Nobody tells her that anything is impossible because "impossible" is not a part of her vocabulary. She brought back the Pawnee Harvest Festival, and she helped build a park (on a site which was previously taken up by a large and useless ditch). Leslie's perseverance is admirable, to say the least.
3. Leslie is... passionate.
OK, "passionate" may be an understatement-- and not in a good way. I mean, sure, she may have trouble separating her emotions from her actions at times, but that doesn't take away from the insane amount of emotional intensity. She's a government official who genuinely cares about the people she serves, even if they don't return the love. The love she has for service is what drives her to be the best she can. And her emotions only ever get out of hand when she loves too much, and for all the right reasons. It doesn't hurt to love everyone once in a while.
4. Selflessness and hard work are inherent to her character.
Her job, as she would describe it, is to serve the people of Pawnee, Indiana and America. This means that she constantly has to give up personal time, relationships, and so on, in order to preserve the peace in her hometown. And boy, does she do that. Leslie Knope is like the queen of service. She makes sure that her friends and her town are happy before she is. She's not your typical politician, that's for sure.
5. She sets personal goals, and she has a vision of who she wants to be.
She did an amazing job as a part of the parks and rec department of Pawnee, but she knew that her purpose was more than that. She does whatever is necessary to better herself and to reach her personal goals-- whether that means going through a grueling campaign or enduring a tough separation from her man. Leslie doesn't compromise her identity throughout her trials, and she ends up being the governor of Indiana (and perhaps the President of the United States). What can't this woman do? Everyone should strive to be the Leslie Knope of whatever it is that they do.
