You have probably heard your parents tell you at least once in your life that television shows do nothing for you except entertain. The television series, "The Office," tells the story of an average American work place of a paper company. It is filmed in the style of a mockumentary and shows the daily lives of the average Joe people who work there. I recently finished the last of nine seasons and although it was full of laughs and tears, I took a lot out of it. Here are five things "The Office" has taught me.
1. Live in the present.
Although it seemed like mostly every employee working at the office hated their job, at times, and wanted to get out, they never knew how much they loved it until they left. In high school I would always talk about getting the heck out of it and moving onto the college life, but now that I am out of it I realize that I never wanted to leave. I made so many great memories and friends there and I didn't even know it until it was all gone. As Andy said in the last episode, "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days, before you've actually left them."
2. Never lose the kid inside of you.
Michael Scott, "The World's Best Boss," has taught me that no matter how old you are, you can still have that kid inside of you. I am afraid that as I get older, I will become a boring adult who goes to work, goes home, and repeats. I know it is a television show and most bosses out there are probably not like Michael Scott, but he gives a sense of hope that it doesn't have to be that way.
3. Never give up on your dreams.
Whether it was Dwight, who was always striving to become the manager of the office, or Andy who left work to accomplish his dream of becoming an actor, they never stopped trying. When Jim told Michael he loved Pam, Michael told him to "Never, ever, ever, give up." Look at them now!
4. Who your real friends are.
When no one that Pam invited to her art display came, Michael walks in last minute to support her artwork. When Michael heard that Dwight was getting married to Angela, he flew all the way from across the country to be there as a surprise. These examples weren't only done as the act of a boss, but as a friend. The simple acts of support toward one another showed me what real friends do for each other.
5. Make the most of what you've got.
Even though working at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company isn't everyones dream job in life, you gotta do what you gotta do to make yourself happy. The employees of this company really taught me to make the most of what I have. That I should appreciate the people I am around and the things I am experiencing. Yes, it is good to wish for better every once in a while, but never ruin what you have in the moment by wasting your time sitting there wishing for it to get better.
