The long-running CBS series, "How I Met Your Mother" is one of those rare sitcoms that tackles serious situations just as well as does comedic ones. The show centers around Ted Mosby, an architect, searching for the love of his life, sharing some hilarious and also some tear-jerking moments with his four closest friends along the way. Although Ted is a fictional character, actor Josh Radnor beautifully delivered some of the most eloquently crafted speeches about love given to him by the writers of the show. Here are nine lessons I learned about love by watching HIMYM:
1. Sometimes it means sacrifice
When you really love someone, you want them to be happy...no matter what, even if it means they are happy without you. But if you truly care about someone, it won't matter that you are not with them anymore because seeing the person you love happy is the most rewarding thing in the world.
2. Someone will love you for you
You should never have to change yourself to make someone love you. It may take what feels like forever to find them, but your soulmate is going to love everything about you, even all your little quirks. The right person will love you exactly the way you are, whether you like olives or not.
3. Every minute counts
When you truly love someone, you want to spend all the time you possibly can with them. Every moment is precious. When you think back on it, you wish you could have even more time with the person you love.
4. It consumes you
When you are in love, everything you think relates to your person. Their needs are more important than your own. Everything you do and say is suddenly for them and not yourself. They never leave your mind, and you don't want them to.
5. It's scary
Love is scary because it means we're vulnerable. And people don't like to be vulnerable. But being in love also means giving yourself to someone, flaws and all, and hoping they will accept you. It's definitely scary to put yourself out there, but if you do not take a chance, you may never find true love.
6. You don't need a sign
When you really know what you want, you don't need the universe to reassure your choice. If you are in love, you know it without getting signs from the universe. You feel it in your heart and in your thoughts.
7. It doesn't come without heartbreak
Love wouldn't be love if there wasn't heartbreak and negativity involved. It can come from a break up, or just from being single for what feels like eternity. But it doesn't mean you should give up. It just means you should take a break, focus on yourself, and get back in the game when you are ready. We learn from our mistakes so we know what to avoid and also what to look for in the future. What doesn't kill us truly makes us stronger.
8. It doesn't stop
When you love someone, you never stop loving them. Even if they have moved on, a piece of your heart will always be for them. Love does not simply go away. That's why when two people are truly in love, it is magical because their affection for each other is never-ending.
9. It is the best thing we do
We may not always be able to make sense of the feelings we have for people, whether it be our significant others, our family, or our friends. But one thing that is always certain is that we love them. We love the people in our life unconditionally because it is the best thing we can do for them. It may cause us to act crazy or irrational at times, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't do it. It is the best thing we do.
