by Karolyn Hart

Slightly touselled hair? Check!
Shiny glossy lips? Check!
So skinny that people aren’t sure if I am sexy or need to eat? Check!
Ready to convince people that I’ve got it all? Check! Check!
Ready to change the world? errr……

I normally avoid watching scantily clad women prancing down a runway but the other night as I was flipping aimlessly through the channels a peppy song with some really cool danders caught my attention. ( Those Ting’s Ting’s - their “Hey Mickey” like song “That’s not my name” made me stop.)  I was watching the dancers when it cut over to some models and I realized it was the Victoria’s Secret fashion show.

Now I have to say that I am truly NOT a hater.  I’ve read a few articles about the show. Some are scathing and some are glowing.  I watched and found myself  split in two.   Most of the girls were just stunning but a few actually made me cringe with how skinny they were. As I watched them walk I asked myself “Seriously, how can anyone find that pretty?”

It made me wonder when a grown women’s body stopped being attractive? I mean the type of body found in the 1950’s complete with wonderful curves!  It seems today’s fashion trend in North America says that “sexy” is a woman who looks like a tall 12 year old. 

 I know of a few women right now who are starving themselves to try and achieve this look.  Ladies,   if you are in your late 20’s or older and forcing yourself to try and be 100 pounds - PLEASE don’t. Don’t buy into this lie.  While you may feel good because you look like the girls you see in these shows it doesn’t mean you actually look good.

Most people will agree that if ever there was one woman that embodies sexiness it would be Marilyn Monroe.  During the course of her lifetime Marilyn’s wait fluctuated between 118-140 pounds.  Dress sizes have become smaller since her time but if she lived today she would have been comfortably wearing a size 12! To me that is fascinating, especially when we live in a world where people aim for a size 0.

I finished watching the show and was pleased to see that Heidi Klum (Mother of 3) was toned and healthy looking.  I thought to myself “Good for her!” However, as I turned off the TV several thoughts ran through my head. 

It was interesting to me that as the models came off the stage they were hooping and hollering like they had just accomplished something HUGE.  In a way they had - the good Lord knows that I would never be caught walking down a stage in front of millions of people in my “unmentionables” as my grandmother calls them.  Forget THAT!  I did however feel sad for the girls as I realized that for some of them this could be the “biggest” thing they ever do in their life.

In fifty years from now they will look different and people will not remember this show.  Their beauty will fade and what will they be taking with them into the future? 

It is THIS message that I wish was promoted to every women.  Whether you are super model or a super mom - the value you bring to this world has little to do with how you look.  Your true value has everything to do with who you are,  who you want to be,  and what you ultimately become.  If you only focus on the outward appearance then you can be rest assured that your value is limited to a very short window of time.  As soon as your looks decline your a gonner! However, if you focus on what you can give back - your value can continue to multiply even when you are no longer on  this earth!

 We can all be guaranteed that the fashion trends and images of beauty will be changed in the future.  Just as they have changed since the 1950’s.  I wonder how we would change this world if we put the same amount of energy into transforming our communities in which we live as we do obessing over our appearances? What would happen if we decided to take a portion of the time spent on shopping, manicures, hair colour, or facials and instead dedicated it to making a difference?

I think if we all did this that we may even find part of the secret to true happiness and  that’s a secret that I know Victoria would want to share!

Filed under: Author Karolyn, Beauty