I want to be Brooke Davis.
It's not that I don't want to be me, but I want Brooke's magical essence. She is a one-woman force that takes out any competitor with dignity, grace, and an occasional catfight. She can't be stopped once she puts her mind to something, because her determination is as much a gift as it is a weapon. After a weekend of binge re-watching a few of my favorite "One Tree Hill" episodes, I have put my finger on a few traits that are fundamentals of Brooke Davis. I've decided to share my knowledge in an effort to make the world a better place. (Also, I cannot be the only person who is in true awe of this fictional character!)
1. Make Several Mistakes
Brooke is so not perfect. Her mistakes are large and in-charge of her life in the first couple seasons. But that's the thing that makes Brooke so real: her mistakes change her as time passes. Brooke will make a mess, see it for the mess it is, and fix everything to the very best of her ability. She doesn't regret her mistakes because she learned who not to be and what to do when she suffered consequences.
2. Forgive Often
No one goes un-scorned in Tree Hill; Hearts are broken, tears are shed, friendships die, and revenge is plotted/fulfilled. Brooke does all of the above. She is great in all these situations because she goes beyond what people did in the past to see them for the person standing in front of her. Brooke hands out chances when she doesn't believe there are more to give, because it's her belief people are good and will do good.
3. Know Your Worth
Many people ruled Brooke's life at one point or another. She stood up to people she loved because she realized loving someone doesn't require losing your voice, or ultimately yourself. Although I stated above she will forgive, Brooke makes people work to earn her trust back. She knows that she is great and expects people in her life to meet those standards, if not surpass them.
4. Know When The Risk Is Worth Taking
While guarded, Brooke knows when to let her walls down. She's been betrayed a time or two (or 100x), so she knows the signs of a phony when she sees one, but she also knows when she's being overly cautious or stubborn (*cough* Julian *cough*) so she will put her fears aside. Instead of hiding from pain, Brooke realizes the benefits of a good thing will be worth the pain if it falls apart.
5. Work Hard
It's one thing to dream big. To scribble sketches down in a note book is great, but there are no results from that. Brooke takes the next step and works towards her dreams in everything she does. She has the ideas and puts a plan in place to make it all a reality. When someone comes in the way of her dreams or tries to take her plans from her, she fights back as hard as she can. B. Davis also expands her ideas and business with integrity, so everyone is positively touched by her accomplishments.
6. Surround Yourself With Excellent People
Part of me wants Tree Hill, North Carolina, to be real for the sheer fact everyone from that town is incredibly successful. But that type of environment and people create that type of magic and possibility. Brooke's friends gave her support, comfort, a reality check, and slap in the face when needed. They all get to mourn their failures and celebrate their triumphs together. A beautiful support system like Tree Hill gave Brooke that extra push when she needed it.
If Brooke isn't your favorite, you can have your faithful and kind Haley or emotionally tormented and forever-dramatic Peyton. I'll take Brooke any season and all seasons. Never forget to ask yourself, "What would Brooke Davis do?"
