5 Personal transformation lessons from ANTM
There are many roads to the same destination and many vehicles for personal transformation. Surprisingly enough, Tyra Banks’ America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) is one of these. I say surprisingly enough because I watch it to satisfy my shallow side so I was astonished at how much there is to learn about personal growth from this show.
We have just completed cycle 9 in the UK (congratulations Saleisha!) and felt compelled to share what I have learnt or what growth lessons have been reinforced by ANTM.
Natural ability is not enough
You would be forgiven for thinking that a pretty face, nice figure and being photogenic were all that is required for being a model, however this is not the case. Every cycle starts with 10 or more girls with the right “equipment” and there are always a few that really stand out as natural models, these are very rarely the winners. In fact they tend to be given chance after chance as the judges can see their potential. However, since they cannot see it within themselves fear takes over and they are eventually sent home.
Horrid people are simply hurting inside
Take 10-14 girls in their late teens and early twenties, competing against each other for a lucrative modelling contract - of course there will be jealousy and bitchiness. There are always a few that are just plain nasty to everyone else and are constantly talking about how they see everyone as their competition. Everyone else sees a bitch but Tyra sees someone in pain. Take Jenah who people did not warm to and found sarcastic, Jenah felt defensive that her personality was constantly under fire in a modelling competition. Tyra broke her down and it emerged that she had raised her sisters and had some issues around that stopped her from being fully present to the experience. She had a good healing cry (and so did I!) and had gained an awareness that there was something to work through that was holding her back in life.
Complacency leads to mediocrity
Some girls start really strong, impress the judges and start to get complacent thinking they’ve got it in the bag. As the girls improve each week, they get left behind and instead of standing out start to get lost in the crowd. They are now mediocre and on their way home. The fact is if you are good at something don’t rest on your laurels, aim for excellence and always improve. There is no standing still, there is only going backwards.
Don’t let your fears be bigger than your desires
These girls are being called forth to play big, to be not just any old model but America’s Next Top Model! We’ve all heard of the fear of success and it is on this program in bucketloads. You can see when someone’s fears are bigger than their desires, it comes through as low self-esteem, low confidence and worry. Their fear and uneasiness comes through in their pictures and they sabotage themselves by not doing as well as they are capable of.
What you focus on expands
Emotions run high as the girls are moving from playing small to playing big. A lot of them say things like “I just don’t wanna mess this up”, “I don’t want to go home yet”, “I don’t want to see anyone else take my dream” and various other stuff that gives energy to what they do not want to happen. The winners tend to hold it together more and talk about being the next top model.
There are lessons everywhere and since I am into practical spirituality, love the lessons from popular culture. Which popular TV programmes do you get practical life lessons from?
In love, light and abundance x x x
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Alex Blackwell:
Great points and very good examples. Sometimes we create “not” contracts with ourselves; i.e. “I don’t want to lose,” etc. As you point out Lola, it’s far better to focus on what we do want, rather than what we don’t want. Thanks for this important reminder.
Posted on April 29th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Lorraine Cohen:
Great metaphor Lola
We can make snap judgments about how we view people because we react to the surface rather than looking at what’s beneath.
We bring who we are into evry experience. That’s why the inner work is so important. Good reminders for us all.
Nice article m’dear
Glad to have you back!
Cheers,
Lorraine
www.powerfull-living.biz
Posted on April 29th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Lola:
Thanks for the comments guys
Alex - We too often are focussed on the opposite of what we desire and it just creates lots of energy around what you don’t want. However, this can also be a good starting point for us if we use our “not” contracts to show us what we really want.
Lorraine - It can be hard to be open to the pain someone’s in when you are under attack from them, but if we’re not then we’re simply sinking to their level. I’m with you all the way, inner work is where it’s at!
In love, light and abundance x x x
Posted on May 6th, 2008 at 10:47 am