Eight short years ago a particular cartoon about magical, multicolored horses aired for the first time. And in that time they’ve waxed about the importance of many marvelous morals like sharing, caring, compassion, etc. But there is one very important central theme, integral to the entire show, and that is change, and how it is never too late to redefine yourself.

Whether you are a ten year old filly with an oppressive parental figure, or a ten hundred year old princess struggling with self-love, there is hope for you. The franchise itself underwent a considerable change; from a pop culture punchline to a pop culture punchline but now one that is also a beloved pop culture phenomenon that has inspired so much genuine good and wonder. Heh, I’m sure you’ve all heard me say countless times how many friendships and acts of good this show has inspired, and it’s all still true!

This is something that I love about the show. Even the characters that had lost all faith in the world or in themselves, no matter how hopeless or helpless they felt, still always had that chance to change, to make the difference, to turn it all around and be a force of good. I think that’s a pretty nice thing to believe in.

So a toast: to change.