From season one to season twelve, heading into season thirteen, Shonda Rhimes and her motley crew have been tearing hearts apart left and right. However, the fans of Grey's Anatomy have learned valuable life lessons from the doctors, alive or dead. Their legacy lives on.
1. "The carousel never stops turning."
Famous words spoken by both Meredith and the late Ellis Grey, it pretty much sums up the entire show. Or at least the first half of the show. The mother-daughter duo teaches us that every day we get older. We grow up, turn into adults. We grow up whether we want to or not.
2. "Be unstoppable. Be a force of nature. Be better than anyone here, and don't give a damn what anyone thinks."
Spoken by the cardio queen herself, Cristina instills in all of us that we are all forces to be reckoned with. She inspires us to be successful and the best at everything we do. We are all on our own in the world and we should go into the world not giving a damn what anyone thinks. We are equals, independent. Every man for himself (or herself).
3. "It's good to be scared, it means you still have something to lose."
Wise words from an old man. The (former) Chief of Surgery speaks the truth. When you have hit rock bottom, you fear that you have lost everything. But since you fear, you still have something to lose. It just means that the only way you can go is up. Keep on climbing, there's always something to reach to even when you feel like you have lost everything. An old wise man like Richard Webber has seen and been through hell and back. He knows what he's talking about.
4. "If you love someone, you tell them. Even if you're scared that it's not the right thing. Even if you're scared it'll cause problems. Even if you're scared that it will burn your life to the ground. You say it. You say it loud."
Love is a powerful thing. It can change the hearts of millions or just one simple heart. Mark Sloan (aka McSteamy) has stolen every girl's heart in the world. Known for his promiscuous habits, he fell in love with Lexie Grey, a resident on the show. He tells Dr. Jackson Avery, his student in plastics, that if you really love a person, tell them. In fact, scream it to the world. Even if you think you may not love that person, tell them. Everyone needs love in their life. Say it. Say it loud. Three little words, eight letters.
5. "He is very dreamy, but he is not the sun. You are."
Finally. This is possibly the most important one, especially for all those self-empowering feminists out there. Don't let get men or those stupid boys bring you down. No matter how good he looks, no matter how much money he makes, no matter how lush his hair is (looking at you, McDreamy), remember you are the light of the world and you make your world go round. You are the sun. You shine brighter than any star in the universe and don't let any guy say otherwise. Never let someone steal your sun. Wise words from Dr. Yang herself.
6. "Time flies. Time waits for no man. Time heals all wounds. All any of us wants is more time. Time to stand up. Time to grow up. Time to let go. Time."
Sometimes things happen. Injuries occur. People die. Babies are born. Life goes on. Time doesn't stop, only people do. The clock keeps ticking, just like those damn carousels.
I hope you enjoy Grey's Anatomy as much as me. Every time I go to watch the show my heart skips a beat and it tears in two all at the same time. But hey, life goes on. You live and learn, all taught by the doctors of Seattle Grace Mercy West Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital.
