Bruce Mcbroom/Tri-Star/Kobal/ShutterstockA very happy birthday to Meg Ryan today.
The actress with the inimitable smile and the crinkle in her eye that made her one of America's sweetest sweethearts is another year wiser—and considering her best movies are worth celebrating every day, we figured now was the time to take stock of the gifts she's given us through the years.
Because when you break it down, Ryan hasn't just starred in some of the smartest and most quotable romantic comedies of all time. Her characters were actually speaking some major truths—sometimes without even saying a word. Or, at times, while speaking many words!
Meanwhile, Ryan of course has more than rom-coms to her name, though let's just say that when she gets serious, she gets intensely serious (The Doors, When a Man Loves a Woman, In the Cut, Flesh and Bone), and those films tend to be detailed primers on what to avoid at any stage in life.
For instance, no matter how clear the road looks ahead, and no matter that you ride a bicycle every day to your job as a heart surgeon, don't do this:
But overall the sunny star's most enjoyable films aren't just funny, adorable and picturesque.
They're packed with timeless life lessons, and here are 11 notions to set your girl-power compass by, straight from the Meg Ryan school of filmmaking:
Sometimes the best feel-good remedy is to hit the club and dance, especially if your unreliable boyfriend has been rendered microscopic and is navigating a space capsule that's been injected into Martin Short's body:
If you're so inclined to take off after a purse snatcher, because it's a sunny day in Central Park and you're feeling spry...
But make sure you've got backup, and if it comes in the form of Hugh Jackman on horseback, so be it.
Of course indulge in the cheese plate, but beware that this could very well happen:
French Kiss also reminded us to never leave our bags unattended and do conquer your fear of flying in order to get your awful ex back—but only if he ditched you for a French girl. Because only then will you meet a dashing French thief with designs on breaking into the wine-making business.
It's all relative, but let Albert Einstein play matchmaker—his theories tend to turn out.
Maybe don't do this in public:
But definitely do order what you want—in life. No need to compromise your standards and, since actually knowing what you want is half the battle, never settle for the proverbial warm pie with whipped cream from a can.
Maybe skip the kiss from the old man you've never seen before who just shows up at your wedding, because that will cut your risk of having to go on your honeymoon while possessed:
Return your emails in a timely fashion:
She didn't not decide to jump in the volcano for Joe, but jumping in and seeing what happens is truly what life is all about. Bubbling lava never required.
In fact, leaps of faith, especially when it comes to romance, are pretty much our girl's specialty...
Happy birthday, Meg—thank you, as always, for teaching us the important things about life and love.
(Originally published Nov. 19, 2015, at 6:30 a.m. PT)