Unexpected blessings from a simple “tv show”
Wow. I don’t even know where to begin…
Never in a million years did I think I would be writing a blog post on how a simple television show changed my life. But alas, here I am. To be honest (this sounds really cliché), but I don’t remember many aspects of my life before I started watching One Tree Hill. Though a lot of that is probably my mental health, I do also blame OTH. ;) This “show” has changed my life in more ways than I could ever imagine; all for the better. On a quick side note, I am already crying (typical), so I don’t know how I’m going to get through this, but I am just going to mention a few of the many ways One Tree Hill has reshaped, and also changed, my life…
1. It has helped me feel safe and secure.
”Somebody once told me that there is a place, where everything’s better, and everything’s safe.” Since I started watching One Tree Hill just a few years ago, it has been my safe haven. I have had a lot of instability with my health throughout my entire life, but most specifically over the past few years. Because of this, most of the time reality has been pretty dreadful. My life seemed (and still does a lot of the time) to consist of nothing but health issues, tests and procedures, and unsuccessful doctors’ appointments. Watching One Tree Hill has been my escape. I became so invested with the lives of the characters, and all the issues they were dealing with, which allowed me to temporarily forget about my own problems I was facing. Every time I would watch a new episode, those 40 minutes brought me so much peace, and often gave me courage to go on with my day with the attitude of a fighter; having the courage to face whatever would come my way.
Now, I’m going to seem like I am totally contradicting myself here (which is probably true), but in addition to being my complete escape from reality, One Tree Hill has also helped me embrace my life, and understand it on another level. Every single one of the 187 episodes has made me contemplate everything going on in my life- the good, the bad, and the ugly. To avoid making this a novel, I am not going to go into specifics here, but I have learned countless valuable life lessons from this show. Ones that have helped me through challenging times, and made me face my trials and challenges in a whole new light.
2. It has helped me to see that I am enough.
It’s no secret to anyone that while I find ways to relate with all characters, the person who’s story I connect and resonate most with is that of Brooke Davis. Not so much the transformation from the high school slut to the successful business woman to a wife and mom, but more in finding who she is, and realizing she is worth it. I have always had body image issues, much of that being because of spending my life in competitive gymnastics. I developed an eating disorder during high school, and struggled with it for a good few years. With prayer and many therapy sessions, I’m doing significantly better in that department today. However, I still struggle daily with my confidence and self image. I have always had body image distortion, so looking at myself in the mirror, I tend to only see my flaws. Then from there stems all the self-destructive thoughts like, “Why would anyone want me?” “What do people even see in me?” “What do I even have going for me?” etc. Brooke Davis helped me to see myself in a positive light, and to focus on my good qualities. She showed me what confidence, boldness, and courage looks like. She showed me that I should never settle for anything less than I deserve, and also, that if I want patiently, someone who deserves me and sees me for who I am will eventually come along (hence my love for Julian :)).
3. It has helped me look deeper into life.
One of the reasons that One Tree Hill stands apart from other tv shows for me is that it’s not simply just another teen drama all about back-stabbing and sex. Instead, it focuses attention on deeper issues in order to impact people’s lives in a positive way. For example, it was the first of many shows to take the plunge and do a school shooting episode, which for good reason, caught everyone’s attention, and I think, changed many lives. One Tree Hill also brings emphasis to every day issues, and character qualities that we should all strive for, through it’s story lines, such as love, death, relationships, depression, infertility, guilt, forgiveness, patience, hope, integrity, peace, the importance of family and friendships, etc. The cool thing is that people can all relate to this show in various ways. Because more than likely throughout it’s 187 episodes, One Tree Hill has hit at least one issue you’re struggling with. It has indeed hit close to home for me in more ways than one, and has helped me through numerous hardships. As a result, I believe it has made me a better person.
4. It has made me a total film geek.
Ever since getting the opportunity to travel to Wilmington for the first time to watch One Tree Hill film back in August, I have become increasingly interested in film, and everything that has to do with it. So interested, that I added a film minor (yes, to my nursing major…), but I could not be more excited. I stood there for hours just captivated by the lighting, camera movement, directing, etc. I also spent a lot of time talking with various crew members (sweetest crew EVER, by the way), and asking them all about their jobs. When I went back to Wilmington in October, it was the same thing. I will forever be grateful to One Tree Hill for sparking this interest of mine, because it has brought me so much joy. Also, I blame OTH for the compulsion to analyze every single thing I watch now, so there’s that. ;)
5. Last but not least, it has given me friends for life.
This, for me, has been the greatest and most unexpected blessing this show has brought me. It all started just back in August (so, only 8 months ago!). Woah. I had been on twitter for a while by that time, but I had never connected with anyone who shared this interest of mine before. About a week before I headed out to Wilmington with my family in August, I connected with someone who is one of my dearest friends now, who was also going to be there when I was! Then, I met a few amazing girls in Wilmington. From them I met more people, and it just kept going! I could not be more thankful for the close friends this show has brought me (you girls know who you are :)). I cannot even imagine my life without them. It boggles my mind to think that just eight short months ago, I had none of this. If it weren’t for this show, I would not have had the privilege of meeting girls who I have no doubt, will be my friends for life. Seriously, I still cannot comprehend all of this. Wow…
Well, I better stop now before I write another 539570 paragraphs. Thank you, One Tree Hill, for everything. I will “always and forever” be grateful for all the unexpected blessings you brought me.
