One of my friends introduced me to the show "One Tree Hill." I was hooked after the first episode, not just because of its well written story, but also because I was learning an important life lesson each episode. I know everybody is probably wondering how a television show could teach life lessons. The biggest thing that "One Tree Hill" does is make the characters and the situations they find themselves in relatable. These are the life lessons I felt truly shined through this series.

Things get better

We've all been in those times where nothing goes our way and we feel the world is against us. Maybe the woman you've loved all your life rejected your proposal or maybe an incident left you paralyzed to the point where you can't play in the NBA. Incidents like such leave a sharp pain in your heart that make you lose hope. The biggest thing you can't do is give up. If you give up things won't get better and that pain will remain with you forever.

Believe in your dreams

We all have dreams of where we want to be in our later lives. Maybe we have dreams of becoming a writer, starting a fashion company, or maybe entering the NBA. All dreams take hard work and dedication. But working hard is only half the battle to achieving your dreams, the other half is believing they're possible. If you don't believe in your dreams you've already lost half the battle. Everybody can admit that there have been times when they've lost faith in their dreams for whatever reason. If you ever lose faith in your dreams find a reason to believe again.

Life is short, so live it to the fullest

Life goes by quick, too quick. Therefore you should always make attempts to live life to the fullest. Get the job you the want, marry the person you want, have the friends you want. One day you're a teenager playing varsity basketball and the next thing you know you're in the stands watching your own son play varsity basketball. Maybe that moment in your life came quicker than you had planned, but would you trade it for anything?

Be yourself

Be who you want to be. Don't let others dictate what you do, because when you do this you're not living your life you're living someone else's. We already said life is too short and it's even shorter when you live your life making others happy over yourself. Next time you find yourself doing something you're unsure of ask yourself, "Am I doing this for me or someone else?" You don't have to watch a single episode of "One Tree Hill" to know this series talks about this subject. All you need to do is hear the intro.

I Don't Want To Be by Gavin Degraw

I don't want to be

Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately

All I have to do is think of me and I have a peace of mind

I don't want to be

Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately

All I have to do is think of me and I have a peace of mind

I'm tired of looking 'round rooms

Wondering what I've got to do

Or who I'm supposed to be

I don't want to be anything other than me