America's Next Top Model

Day 1

It has begun! 

I had to dedicate this post to one of my favourite shows. I don't watch a lot of television but I never miss an episode of Americas Next Top Model (thanks to the series link I have on my Tivo box of course!) 

I just wish it was more popular here in the UK! 

We're currently half way through Cycle 20 which I believe is the first cycle that has incorporated both female and male models. One contestant I really took a liking to was Nastasia from Cycle 19. Maybe it's because her name is similar to mine and I absolutely loved the colour of her hair.  

Speaking of modelling contests I actually won one in 2003, I was only 8 but still remember it like it was yesterday! 

Having watched ANTM since I was a little girl it has taught me some precious things about beauty and self image that go way beyond what people see when they look at me. As stunning as many, if not all, of the models are in their photos their behaviour backstage truly shows just how beautiful they are. It is here where inner beauty shines or sadly fades away. 

It's in these 'backstage' scenes where we see the models fight, argue, shout, manipulate, bully and talk down to other contestants. Its in these backstage scenes where we see that the models personalities don't match the beauty of their facial features. Of course this doesn't go for all the models but a surprisingly large number of them. 

So here's where I share with you some words of wisdom. Everyone wants to look nice, but as you grow older your outer beauty will fade, you'll gain wrinkles, your hair won't be as thick as it used to be and those clothes that really compliment your body shape now will begin to lose there appeal. However, one thing will remain the same and that's your personality.

How beautiful are you on the inside?

Do you respect yourself and others around you?

Do you try to see the good in all situations?

Are you a good friend?

Do you bring people down or lift them up with your words?

Have you ever seen a couple and thought one was so much more attractive than the other? And  then a thought probably crossed your mind that they could do "so much better". But have you stopped and thought that there's no universal standard for beauty? But also that beauty actually starts from the inside? That you can fall in love with a person purely because of their kind heart and generous nature. 

"It's beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart"

If only we just spent the minutes we use putting on make-up and fixing our hair on reflecting and actively trying to change those parts of our being that are 'ugly' we'd all be better people. I know I can be so moany at times and thats definitely not a characteristic that I want to dominate my personality. 

I want to be beautiful from the inside out. 

Do you?