Let me introduce you to my mantra: WWBD? Not a day goes by that I don't ask myself: "What would Buffy do?" Channeling prime time's strongest female lead to date guides me in making every significant decision. More often than not, I meet people who have heard of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," but never watched the show. "Isn't it just another vampire show? I'm so sick of all the vampire love stories," they all say. No, Buffy is nothing like the sappy, pathetic characters depicted in "Twilight." If there is one lesson worth taking from seven years of slayage, it's that girls kick proverbial butt. On the surface, yes, Buffy fights a lot of monsters, slays demons and saves the world seasonally, but underneath she is a confused teenager surviving high school. The show is a clever coming of age tale about growing up on a Hellmouth. I know I can relate, how about you?

In a 1998 Buffy Interview, creator, Joss Whedon explains his original vision for Buffy:

"I had seen a lot of horror movies, which I love very much, with blonde girls getting killed in dark alleys, and I just germinated this idea about how much I would like to see a blonde girl go into a dark alley, get attacked by a monster, and then kill it."

I compiled a short, but powerful list of moments that continue to guide me.

1. Season 3, Episode 8: "Earshot"

In this episode Buffy confronts Jonathan, a misunderstood nerd on the verge of committing a mass shooting, but is actually a suicide attempt. One week before the scheduled air date, the Columbine High School Massacre devastated and shocked the nation. The release date was rescheduled, and when Jonathan reveals his thoughts were solely suicidal, the show touched teens in despair on all levels.

Buffy: "You know what? I was wrong. You are an idiot. My life happens to, on occasion, suck beyond the telling of it. Sometimes more than I can handle. And it's not just mine. Every single person down there is ignoring your pain because they're too busy with their own. The beautiful ones. The popular ones. The guys that pick on you. Everyone. If you could hear what they were feeling. The loneliness. The confusion. It looks quiet down there. It's not. It's deafening."

2. Season 2, Episode 22: "Becoming, Part Two"

The trouble with giving your heart away to a guy is he has the tendency to turn into a total prick afterwards. In Buffy's case, Angel doesn't just get jerky, he loses his soul. In this season’s cliffhanger finale, Buffy faces Angelus in a sword fight of epic proportion. Her strength culminates in the final moments of the fight, showing young women everywhere that no one can take your power away.

Angelus: "Now that's everything, huh? No weapons, no friends, no hope. Take all that away... and what's left?"
Buffy: "Me."

3. Season 1, Episode 12: "Prophecy Girl"

In each season Buffy faces the Big Bad, the overarching evil that threatens not just Buffy and the Scooby Gang, but the entire world. Buffy struggles with adapting to a new city, a new school and a new destiny throughout season one, and it all coalesces during the season finale when she faces The Master. Spoiler alert: she literally dies in this episode. The transition kills her, but her friends bring her back just in time to kick major big-bad-butt.

The Master: "Where are your jibes now? Will you laugh when my Hell is on Earth?"
Buffy: "You're really that amped about Hell? Go there."

4. Season 1, Episode 1: "Welcome to the Hellmouth"

A whole lot of growing up occurs during the years we follow Buffy. But, like anyone, she has to start somewhere. In the first episode, we meet a girl running from a path she considers chosen for her, and as the years go by, her life transitions into one she chooses. Even a rebellious and naive Buffy delivers some simple, yet valuable advice—even though it isn't always received as intended. After all, there is no time like the present.

Giles: "The influx of the undead, the ... supernatural occurrences, it's been building for years. There's a reason why you're here and a reason why it's now!"
Buffy: "Because now is the time my mom moved here!"

5. Season 7, Episode 11: "Showtime"

The final season of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" invites young women everywhere to ignite their inner Slayer. In one of the most powerful episodes of the entire series, Buffy restores confidence in her group of potential slayers by defeating an ancient breed of vampire called the Turok-Han. She defeats an unbeatable monster—can you say Girl Power?

Willow: Just watch. It's showtime.

What did I learn from Buffy? When in doubt: slay. I don't mean start sharpening a wooden stake and hunt for the undead. In those moments of uncertainty, which will never entirely go away, take a deep breath, refocus and keep going. Whenever in doubt, channel your inner Buffy. She will always know what to do.

Xander: "Let me tell you something, when it's dark and I'm all alone and I'm scared or freaked out or whatever, I always think, 'What would Buffy do?'" "You're my hero. Ok, sometimes when it's dark and I'm all alone I think, 'What is Buffy wearing?'"