Normally I am not a huge fan of reality TV, but my wife and daughter are in love with it. Since I love hanging out with them, I often spend time watching shows like American Idol and What Not To Wear.

Since I started blogging on the issues of personal growth and development, I tend to think about everything I do a little differently. This weekend, of all things, I was struck by some of the foundational truths Stacy and Clinton were sharing on TLC’s What Not To Wear.

1. If you want something better, it is going to cost you
   Of course, they were talking about the cost of clothing, but this proves true in many areas of our lives. The cost of personal growth may be cash money, but it is just as likely to be discomfort, time, energy or failure.
   
2. You deserve to look/be better
   One of the key mantras on What Not To Wear is that no matter who you are, you deserve to look fabulous. You also deserve to be fabulous. Realizing that you are an incredible person with a unique set of talents and a job to do while you are here is one of the first steps toward growth.
3. There is no unimportant time or place
   People who put themselves in Clinton and Stacy’s hands frequently excuse their shoddy dress by saying “It was just at the supermarket/gas station/local tavern. It doesn’t really matter”. The hosts constantly remind their guests that there is no unimportant place. You should always put your best foot forward, regardless of the circumstances. You never know who you might meet when you make that midnight grocery run. Your next business or life partner may be in the next aisle, waiting for you to walk by looking and feeling on top of the world.
   
4. It is OK to be nervous, but you can’t let it stop you.
   Many of the people who are recruited for this show are very nervous about changing their style. They know they need it desperately, but so much of their identity is tied up in their current look that changing is almost painful. Clinton and Stacy use a good combination of firmness, encouragement and humor to guide their guests into a new world of personal style. We can be the same way. We know we need to change, but we have a lot invested in who we are today. By using the same tools as Clinton and Stacy, we can help ourselves move forward into a new and more powerful life.
5. No matter your hair color/size/body shape, there is a style for you
   I am amazed at the compassion Stacy and Clinton show for people who come on their show with some sort of physical shortcoming. The person may be overweight, have a large or small bust, or have tightly curled out of control hair. The guests are never made fun, never put down. I have never heard Stacy or Clinton say “Wow, it is going to be hard to find a style for you”. Whoever you are, whatever you look like, whatever your life experiences, you deserve to be treated with the same respect. Not only that, but no matter what, there is a place for you in the world. There is a person for you, a job for you, a passion for you. Don’t let any small minded fearmonger tell you any different.

You don’t always have to look at ancient texts or attend deep workshops to find truth in this world. Sometimes it is waiting for you in the most unlikely places. Thank you Stacy and Clinton for playing guru for an hour in my life. I definitely learned something from you this weekend.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 20th, 2007 at 10:04 am and is filed under success, thought, habits, transformation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed, bookmark the Permalink in your Browser, leave a response, or trackback from your own site.