Life lessons from “Parks and Recreation”

Sam Vander Forest

NBC’s gut-wrenchingly heartwarming TV show, “Parks and Recreation,” is coming to an end soon and since its arrival in 2009, it has graced its audience with not just classic comedy, but life lessons that stand the test of time.

From Ron Swanson’s antisocial libertarian beliefs to Leslie Knope’s strict rule-following attitude, the characters of “Parks and Recreation” truly are one of TV’s all-time best groups. Here are five life lessons the show has intertwined in its non-stop humor.

– You don’t have to agree on everything or see eye-to-eye to be civil or be friends with someone

Ron and Leslie’s characters could not be more opposite. Ron hates the very idea of government and Leslie lives for the public sector. However, Ron is consistently the voice of reason and the shoulder for Leslie to lean on throughout the show. This lesson is increasingly important today, as people judge too strongly by whom others voted for. There’s more to someone than his or her political ideologies.

– Taking responsibility in good times and bad

As mentioned earlier, Ron Swanson is the beacon of light and reason for many in this show, and he especially believes in responsibility. Take his advice to Leslie as an example: “You know what makes a person good? When a good person does something bad, they own up to it. They try to learn something from it and move on.”

– Go out of your way for those you care about

Some characters in this show can come off as self-centered, but in the long run, they’d do anything for those they work with. Leslie is a gift-giving machine and Andy has the biggest heart of any 30-something, or anyone for that matter. Don’t be afraid to actually care for someone else and be sure to show him or her that you do, like when the whole gang drops what they’re doing to help Leslie fulfill her dream.

– Stick to your guns

Throughout the show, fans are left wondering, “How in the heck did Ron hire someone like Leslie into the department, when they are polar opposites of each other?” Well, late in the show you finally find out. Although in Leslie’s interview, Ron predicted that they’d tear each other to shreds, he also specifically remembered that she stood up for what she believed in. It’s a resonating idea that although it is nice to be flexible with those around you, you shouldn’t compromise who you are and what you believe in.

– Life moves on so don’t be afraid of change, but remember to reflect on where you’ve been

When any show comes to an end, it’s undoubtedly sad. The characters are all finding their niche in the world and are moving on, and the last episode always draws tears. “Parks and Recreation” hasn’t quite ended yet, but the Band-Aid is slowly being pealed off. The season 6 finale brought about a lot of change for the characters, but each one knew it was the right choice and they made sure to move on in the right ways. So remember, although a lot may change, you’ll always have those who you started with and it’s important to not forget where you came from.