As I sit here, staring at the screen, writing this article, I think back to how I began to enjoy ponies. It’s not really an interesting story, nor is it really much of one to tell, but I do know one thing. I can explain, in great detail, no less, what this wondrous show has taught me, being 20 years old, living alone, and losing friends by the armfuls.

To start out, let me explain that before I had begun watching My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, I noticed I really didn’t care about much. I had too much worry in what people had thought of me, and I let those thoughts dictate what I would do each day. If someone had thought that I was no fun, all because I didn’t want to party that night, I’d change my mind, and I would go out to party anyways, always disregarding my own personal feelings on the subject. If someone were to mention to me that the way I looked was horrible, or my color co-ordination was off with my clothing, I would go out and buy new clothing to try to fit in. I wasn’t exactly an original person, even though I had a blossoming and very creative mind in my teen years. I cared way too much about what others thought of me, and I still believe to this day, that it was just that which had led me to being so uncomfortable in my own skin throughout High School.

The day I finally decided to watch MLP:FiM, from a broadcaster, and friend’s suggestion from my online radio station which will not be named, I had pretty much given up. I had lost all my friends, and shut them out of my life, because I didn’t want to be told how to change anymore, and I didn’t want to feel unaccepted anymore. Watching that first episode put me into a state of realization that had given me a spark of justice and restarted my will to begin reassembling my pride. As I watched other episodes, I began to re-learn life lessons that I had long forgotten. Friendship really isn’t about who should lead who, or who can win what in how many seconds. It’s not about forcing someone to do something they don’t want to, or making fun of them because they are a certain way. Friendship is about a kind of global compromise between each friend involved. Whether it be just staying inside with said friends and having a drink, or going out and just having fun walking around and talking with your friends with a coffee in your hand, it should mean the world to you. Those are the moments you can’t give up. Those are the moments you should be living for, and those are the moments you will cherish as you grow.

I reminisce on the times where I had originally learned all these life lessons years ago, and it actually saddens me, that so many people have forgotten what being a friend really is. It hurts to know that being a friend to some people, is just a way to say “Hey, I’m popular, worship me!” It’s not only using the person who trusts you, but it also leads to losing friends. So basically, what I’m saying is that MLP:FiM, has retaught me that friendship really is magic. It picks you up when you are down, and it keeps you going in the right direction, with the right people, provided that in this day and age you can find them.

Don’t give up your friends, especially if you would take a bullet for them, and you know they would do the same for you. Learn to compromise with them, and learn that it’s not just your way that is the right way, but instead, make it a joint effort on all parties. Enjoy your friendships, because you never know how long they really last.

~Sonic Beats/Sapphire Lightning