From the very moment you laid eyes on Dr. Derek Shepherd, you absolutely knew that he was your soulmate. He's an intelligent, witty, romantic, handsome (emphasis on the handsome) man with a great head of hair. I mean, what more could you really ask for? Along with all of his other charming qualities, Derek Shepherd also knows a thing or two about life. Here are six times that Mr. McDreamy just did life right. Make sure to take notes.

1. "I'm a human being. I make mistakes. I am flawed. We all are."

Contrary to popular belief, Derek Shepherd is not an angel, a god, a unicorn, or your husband. He is a person just like you and me. You can be the most accomplished person in the world, but that doesn't mean you're exempt from making mistakes. The reality is that we all mess up sometimes, and there's no changing that. It's time we start embracing our flaws and admitting our faults. If Derek Shepherd can do it, you can do it.

2. "I wanna die when I'm 110 years old, in your arms. I don't want 48 uninterrupted hours, I want a lifetime."

Everyone, including myself, is guilty of making a New Year's resolution that we know we'll never keep. Most of the time these are trendy and cliche resolutions, or at least if you're me they are. We all love the latest, greatest flavor of the month, don't we? Find one thing to commit to, whether it be your new workout routine, a healthy diet, reading (and finishing) a book, or even a relationship. Don't just give it 48 uninterrupted hours; be in it for the long haul.

3. "I loved her enough to walk away."

This is one a lot of people, including myself, struggle with. It's hard to put someone's wants and needs before your own. It's such a cool and rewarding experience to have people in your life who are so important that you would do anything for them, even when it's not convenient for you. Try it sometime, you won't regret it.

4. "Life is short. So now I think less and just do."

Unfortunately, it often takes some sort of tragedy to realize the true meaning of this. Don't wait until you have more yesterdays than tomorrows to start living – and I mean really, truly living. Yes, thinking is good, but don't think too hard. Be spontaneous, exciting, adventurous. Live out your life every day, don't push it off until tomorrow.

5. "We're not gonna talk about the hospital. We're here to play baseball."

Dr. Shepherd might be the best neurosurgeon in all of Seattle, but even he knows where to draw the line between work and play. He shows us that at the end of the day, it's important to take a little time for yourself, no matter how great you think you, or your job, may be. If Mr. McDreamy can take the night off, so can you. Don't be getting a big head, now!

6. "Every medical advancement started with the statement, 'That sounds crazy.'

And he's absolutely right. The greatest breakthroughs and discoveries usually begin with a far-fetched ideas. You've gotta dream big to be big, right? You can't play it safe all the time and expect big results; Derek Shepherd would be the first to tell you that. Don't let anybody tell you that you're crazy for having big ideas and don't be scared to think outside of the box. To quote from everyone's favorite Hillary Duff flick, "Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."