For two decades, Spongebob Squarepants has delighted and inspired fans with adventures direct from his pineapple under the sea. Since launching on May 1, 1999, the Nickelodeon series has become a cultural phenomenon, spurring a series of beloved memes, an upcoming spinoff series, and even a run on Broadway.
This weekend, Nickelodeon marked Spongebob's 20th anniversary with a television special, and in celebration of the milestone, we're taking a look back, remembering the moments filled with F.U.N. that taught us some seriously important life lessons.
It's OK to fail.
Securing a boating license wasn't exactly easy for Spongebob. Despite the numerous unintended accidents that occurred during his boating test and the disbelief/annoyance expressed by his teacher, Mrs. Puff, our favorite animated sponge never gave up on learning how to drive. Sure, Spongebob Squarepants didn't ever really get the hang of boating, even after 20 years of living in Bikini Bottom, but he did remind us that it's OK to fail. Sometimes, multiple attempts are needed to secure the goal you want, but as Spongebob demonstrated, you should never give up.
Believe in your dreams.
Every resident of Bikini Bottom truly embraced who they were as individuals. Whether you choose to bust out a Squidward-inspired interpretative dance or you want to live out an eternal dream of being a hero like Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy, the characters of Spongebob Squarepants always remained true to their hopes and dreams. Sure, Patrick may never be able to use mayonnaise as an instrument, but his dedication to the sandwich spread served as an eternal reminder of the importance of believing in yourself.
You can always count on your friends.
Spongebob had Patrick, Mr. Krabs had Mrs. Puff, and Squidward, well he had his clarinet. As each episode so beautifully demonstrated, your friends — and even the neighbors who might get annoyed by your bubble blowing — will always be there for you. You might not need someone to help you sell an entire box of chocolate, and maybe you won't rely on anyone to give you a mere 25 cents for bubble lessons, but as the residents of Bikini Bottom taught us, you can always count on those near and far to get you through life.
Don't forget to have fun.
Above all else, Spongebob taught us to always have fun. The animated sponge seemed to find enjoyment in every activity he ever completed, and even when things got overwhelming or he needed a moment to cry about a customer that wouldn't take his Krusty Krab pizza, Spongebob still found a way to dust off the sand and continue on. Spongebob taught us to find what you love, to seek out the good, and to somehow turn everything you do into an enjoyable activity filled with F.U.N.
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